Dear Traveler,
We have some exciting news to share — it's intangible, but really important.
As the effects of climate change increase, it's clear that travel is a major contributor. One roundtrip flight from the United States to Europe emits as much carbon, per person, as six months of driving.
Because Rick Steves' Europe encourages (and profits from) international travel, we think it's time we took responsibility for our impact on the environment. Staying home isn't the answer: Travel is an important way to better understand and contribute to the world we live in. That's why we're introducing our Climate Smart Commitment.
Experts figure that it takes a $30 investment in climate-smart initiatives in the developing world to offset one person's carbon emissions from a trip to Europe. Considering that we took 30,000 travelers on our tours last year, we rounded up the total cost to $1 million. Starting in 2019, and every year moving forward, we'll invest that amount in a portfolio of nonprofits that fight climate change and help the people it's hitting hardest.
Now, whether you join us on tour or use our resources to plan your own adventures, you'll have the peace of mind that you're supporting a carbon-neutral company. Read more about our Climate Smart Commitment — and our thinking behind it.
Together, we can help the next generation enjoy the same happy travels we have.
Rick Steves |
