186. What Climate Change Means for Adventure Travel with Leigh Barnes

We've discussed the many issues with travel on this show before, and while travel is never really that "good" for the environment, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't ever do it.

Instead, I believe that we as travelers can and should find better, more environmentally friendly ways to travel, and the travel industry should lead the way.

That's why in episode 186 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we're looking at one of the biggest challenges that face the adventure travel industry: climate change.

If you've spent time on the trail, paddling rivers, or exploring wild places lately, you've probably noticed things are changing quickly. From record-breaking heat waves to trail closures due to wildfires and floods, the landscapes we love are under much pressure.

But while it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges, there's also a growing movement within the travel industry to do better — to adapt, give back, and rethink what it means to adventure responsibly in a changing climate.

To help unpack this, I'm joined by Leigh Barnes.

Leigh serves as President of the Americas for Intrepid Travel, a world leader in responsible travel for 35 years. The company's mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips, all designed to truly experience local culture.

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Leigh oversees Intrepid's fastest-growing region globally. Over the past decade, he's held several leadership roles at Intrepid, including Chief Purpose Officer and Chief Customer Officer.

Leigh has been instrumental in embedding purpose into the company's product, storytelling, and brand—from launching First Nations experiences in Australia and the U.S. to pioneering industry-first Ethical Marketing Guidelines.

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Intrepid Travel

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