Vacay 2047
What will tourism look like in a world transformed by climate change?
Recent studies suggest Florida’s tourism industry could be devastated if the state continues its current path of climate change denial, delay, and incrementalism.
But as anyone living in Florida can tell you, a little thing like rising seas won’t deter our most sunburnt entrepreneurs from manufacturing postcard-perfect panoramas worthy of Instagram, even as the state sinks into the sea.
This story in five postcards offers one version of what that future might look like.
Original art by Nicklas Farrantello. Story and text by Joe Tankersley.
Laura’s Trip to Florida
Nine-year-old Laura could hardly contain her excitement when her parents told her they had planned a Florida vacation. Laura’s first. For Mom and Dad, the trip was supposed to be a chance to share childhood memories with their daughter. They imagined revisiting their favorite beaches and tourist attractions. What they found was a state transformed by superstorms, rising seas, water shortages, and scorching temperatures.
February 14, 2047
Day one of the trip
February 17, 2047
February 19, 2047
February 24, 2047
March 1, 2047
Join the Postcard Project
In phase one of Vacay 2047, we sent postcards to leaders in tourism, government, and media across Florida. Our goal is to provoke conversation on a topic that remains largely avoided by too many decision makers.
Reimagining the future of tourism in Florida requires an open conversation about all our needs, desires, and wants. It means facing the realities of climate chaos and acknowledging the role tourism plays in our economy.
If you’d like to be part of this effort,SIGN UP and we’ll send you a FREE set of postcards. You decide who needs to be reminded that Florida’s future is in our hands. All it costs you is a few minutes of your time (and five first-class stamps). Isn’t our future worth that?