There may well be 'a world of untapped potential' but there is also a very serious drought making a right old mess of peoples lives out there. Not a few weeks of drought either, 4 years and counting! Seemingly caused by climate change: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/3/madagascar-is-on-brink-of-first-climate-induced-famine-un-warns

It is a very long way to fly (circa 20 hours from NY) and produces almost 4.5 tonnes of CO2 pp each way if travelling from the US: https://www.clevel.co.uk/flight-carbon-calculator/#s-two

Much more if travelling from the West coast.

I do normally enjoy the Friday night video, but this leaves a bitter taste :-(

I agree with you, Mark. And I'm talking as someone who, in the past, has indulged in flying to some far off places. I can't help but wonder how the desire to explore our fantastic Earth can be squared with the damage caused by fossil fuel-based climate change? I find it hard to berate others and lecture when I've been part of the problem as well. I have only flown once (to Mallorca) in almost a decade but once flew about five similar flights in one year in the nineties when cheapo flights arrived.

We just have to learn and evolve. I looked at taking my family to Madagascar for all sorts of reasons, but do not see a way that I can do that now unless we travel by train etc etc. Luckily I get excited by climbing in a different county these days. We've had 50 years of cheap flying. Now we need to move on.

I'm the same as you. Its interesting that these global trips are now starting to be seen as a bit grim. I feel like the shift in view has happened since lock down, has that perhaps made people more content to live their lives near where they live? Hopefully.

I wonder how soon the pressure on brands to be environmentally aware will lead to sponsored climbers not going on aeroplane trips anymore