Climate

Climate

Landscape image showing the impact of Climate Change

The climate crisis is both the easiest and the hardest issue we have ever faced. The easiest because we know what we must do. We must stop the emissions of greenhouse gases. The hardest because our current economics are still totally dependent on burning fossil fuels, and thereby destroying ecosystems in order to create everlasting economic growth.

–Greta Thunburg

In this reflection on our changing climate and our resemblance to the frog in the warming pot, we must also consider the impact of travel. As globetrotters, our journeys contribute to carbon emissions and environmental degradation, further exacerbating the challenges posed by climate change.

However, travel also presents an opportunity for positive change. By embracing sustainable practices and supporting eco-conscious initiatives, we can minimize our carbon footprint and mitigate the environmental impact of our adventures. From opting for eco-friendly accommodations to choosing low-emission transportation, every decision we make as travelers can contribute to a more sustainable future.

As we navigate the complexities of our changing climate, let us not overlook the role of travel in shaping our collective impact. By traveling responsibly and advocating for sustainable practices, we can help ensure that future generations inherit a planet that is vibrant, resilient, and teeming with life.

  • North of the Arctic Circle, Norway’s Henningsvær plays to the strengths of its surroundings. Framed by dramatic, jagged mountains and the icy Norwegian sea, this Lofoten fishing village attracts hikers, climbers, cold plungers, and divers alike. Two of these divers — Norwegian couple Matias Nordahl Carlsen and Alexandra Anker — repeatedly zip up their dry suits for more than just sport. Since the pandemic, Carlsen and Anker have been repurposing self-collected sea urchins into colorful table lamps. The idea began when Anker accidentally illuminated a decorative sea urchin with her phone flashlight while working at Henningsvær Bryggehotell. The result? Lofotlys, which serves a role in both Henningsvær’s business ecosystem and Norway’s environmental one.

  • Gliding silently through the winding channels of the Okavango Delta, I felt a bit nervous. Our mokoro canoe, a type of dugout canoe skillfully guided by a local poler, sliced through the murky waters as we navigated past water lilies. But the large pod of hippos standing at the shore not too far away dampened the soothing atmosphere. The remaining serenity was suddenly broken by a loud splash and grunt – a reminder that we were sharing these waters with some of Africa's most formidable creatures.

  • Climate change was one of the main factors Plunkett McCullagh presented to his family when he pitched using part of the family’s inheritance from selling their countryside pub to found Heyday Chalet, a new coliving spot for digital nomads in Morzine, France.

  • The tallest paddy plant in the world, Pokkali grows up to 2 metres, with its grain-bearing head staying above the brackish flood waters that inundate coastal Kerala every year, where rising sea levels and frequent floods pose imminent climate threats.

  • As 2020 comes to a close we remember the late author Nigel Watts and the eerie predictions he made about this year in his 1995 novel "Twenty Twenty". Nigel's predictions are shared through the voice of his widow, Sahera Cohen.