Issue No. 37: A World in Hot Water 🌡🔥

Hey Outsiders! 🌡️🌊 Issue No. 37, we're bracing ourselves for the scorching impact of climate change as July 2023 sets a record as the hottest month ever recorded. 🔥 From relentless heatwaves sweeping through the US and Europe to shocking hot tub water temperatures in Florida, the consequences of rising global temperatures are becoming alarmingly apparent. 🌡️☀️

On another front, we'll explore the RV industry's journey through a rollercoaster ride, from a pandemic-induced boom to a post-pandemic slowdown. 🚐🧭 With RV shipments down nearly 50% in the first half of the year, the industry is now faced with the challenge of adapting its strategies to sustain growth and appeal to evolving consumer preferences. 🌐🚀

Let's go! 🏞️🦌

— Scott Crowder

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🔥🌊 Melting World: Global Heatwaves, Hot Tub Oceans, and Shrinking Sea Ice 🌡️ 🌊

The heat is on! July 2023 has officially become the hottest month ever recorded, sending climate scientists into overdrive. From prolonged heatwaves in the US and Europe to soaring hot tub water temperatures in Florida, the consequences of rising temperatures are becoming increasingly apparent.

☀️🌊 Warm Oceans Fuel Natural Disasters: Soaring sea surface temperatures are intensifying natural disasters worldwide, from hurricanes to wildfires. In the Antarctic, sea ice is vanishing at an alarming rate. Climate scientists are closely monitoring the "six sigma" deficit in sea ice. This critical situation in the polar region raises further concerns about global warming's impact on sea levels and climate regulation. As climate scientists remain on high alert, addressing the loss of sea ice and its implications is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and mitigating the effects of climate change.

🐠 ☠️ Coral Catastrophe in the Florida Keys: The Florida Keys are facing a heartbreaking situation, with coral reefs facing a potential 100% mortality rate due to rising ocean temperatures according to a coral reef restoration group. Rising ocean temperatures and environmental stressors have led to coral bleaching and death, threatening marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.

🚨🥵 A World in Hot Water: Urgent Action Needed: It's time for us to face the reality of climate change and its far-reaching impacts. From renewable energy to conservation efforts, we must come together to find sustainable solutions and safeguard our planet for future generations. It's not just about staying cool—it's about creating a brighter and greener future for all.

🚐 🧭 RV Industry: Navigating a Post-Pandemic Bumpy Road 🚐📍

The RV industry, once booming during the pandemic, is now facing a bumpy road as the world returns to normalcy. 🌐 Demand for recreational vehicles soared during the pandemic as people sought safer and more flexible travel options, but now the industry is seeing a decline in shipments, according to a report by RV Pro, RV shipments declined nearly 50% in the first half of the year. 📉 To adapt, RV manufacturers and dealers need to pivot, embrace sustainability, and cater to changing consumer preferences. 🔄

A study by LendingTree revealed the interest in RV loans and boat loans has increased significantly, reflecting the enduring appeal of these recreational options. Between May 2021 and May 2022, interest in purchasing an RV surged 14.8% — and then rose another 7.1% between May 2022 and May 2023. 📊 However, this increased interest hasn't necessarily translated into sales at the same level, signaling potential challenges in converting curiosity into purchases. 🤔

The RV industry's pandemic boom demonstrated its incredible potential for growth. 🚀 Now, with the world recovering from the pandemic's impact, and economic uncertainty, it's time for industry players to reimagine their strategies and adapt to a new landscape. To navigate the post-pandemic slump, the RV industry needs to chart new routes to success. Emphasizing sustainability, offering innovative features, and targeting new demographics may be key factors in driving future growth. 🗺️

Business, Industry, & Economy:

🏔️📊 Garmin Takes a Step Forward: Garmin, known for its navigation devices, announces the opening of the Firstbeat Analytics Lab, a move into the wearable tech frontier. The lab's data-driven approach aims to enhance outdoor experiences, offering adventurers new insights for their excursions.
🇺🇸🏕️ KOA Celebrates Successful Fourth of July: Good news for the camping industry as Kampgrounds of America (KOA) reports that Fourth of July camping was equal to last year, indicating a strong comeback in outdoor travel. With more people seeking adventures in nature, the camping sector is showing promising signs of recovery.
🚣🗺️ Paddleways Launches Navigation App for Paddlers: Paddle enthusiasts rejoice as OnWater and NRS collaborate to release Paddleways, the first-ever navigation app for paddlers, providing essential tools for waterway exploration. This innovative app is set to revolutionize the paddling experience and enhance safety on the water.
💼💰 Vista Outdoor's Strong Start to FY24: Vista Outdoor, a prominent player in the outdoor industry, reports robust first-quarter FY24 financial results, signifying positive growth amid post-pandemic challenges. As the company continues to thrive, it's a testament to the enduring appeal of outdoor activities and the industry's resilience.
⛷️🌨️ Ski Industry's Resilient Thrive: FESI Sports reports on how the ski industry impressively thrives amidst multiple challenges including mild weather, snow scarcity, energy crisis, and geopolitical turmoil. Demonstrating resilience, ski resorts are adapting to changing conditions and innovating to keep winter sports enthusiasts hitting the slopes.
🌞👩‍💼 Balancing Employee Downtime in Summer: Fast Company explores 3 ways companies can strike a balance between employee downtime and productivity during the summer slowdown, ensuring that employees recharge while maintaining workplace efficiency. Finding this equilibrium is key to maintaining a motivated and happy workforce.
🏕️🚐 Camping World's Milestone #200: Camping World continues its expansion, acquiring the assets of Breeden RV and celebrating the opening of its 200th RV dealership. This achievement highlights the company's growth and the increasing popularity of recreational vehicles and camping in today's market.
🏞️🌱 Leave No Trace Partners with U.S. Commercial Service: Sustainable travel takes center stage as Leave No Trace and the U.S. Commercial Service join forces for Sustainable Travel Awareness Month. Together, they aim to raise awareness and promote responsible travel practices, ensuring that travelers can explore nature while preserving its beauty for generations to come.
🚗⚡ BrightNight Unveils Rivian's Electric Adventure: Nature Conservancy collaborates with Rivian to spotlight the potential of electric vehicles in conservation efforts. BrightNight, an electric adventure series, explores how electric vehicles can revolutionize fieldwork and environmental conservation, showing that sustainability and exploration go hand in hand. (Source: The Nature Conservancy)
🎙️🏔️ Podcast Explores Solutions to Mountain Towns' Recreation Challenges: In a thought-provoking podcast episode, experts delve into the challenges and innovative solutions facing mountain towns' outdoor recreation. As outdoor enthusiasts seek adventure in these scenic locales, finding a balance between conservation and recreation becomes paramount for sustainable and thriving communities. (Source: Apple Podcasts)
🧗‍♂️📱 Climbing Meets Tech - Kaya Climbing App on the Rise: GearJunkie highlights the emergence of Kaya, a climbing app dubbed the "Strava for climbers." As the app gains traction among climbers, it's reshaping how the climbing community connects, competes, and shares their outdoor adventures.
🚗⚡ Auto Industry Revs Up Competition: Business Insider reports on car companies planning a Tesla Supercharger rival charging network. With the rise of electric vehicles, automakers are accelerating efforts to build robust charging infrastructure, aiming to reshape the landscape of electric mobility and cater to the growing EV market.
🩴🏄‍♂️ Reef's Turnaround in Business and Surf: Footwear News explores the impressive sales turnaround of Reef, a surf-inspired footwear brand. As the company reinvents its approach and strengthens its connection to the surfing community, it's riding the wave of success in the footwear industry.

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Sustainability, Conservation, & Environment:

🌞💡 Solar-Powered Canals in California: Fast Company reports on an innovative project that aims to cover canals in California with solar panels. This forward-thinking initiative harnesses renewable energy while addressing the state's water infrastructure and sustainability challenges. (Source: Fast Company)🌆🔥 Urban Heat Island Effect: The Washington Post explores the urban heat island effect and its disproportionate impact on cities during heatwaves. As extreme temperatures continue to rise, this phenomenon poses challenges for urban planning and sustainability efforts.
🎣📊 Data-Driven Fisheries Management: ADN advocates for data-driven fisheries management as a crucial step toward ensuring sustainable practices for future generations. By using data and technology, we can better protect marine ecosystems and maintain thriving fisheries for years to come.
🌿👗 Fashion's Sustainable Transition: Adweek explores how marketers play a crucial role in accelerating the fashion industry's sustainable transformation. As consumers demand eco-friendly choices, brands must embrace sustainability to remain competitive and align with evolving consumer values.
💚💼 The Bottom Line of Sustainability: Entrepreneur delves into the positive effects of sustainability on a company's bottom line. As businesses increasingly embrace eco-friendly practices, they not only contribute to environmental preservation but also enhance their financial performance and attract conscious consumers.
🌍🌳 Celebrating World Nature Conservation Day: CNBC TV18 discusses the history, significance, and theme of this special day dedicated to raising awareness about nature conservation. It serves as a reminder of our responsibility to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices for a greener future.
🔥🏃‍♂️ Protecting Trails During Fire Season: Trail Runner highlights the efforts of Protect Our Winters Trail Alliance in navigating the challenges of fire season. As wildfires pose a threat to outdoor spaces, the alliance's initiatives focus on safeguarding trails and promoting responsible trail-running practices amidst changing climate conditions.

Health, Wellness, & Fitness:

🏞️📚 Discover the Power of Vitamin N: The USDA Forest Service presents "Vitamin N" as a transformative document promoting nature's benefits for human health and happiness. Dive into this valuable resource to understand the positive impact of nature on our daily lives. This initiative encourages connecting kids with nature to foster their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

🏔️🚫 REI Tackles Racist Design: Triple Pundit sheds light on REI's commitment to addressing racist design in outdoor spaces. Through its "Outside In 5" initiative, the company is actively working to create more inclusive and diverse outdoor experiences for all.
🌡️🏙️ Urban Heat Analysis: KERA News reveals a new analysis highlighting the severity of heat in cities. As temperatures rise, this study underscores the urgent need to address urban heat island effects and implement sustainable solutions for urban environments.

Travel, Tourism, & Hospitality:

🇨🇦🔥 Canada's Wildfires Affect Tourism: The New York Times highlights the devastating impact of wildfires on Canada's tourism and outdoor activities. As the fires continue to rage, the tourism industry faces challenges, underscoring the importance of environmental conservation and responsible travel practices.
🎣🌳 Tracking America's Outdoor Pursuits: Fishing Tackle Retailer dives into the latest trends in outdoor activities in the US, providing valuable insights into how Americans are embracing nature and exploring various outdoor pursuits. From fishing to hiking and more, this report showcases the diverse ways people are connecting with the great outdoors.
⛷️❄️ Unseasonal Rise in Ski Bookings: Travel Daily Media highlights the top five trends in unseasonal ski bookings. As travelers seek unique experiences and year-round adventure, ski resorts are seeing a surge in bookings during unconventional seasons, reshaping the traditional ski industry.
🔥🌍 Europe's Mediterranean Climate Crisis: Adventure.com explores the impact of heat and wildfires on the Mediterranean region due to climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent, this article sheds light on the urgent need for sustainable practices and conservation efforts to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

Government, Grants, & Policy:

📚🌿 Outdoor Policy Resources: REC Pro provides a valuable SCORP Library, offering a wealth of outdoor policy resources for enthusiasts and stakeholders alike. Whether you're interested in conservation, public lands, or outdoor recreation initiatives, this collection is a valuable tool for staying informed.
🏕️🚫 No Toxics Tent Act Advances: California Outdoor highlights a significant legislative achievement as the No Toxics Tent Act passes the Assembly floor and moves forward to the Senate. This crucial bill aims to address environmental concerns related to outdoor equipment and promote safer outdoor experiences for all.
💔⛰️ House Proposes Cuts to Outdoor Programs: Outdoor Alliance raises concerns over proposed cuts to public lands, waters, and recreation in a recent blog post. The potential impact of these cuts could be devastating for conservation efforts and outdoor enthusiasts nationwide.
🤝🍁 Collaborating for Conservation: The Governments of the Northwest Territories and Canada join forces to support conservation policy-making. This collaboration highlights the importance of working together to preserve and protect the natural treasures of the region.
🌳📈 Gov. Walz's Outdoor Rec Expansion: Minnesota Governor Walz announces a multi-agency partnership aimed at expanding the state's outdoor recreation industry. With a focus on collaboration and growth, this initiative aims to boost outdoor experiences and drive economic benefits for local communities.
🏜️⛽ BLM Balancing Conservation and Industry: Deseret News delves into the delicate balancing act of the BLM, addressing the demands of conservation, oil and gas industry, tourism, and federal lands. As the agency navigates complex political landscapes, it aims to find solutions that benefit all stakeholders in the West.
🏞️🌲 Bipartisan Outdoors Act for Parks: Yahoo! Lifestyle reports on the introduction of the bipartisan Outdoors Act, a promising move to enhance national parks and outdoor spaces. With broad support, this legislation seeks to enrich outdoor experiences and preserve natural treasures for future generations.
🌄🎣 National Monuments: A Boon for Hunters and Anglers: The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) examines the net gain for hunters and anglers through the establishment of national monuments. By safeguarding vital habitats, these designations provide abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Products, Gear, & Gadgets:

💰🚀 Dioxycle Secures $17 Million in Funding: Tech.eu reports that Dioxycle, a promising environmental technology startup, has successfully raised $17 million in funding to turn CO2 emissions into sustainable products like clothing and packaging.. The company's innovative solutions are aimed at tackling environmental challenges, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
🐰🍻 Igloo x Looney Tunes - Cooler Collab Alert! Igloo and Looney Tunes team up for their first-ever cooler collaboration, starring the iconic Bugs Bunny. This cool partnership brings fun and nostalgia to outdoor adventures, combining the beloved cartoon character with Igloo's top-notch cooling technology.

Thought of the Week:

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