Holiday hotspots in Europe and North America are being ravaged by heat, fire, floods and drought as fossil-fuel pollution warps the climate. Travelling to reach those destinations by plane or cruise ship emits more planet-heating gases than most individual actions. High temperatures and smoke make many destinations uncomfortable and unhealthy, and some travellers experience guilt about the emissions from their trips. The concept of flight shame failed to gain mass traction, and Covid lockdowns inflicted only temporary harm on aviation, which received large public bailouts. Traveller numbers returned to pre-pandemic highs in 2024, and most of the industry remained optimistic despite emerging warnings.
Where shall we go on holiday? would not, ideally, be a stressful question. But the world in 2025 is far from ideal, and summer breaks in Europe and North America are no exception. Holiday hotspots are being ravaged by heat, fire, floods and drought as fossil fuel pollution warps the climate and travelling to reach them in planes or on cruise ships spews far more planet-heating gas than anything else you and I are likely to do.
(Rocket enthusiasts such as Katy Perry and Jeff Bezos, I assume, have not yet subscribed to Down to Earth.) It's hard to relax by the beach in 40C heat with the stench of smoke fouling the air. For some travellers, a nagging sense of guilt will further sully what they hoped would be a break of mindless bliss. We have already entered the beginning of the age of non-tourism' Daily temperatures reaching 45C have caused destructive wildfires throughout Spain's Ourense province.
Collection
[
|
...
]