225. Can the Outdoor Industry Really Call Itself a Climate Leader?

In this solo episode, I reflect on my experience attending the Switchback Event and unpack a question I can't seem to shake: Can an industry built on perpetual growth truly call itself a climate leader?

I explore why climate communication often falls short—even within companies that publicly champion environmental values.

And this episode also takes a more nuanced look at the historical values that continue to shape outdoor recreation today.

Rather than offering easy answers, this episode invites listeners to wrestle with the difficult questions that too often go unasked.

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Sources & Further Reading

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis – Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account: https://www.bea.gov/data/special-topics/outdoor-recreation

Prosperity Without Growth by Tim Jackson

Less Is More by Jason Hickel

Nature Climate Change (2024): "The climate majority" (Andre et al.): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-01925-3

Dr. Renée Lertzman, The Courage to Attune: https://reneelertzman.substack.com/p/the-courage-to-attune

Episode 153 with Ali Wines: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outdoor-minimalist/id1586174667?i=1000673036238

Episode 165 with Bray Beltran: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outdoor-minimalist/id1586174667?i=1000684664165

GDP Research on Decoupling: https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2025/92-of-the-global-economy-is-decoupling-emissions-from-growth

LinkedIn discussion that inspired this episode: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/megcarney_i-attended-the-switchback-event-in-new-orleans-activity-7475197240173744130-zdgT