In 2022, there were 963 million international tourist arrivals worldwide.
That’s 963 million opportunities for the travel industry to be a positive influence and drive transformative change. More specifically, that’s 963 million chances to increase knowledge about the realities of the climate crisis in vivid and unforgettable ways and inspire dedication to protecting the planet and fighting for climate action.
If you spend any amount of time searching online for travel experiences designed to provide education specifically about climate change, there continues to be an underwhelming amount of information and options.
But at least a handful of thoughtful travel companies and tour operators in business today have begun crafting tours that integrate first-hand education or exposure to the environmental challenges unfolding worldwide as global temperatures warm and weather patterns the world over make dramatic shifts.
From journeys that bring travelers to Iceland to witness and learn first-hand about glaciers that are rapidly retreating in the face of warming temperatures to citizen science projects that allow travelers to participate in research and data collection about the changing planet, to itineraries that include traveling alongside educators, scientists, and individuals with Ph.D.s, here are some of the emerging ways travel companies are shining a light on the serious challenges facing the planet in an attempt to inspire climate action.
1.Earth Watch, Climate Change in the Mackenzie Mountains
Earthwatch offers an inspiring number of thoughtfully designed tours that delve deep into the climate crisis. From the Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge tour to the Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park trip, and Climate Change in the Mackenzie Mountains, Earth Watch provides a unique variety of ways to engage in thoughtful travels alongside scientists and Ph.D.s in order to learn more about our fragile planet. The company also offers tours focused on ocean health, and wildlife and ecosystems.
Its 11-day Mackenzie Mountains tour in particular, takes travelers to the majestic Mackenzie Mountains, a range that forms the border between Canada’s Northwest Territories and the Yukon. An area that’s on the front line of climate change, participants will use sophisticated equipment to collect data about permafrost and soil—work that helps reveal global-warming-related changes in the region. Additional activities include monitoring the status of the tree line, and record information on native plant species, says the company’s website.
There will also be time spent observing native mammals and birds in this striking and beautiful region. And here too, there’s a climate change-related purpose: travelers will record when and where animals are spotted and how many are observed. By helping researchers learn all they can about this fragile environment now, travelers will be helping to preserve it for the future, says the company’s website.
2.Global Family Travels, Immerse in Iceland’s Dynamic Geology: A Transformative Adventure to Inspire Climate Change Action
A trailblazer when it comes to crafting trips designed to illuminate the challenges unfolding around the world, Global Family Travels offers an immersive, living science experience in Iceland.
The nine-night trip provides the opportunity to explore the beauty of Iceland’s landscape and learn about how climate change has impacted the country’s geography, how warming ocean temperatures are threatening some local wildlife and of course, take an up-close look at the heartbreaking retreat of glaciers.
That’s 963 million opportunities for the travel industry to be a positive influence and drive transformative change. More specifically, that’s 963 million chances to increase knowledge about the realities of the climate crisis in vivid and unforgettable ways and inspire dedication to protecting the planet and fighting for climate action.
If you spend any amount of time searching online for travel experiences designed to provide education specifically about climate change, there continues to be an underwhelming amount of information and options.
But at least a handful of thoughtful travel companies and tour operators in business today have begun crafting tours that integrate first-hand education or exposure to the environmental challenges unfolding worldwide as global temperatures warm and weather patterns the world over make dramatic shifts.
From journeys that bring travelers to Iceland to witness and learn first-hand about glaciers that are rapidly retreating in the face of warming temperatures to citizen science projects that allow travelers to participate in research and data collection about the changing planet, to itineraries that include traveling alongside educators, scientists, and individuals with Ph.D.s, here are some of the emerging ways travel companies are shining a light on the serious challenges facing the planet in an attempt to inspire climate action.
1.Earth Watch, Climate Change in the Mackenzie Mountains
Earthwatch offers an inspiring number of thoughtfully designed tours that delve deep into the climate crisis. From the Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge tour to the Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park trip, and Climate Change in the Mackenzie Mountains, Earth Watch provides a unique variety of ways to engage in thoughtful travels alongside scientists and Ph.D.s in order to learn more about our fragile planet. The company also offers tours focused on ocean health, and wildlife and ecosystems.
Its 11-day Mackenzie Mountains tour in particular, takes travelers to the majestic Mackenzie Mountains, a range that forms the border between Canada’s Northwest Territories and the Yukon. An area that’s on the front line of climate change, participants will use sophisticated equipment to collect data about permafrost and soil—work that helps reveal global-warming-related changes in the region. Additional activities include monitoring the status of the tree line, and record information on native plant species, says the company’s website.
There will also be time spent observing native mammals and birds in this striking and beautiful region. And here too, there’s a climate change-related purpose: travelers will record when and where animals are spotted and how many are observed. By helping researchers learn all they can about this fragile environment now, travelers will be helping to preserve it for the future, says the company’s website.
Glacier in Iceland – Blue icebergs floating in the lagoon
Glacier in Iceland – Blue icebergs floating in the lagoon (Photo Credit: Getty/ LeoPatrizi)
2.Global Family Travels, Immerse in Iceland’s Dynamic Geology: A Transformative Adventure to Inspire Climate Change Action
A trailblazer when it comes to crafting trips designed to illuminate the challenges unfolding around the world, Global Family Travels offers an immersive, living science experience in Iceland.
The nine-night trip provides the opportunity to explore the beauty of Iceland’s landscape and learn about how climate change has impacted the country’s geography, how warming ocean temperatures are threatening some local wildlife and of course, take an up-close look at the heartbreaking retreat of glaciers.
“From beginning to end, this new trip to Iceland (which is appropriate for travelers from 8 to 80
years old) was created to educate participants about our changing climate and inspire them to
take up the cause, spreading the critical message about the need to protect this planet we call
home,” says Global Family Travels founder and CEO Jennifer Spatz.
Want to learn more? Read the company’s blog about the trip. There’s also an informational webinar that provides more details about this impactful itinerary.
“By the time you leave Iceland you will truly know the impacts of climate change, how to treat the environment in a sustainable way and hopefully have some ideas about what you personally can do to minimize your impact and help mitigate climate change,” says Spatz.
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