The travel industry is under scrutiny like never before. Thanks to worldwide student protests and activists like Greta Thunberg waking us up to the climate crisis, more people are questioning whether we should travel at all. The traditional justification for holidays – supporting a local economy and becoming a better global citizen — are waning as ice melts, rainforest burns and oceans clog up with plastic.
The Long Run has been acutely aware of this dilemma for a decade. While it promotes travel to far-flung corners of the world, it only champions destinations that make travel count. The Long Run now collectively protects over 21-million-acres of vital ecosystems, much of which would be decimated by urban sprawl and extractive industries if not for low-impact tourism.
Through the 4Cs, each Long Run member is committed to large-scale conservation projects, protecting cultural heritage, uplifting local communities and operating a sustainable business. As the climate and biodiversity crisis thickens, The Long Run is working with members to double-down on action, innovation, collaboration and impact.
So how does good travel help to fix our climate and biodiversity crisis, rather than contribute to it?
by HOLLY TUPPEN