World Hum’s Most Read: May 10-16

What We Loved This Week: ‘The Zen of Bobby V,’ ‘When the Levees Broke’ and Arriving With Our Baggage

How Bad is the Violence in Mexico?

Tony Horwitz Blogs From the Road

Tony Horwitz: Rediscovering the New World

Ben Keene talks to the author of the new book “A Voyage Long and Strange” about travel, American myths and the importance of visiting places where “history happened”

In Patagonia, In Patagonia

Tim Patterson packs his fleece and long underwear, and enters the Twilight Zone where corporate branding meets the multilayered reality of place. 

Should I Quit Law School so I can Travel the World?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

‘The Worst Guidebook Writer Ever’?

Lonely Planet author Robert Reid reviews Thomas Kohnstamm’s “Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?” and weighs in on the controversy surrounding it

Have a Hockey Night in Canada

From Montreal to Sault Ste. Marie, the sport is the country’s greatest passion. Eva Holland explains where to go to indulge—and who you need to know.

Promised Land Closed

And other odd and unlikely signs from around the world. Aficionado Doug Lansky, editor of the book “Signspotting,” recounts his 10 favorites.

10 Sizzling Hot Travel Tips From Sir Francis Bacon

Rolf Potts repackages the 17th century philosopher’s ‘Of Travel’ essay in the manner of a 21st century magazine feature

Are ‘Climate Tourists’ Wreaking Havoc on Fragile Land?

I am so glad to finally see someone asking this question. As a travel industry veteran, I truly believe that when these trips were conceived, it was indeed to expose people to a problem that previously went largely unnoticed. We are far, far past that point now. These trips are officially a part of the problem. The travel companies need to recognize that, and act accordingly.

As I actually live in Greenland, I feel the need to make some comments here: First of all, it is true that we do have “sub-zero temperatures in Greenland, but that doesn’t keep tourists away as they come to experience dog sledding and northern lights in winter time for instance.

In summer, we do have temperatures occassionally exeeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit in Kangerlussuaq (West Greenland), which happens to be both the hottest spot in summer time and the coldest in winter time. This is no news.

It is true that there is a paradox with people who travel to Greenland to experience global warming, but if we try to look at the bright side of it, it might actually make people think again and change their energy consuming habits once these travelers return to their home country.

In Greenland, what we are trying to do is to make Greenlanders aware of their own role in global warming, but also to look at what might be the benefits for Greenland.

For instance, the cod is returning in Greenland waters, which is good for the fishing industry. And as glaciers in Greenland retreat, mining companies can exploit areas that previously were inaccessible.

In other words, I think the debate about global warming needs to focus less on the worst-case-scenario-debate, which has been current and dominating for a long time.

And let’s try to be more realistic about the travel industry’s responsibility in regard to this question. Tourism is in fact the biggest business in the world, but regulations and actions to emit less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere needs to be taken first of all by governments - like the US.