We passionately believe that travelling over land and sea is an exciting and authentic way to see the world. If you've got guts, imagination, and a sense of adventure then this is the place for you.
The threat of climate change is now widely acknowledged and we're all in the process of realising how boldly we must act to avoid disaster. However, we see the necessary lifestyle changes as positive steps towards a healthier global society, and not suffocating restrictions on our freedoms. We invite you to share in our world-view. The world is our oyster.
Surface travel means adding to your list of destinations as you go. It means encountering weird and wonderful people and places that would otherwise have passed you by. Witness the transition of land and culture. Relax into the slow travel mindset.
We aren't puritans
We don't claim to be perfect; everybody involved with Loco2 has taken flights in the past. We understand that flying is the norm and will probably remain so for the foreseeable future. However, we see a contradiction between promoting an ethical approach to travel and failing to acknowledge the damage caused by flying. Carbon offsetting is not a sustainable way to deal with the problem posed by massive increases in flight numbers, and we think that fundamental behavioural change is the only sincere and lasting response to the challenge that faces us.
This is not an easy problem to confront. Lots of reports about the impact of tourism talk about environmental considerations on a local level, when the global nature of climate change means that it's irrelevant where in the atmosphere carbon is released. Of course, even without flying travelling causes the release of greenhouse gases and we'd be lying if we said that choosing a surface travel holiday was 'carbon neutral' (we don't really like the term anyway).
We are realists
We're caught between knowing that on one side global cultural exchange is precious, with travelling a big part of it, and on the other that our short-term actions are jeopardising all cultures in the long-term. We have thought long and hard about this dilemma and reached the conclusion that we cannot abandon travel; it is too important. But we will strive to limit the environmental impact, both by travelling less regularly and by the least polluting means. Travelling abroad should be about engaging with other cultures, rather than disengaging from your own. Escaping from the trappings of modern life can be done with a holiday close to home; an adventure of a lifetime cannot.
Many people within the travel sector are concerned that climate change will destroy the world�s tourist industry: people will either stop travelling or the effects of climate change will make it impossible. Panic gives way to denial, as the objectives of safeguarding the environment and supporting local communities conflict. This does not need to be the case. While a radical approach to travel is necessary, it does not need to stop altogether and can still be used to support local communities. We must acknowledge the scale of the problem if we are going to work towards a solution.
The cultural benefits that a new wave of surface travel could bring should not be forgotten. In a globalised world, linking people and places is about more than bypassing continents and societies by flying over them. The internet gives us an unprecedented opportunity to meet different people and share valuable experiences. It's an exciting time to be alive as we become one free and diverse network, all linked through technology.
We want to encourage a more authentic view of travel that acknowledges the impacts and challenges involved with exploring our vast planet. Embarking on a low carbon travel adventure takes guts, money, and determination, but will pay itself off a thousand times in the richness of experience it brings.