Frequent Travelers, Climate and What To Do: Travelers Share Their Thoughts

A team of researchers from California State University, Monterey Bay; Texas A&M; and San Francisco State University surveyed travelers about their knowledge and thoughts about climate and travel, exploring barriers and opportunities to supporting climate when traveling.

A total of 752 surveys were completed between March-June 2021 by respondents accessed through Tomorrow’s Air and Adventure.Travel (60% of respondents) and Climeworks (40% of respondents) databases.

Learn the details behind these key findings and more in this 28-page report:

• Frequent travelers in this study say they are highly concerned about climate change: 68 percent say it is a threat to the world; 58 percent say it should be given top priority
• Forty percent of respondents said they plan to be carbon neutral in their travels within the next five years
• When asked what support they need to overcome barriers to climate action during travel, 60 percent said affordability and 43 percent said education 
• 73 percent say they’re noticing when travel providers use more fuel-efficient / electric transportation, adopt electricity, heating, and cooling efficiencies, and sustainably sourced food
• Carbon removal remains mysterious: of the 34 percent of respondents who commented on carbon removal, eight percent shared concerns or revealed misconceptions about the process.

Research prepared by Paige P. Viren, Ph.D., Daniel G. Pilgreen, M.S., Aritree Samanta, Ph.D., Mandalyn K. Kime, B.S.