Credit: Ralph Wetmore / Getty Images

Your chances of getting struck by lightning are pretty slim — only about 50 people on the planet die from lightning each year. But new research^[1] shows that the frequency of lightning strikes will actually increase in the coming years as the Earth continues to get hotter because of global warming. At the University of California, Berkeley, David S. Romps and his team looked into how changing elements in our environment could influence our activities in the future, and concluded that the number of lightning strikes will increase by 12 percent for every 1 degree Celsius the earth heats up. Romps and his team predicted that the rate of strikes will increase by 50 percent from 2000 to 2100. "For every 2 lightning strikes there were at the beginning of the century, there'll be about 3 at the end," says Romps.

That's because the hotter temperatures get, the more likely lightning will strike during a thunderstorm. Lightning thrives on hot air — which is why it's more common during summer months and in humid places like Florida, "lightning alley", and the south.

His team used information from existing global climate models — which contain climate data like how much rainfall there is per year — to deduce how often lightning would strike in future years. They measured the precipitation rate (to make lightning during a thunderstorm, you need water) and how quickly hot air rises in clouds. "It's the interaction between those different states of water that create lightning," says Romps. When they compared the products of their formula with the actual number of lightning strikes in the past, they found the numbers matched — meaning that future predicts might also be correct, too.

RELATED: 10 Climate Fixes We Can Take On Now^[2]

Though it's hard to say how this will actually play out, Romps says the increase in strikes could have some implications for campers, hikers, and nature-lovers. "If you're outdoors, you might worry about direct lightning strikes," Romps says. "The number of fatalities from the 1950s to 2000s has come down, but it's still a significant event for those involved, and their families." And while only 10 percent of people struck by lightning are killed, 90 percent are left with varying levels of disability or trauma.

More lightning strikes could also mean more forest fires. "We haven't done the rigorous research yet, but it is plausible that this increase will trigger more wildfires," says Romps. Half of wildfires are triggered by lightning strikes (the other half is caused by human activity), leading to destroyed habitats, homes, vegetation and crops. "What's worse, the wildfires triggered by lightning are the most difficult to combat because they can be triggered in areas far from fire stations," says Romps.

The increase in lightning is the result of changing factors in the environment that we need to be aware of, especially with our actions, says Romps. "The most important thing we can do is press for action on climate change," he says. As individuals, you can educate yourself on how the U.N. is brainstorming to confront climate change^[3] and join the conversation on raising awareness. "If we continue burning fossil fuels like we have, we're going to get substantial global warming, and this increase in lightning strikes will come part of the ride," Romps adds.

References

1. ^{^} new research (www.sciencemag.org)
2. ^{^} RELATED: 10 Climate Fixes We Can Take On Now (www.mensjournal.com)
3. ^{^} U.N. is brainstorming to confront climate change (www.mensjournal.com)

Credit: Björn Klauer / www.nordnorge.com / Longyearbyen

"The light is extreme, the weather is extreme, the nature is extreme," says Ronny Brunvoll, "That's why I love it here." Brunvoll has worked for four years in Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost settlement that warrants the term "town." Longyearbyen is tucked into the Adventfjord on Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

"Polar day" lasts from mid-April to mid-August, the peak tourist season. But Longyearbyen attracts hardy travelers seeking unusual experiences in a distinctive environment all year round.

Try dogsledding, fishing, or snowmobiling, then having dinner at Huset (The House). Established in 1951 as a gathering place for coal mine owners, managers and miners, Huset now houses upscale dining spaces, elegantly outfitted in Scandinavian Modern design, and a wine cellar rated among the top 300 in the world. Wealthy gourmands and oenophiles fly in to dine and imbibe here. For any visitor, an evening spent at Huset is worth swallowing the Norwegian prices in order to enjoy such arctic specialties as reindeer sausage, raw halibut and bearded seal.

Or consider kayaking on the fjord or hiking at any summertime hour in the tundra-clad mountains, then visiting Galleri Svalbard. Not to be missed are Kåre Tveter's ethereally lit paintings of far northern landscapes and the gallery's extensive Arctic map collection. The Svalbard Museum, which houses the tourist information center, is the place to head upon arrival in Longyearbyen for historical and cultural context as well as safety information.

In Longyearbyen, one does not blithely camp, hike, dogsled, kayak, bike or run, even within sight of the small town. In any season, survival gear is essential because the weather changes extremely fast. Having a local guide is not only wise, but also a great way to learn about this fascinating, often mystical, place and its people.

The headline grabbing extremes of Svalbard include arctic terns that peck people's heads and polar bears content to eat humans when they can't get their paws on the seals they prefer. Residents are required to carry rifles when outside the town center, to fend off polar bear attack.Defense against arctic terns is easier. Long red plastic poles are provided near the terns' nesting grounds in the fjord's delta. Holding the poles (or a fist, preferably gloved) straight up keeps the feisty flyers circling and diving but not pecking.

For defense against natural or human-made disaster, Longyearbyen is home to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the entrance to which juts from a mountain side. You will not gain admittance no matter who you are, but you can pay homage to the scientists who are preserving backups of the world's crop seeds, while you take in views of extreme natural beauty well worth protecting for future generations.

Credit: John Moore / Getty Images

By now, you may have witnessed (and hopefully experienced) the beauty of being in a TSA PreCheck lane^[6] at airport security. In blissful pre-9/11 fashion, passengers in the PreCheck line don't remove shoes, belts, or jackets, and have the luxury of keeping their liquids and laptops inside their bags. The standard metal detector is used instead of the invasive full-body scanner. On average, security agents can process twice as many passengers in PreCheck line than the normal lines.

Originally launched in October 2011, the program has expanded to 118 of the approximately 450 commercial airports in the US. New TSA centers are opening around the country to process applications at a cost of $85 for a five-year pass. In April, Air Canada was the first international carrier to sign on to the program. Of course, getting to your gate faster sounds great until you realize that being enrolled in PreCheck doesn't guarantee you'll always get to go through the coveted lane, since this is American bureaucracy you’re dealing with. Even after signing on to the program, you still might not be deemed trustworthy enough to get on every other flight.

Enter Global Entry^[7], the U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows you to swiftly pass the lines at Customs when re-entering the U.S., and now other countries like New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, and South Korea are also giving preferential treatment to Global Entry users when entering their respective countries. Pay the $100 fee (also good for a five-year span), fill out the application online, and wait for an interview at one of their airport locations (which can take up to six months at places like Boston’s Logan Airport). Once approved, you simply proceed to a Global Entry kiosk, scan your passport, verify your fingerprint, and off you go.

Here’s the kicker: Enrolling in Global Entry also qualifies you for TSA PreCheck as a “Trusted Traveler.” Once you receive your new Global Entry ID card, enter your Trusted Traveler number into your frequent flyer accounts. Look for the listing called “Known Traveler ID” and be sure your name on the Global Entry ID matches your airline profile. Do this correctly and, according to Ross Feinstein, Press Security for the TSA, you’re more apt to be chosen for the TSA PreCheck line. Indeed, strike up a conversation with Global Entry users at the airport bar and they’ll tell you they’re chosen almost 100 percent of the time for the PreCheck lane. Isn’t that worth the extra 15 bucks?

References

1. ^{^} Travel (www.mensjournal.com)
2. ^{^} Close (www.mensjournal.com)
3. ^{^} Share on Facebook (www.facebook.com)
4. ^{^} Email (www.mensjournal.com)
5. ^{^} Print (www.mensjournal.com)
6. ^{^} TSA PreCheck lane (www.tsa.gov)
7. ^{^} Global Entry (www.cbp.gov)

Credit: Old Town Outfitters

Guatemala has one of the world's highest densities of volcanic peaks, and four guys plan to kick off 2015 by climbing 37 of them in 27 days to benefit four charities in the Central American country. For a $100 donation, you too can join them. 

Volcanoes first brought Nico Marceca from New York to Guatemala in 2008, and he enjoyed climbing them so much that he returned to work as a guide for Old Town Outfitters in Antigua. In 2013, through a project with Old Town, he climbed a different volcano in Guatemala every month for six months, raising more than $100,000 for a charity that provides clean water to rural Guatemalans.

37in27^[1] grew from that success. This time, Marceca will be raising money for Ninos de Guatemala, which supports education for children in the country's Panchoy Valley and is bringing along a team of climbers with their own charities. Chicagoan Steve Cook, who left Morgan Stanley in 2011 to work at an orphanage in the Guatemalan jungle, will collect funds for Habitat for Humanity. Native Guatemalan Luis Galindo, a skilled guide and avid promoter of mountaineering in the country, will donate funds to Asociacion Q'ukumatz. German-Guatemalan Reinhard Miquel Arriaza will be supporting the Integral Heart Foundation, an NGO he works for that helps kids gain access to education.

RELATED: A Record-Setting Bike and Ski Expedition in the Cascades^[2]

The four will set off on December 31, 2014, spending the night on the slopes of 13,000-foot Acatenango to ring in the New Year watching fireworks from nearby towns and, possibly, neighboring Vulcan Fuego before summiting the following day. Fuego and Acatenango loom over the Antigua valley. "One of my favorite things to do is camp out on Acatenango's south ridge and watch Fuego's massive eruptions from a couple miles away," says Marceca. "That volcano has been erupting ever since the Spanish began recording it, and it had a world-scale eruption in 2012."

The group mapped out a route that hits 11 peaks higher than 10,000 feet, bagging multiple mountains on some days, and takes three strategically-placed rest days. In addition to Fuego, active volcanoes on the list include Pacaya and Santiaguito. The adventure ends with a celebration atop 8,373-foot Pacaya on January 25. Anyone is welcome to join the team on Acatenango, Pacaya, or Chicabal, a relatively easy climb up a sacred peak with a lake in its crater. A minimum donation of $100 will cover transport, entrance fees, food and, for the overnight on Acatenango, camping gear. Any excess funds will be donated to the charities and logged on the website.

These peaks are steep — a 45 percent slope is typical — and there are next to no flat areas. Given that and the high elevations, would-be climbers should plan on regular exercise between now and then to condition. "In all my experience guiding on the volcanoes, everyone is capable of reaching the summit," says Marceca. "It's really more of a mental exercise, accepting the challenge, understanding the terrain, and just enjoying the ride."

More Info: Marceca can put together customized packages for the climbs from $500 per person including the hike, hotel, and a sightseeing tour. He also can create week-long package; email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to work out details.

References

1. ^{^} 37in27 (www.37in27.com)
2. ^{^} RELATED: A Record-Setting Bike and Ski Expedition in the Cascades (www.mensjournal.com)

Michael Bodmann / Getty Images

There is no greater challenge for the cost-conscious traveler than saving money on rental cars. Rates vary significantly based on time of day, myriad discount codes, and existing reservations and you can't even be confident that you'll get the vehicle you want when you finally find the damn lot. Because of all the variables, it pays to study the rental business a bit and approach the rental process strategically.

First, bear in mind that almost all reservations can be cancelled without penalty unless the agreement specifically states otherwise. Prices can sometimes drop significantly a few days before arrival, allowing you to re-book and save big bucks on longer rentals.

Second, pay attention to the timing of your reservation. Most rentals are priced in 24-hour increments, and you could be charged half the daily rate if you go over just a little. Weekend rates kick in at specific times depending on the agency – and could go up or down. The bottom line: Changing your arrival or departure time by a few hours could save serious cash.

Third, exploit the fact that the cheap economy car you reserved online may not be available when you arrive. Ignore the upsell at the counter and you may get an upgrade for free. Or, if you have elite status with the company, remember to book a mid-size car for a complimentary upgrade to full-size.

Leverage Your Relationships

The most important step in renting a car is to sign up for the company's loyalty program, which will keep your information on file and usually let you bypass the rental counter at the airport. Once you have an account, you can also seek out elite status.

Regular promotions award one year of status for free, and some credit cards, like The Platinum Card from American Express^[1], include status with the three major brands. (Platinum Cardholders also get special discounts and, at Hertz^[2], a four-hour grace period to avoid late return fees.) Once you have elite status with one program it is relatively simple to match it with a competitor.

Elite status earns a discount on its own, but rental agencies offer a dizzying array of discount codes and coupons. You may be able to contact your corporate travel department to see if you're already eligible to use one. Discounts are also offered just for being a member of an airline or hotel loyalty program or joining organizations like AAA^[3] and Costco^[4]. Check online forums like FlyerTalk to find lists of discount codes that may apply to your situation. And if you have paper coupons, feel free to use them over and over. Most agencies don’t ask you to present them.

Re-Think the Traditional Rental Car

To arrive in style without breaking the bank, check out a new rental concept from Silvercar^[5]. Their fleet – currently based in Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, and L.A. – consists entirely of Audi A4^[6] luxury sedans with features like GPS, in-car WiFi, and satellite radio. A concierge picks you up at the airport, and paperwork has been replaced with a QR code on the windshield that you scan with your smart phone. These efforts to streamline the rental process help keep costs down, and at around $70 per day are much lower than renting a premium car from major agencies.

Find Cheaper Alternatives for Insurance

Insurance is one of the biggest add-on fees associated with rental cars and probably the least necessary. Not because you don't need insurance, but because you already have it or can obtain it more affordably.

Some of the discount codes mentioned above include insurance for free, but most people already have a major credit card that provides secondary insurance coverage that kicks in after your personal car insurance policy. Certain cards, like those affiliated with United Airlines^[7], offer primary coverage, reducing the chance of a claim that could raise your premium. American Express also sells Premium Car Rental Protection^[8] at a flat rate of $24.95 per rental (not per day) that covers many luxury vehicles.

Yes, renting a car is still complicated after all these steps, but you can save as much as half the cost by avoiding fees for stuff you don’t need and securing discounts on the rest. Practice your new skills well before you travel by booking and re-booking the reservation as you find more ways to save money.

References

1. ^{^} The Platinum Card from American Express (www304.americanexpress.com)
2. ^{^} Hertz (www.hertz.com)
3. ^{^} AAA (www.aaa.com)
4. ^{^} Costco (www.costco.com)
5. ^{^} Silvercar (www.silvercar.com)
6. ^{^} Audi A4 (www.audiusa.com)
7. ^{^} United Airlines (www.united.com)
8. ^{^} Premium Car Rental Protection (www295.americanexpress.com)