The “code red” alert for the climate from the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report has implications for aviation, and we must act now.

There is growing awareness of the consequences of climate change. Last year the Pew Research Center surveyed people in 14 countries, amid the pandemic, about climate change.

At the heart of Responsible Travel and Responsible Tourism is the principle that better places to live are better places to visit.

We are a storytelling species. We use stories to make sense of the world and to educate our children.

There has been great optimism in the media that we will “build back better” after lockdown. It is a worthy aspiration. I also hope that we will. But will we?

The climate emergency is upon us. We need to reduce emissions faster, but we also need to cope with the consequences of our failure to act over many decades.

The challenge of climate change is characterised by scale and complexity. But, it is not seen as a clear and present danger; it is not seen as urgent.

The consequences of climate change are with us. Climate change is a real and present danger.

One of the recurring themes during the sessions for WTM Virtual and London Travel Week was the need for tourism to pay far greater attention to the biodiversity crisis.

The pandemic has caused WTM London to go virtual. WTM London this year is carbon neutral – well nearly.

Tourism’ future won’t be saved by cleaner aviation fuels or speedier quarantine processes. These just improve the current model. They get us back to getting bigger again.

While recognising that the pandemic is far from over and that many countries are experiencing a second wave, it is important to look beyond survival to recovery.

Last week I learned that 2020 is the second hottest year on record, after 2016. (For the record, that makes it the second hottest year in the last 100,000 years)

We can take steps to protect ourselves from COVID-19, but we cannot self-isolate from climate change.

SARS, MERS and Ebola originated in wild animals. There is a growing awareness of the links between animal health and the health of our planet.

COVID-19 maybe, for now, the new normal. But, there is some good news too.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, but it is unevenly spread around the world. In some countries the worst has passed for now, in others the situation is worsening.

The pandemic has hit tourism to Africa hard. The Gambia, in West Africa, has a population of just over 2 million, with many living in rural poverty.

Learning to live with the threat of COVID-19 will take time. As this month’s Responsible Tourism News goes to press some states in the USA are halting re-openings.

Last week I was able to interview Derek, I began by asking him about how important tourism was to creating a more just and equal society post-apartheid.

I publish Responsible Tourism News each month covering the major developments in Responsible Tourism.