Scientific American takes a quick break from peddling climate doom to invite the special people to “Join Us! 2026 Solar Eclipse in Iceland/ Fire, Ice and Totality with Andrea Thompson”. Not for the first time, we wondered how you got to Iceland if not by aeroplane. So we clicked “Learn More” and sure enough it all starts “Upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport” and not by longboat, whereupon you “transfer to vibrant Reykjavik”. (Vibrant being a word employed to praise foreign cultures when nothing specific comes to mind.) But then you spew carbon to see “sustainable modern design” before experiencing other climate-virtuous attractions.

For instance:

“Discover geothermal innovation at Hellisheiði Power Plant, home to the groundbreaking CarbFix project turning carbon into stone, and learn how Iceland harnesses the Earth’s heat and runs almost entirely on renewable energy. Experience the benefits of Iceland’s rich geothermic possibilities with bread baked beneath the earth and a relaxing soak in geothermal hot springs at the Sky Lagoon.”

And also:

“Experience a total solar eclipse during a private viewing event at a lava-field basecamp – perfectly situated in the zone of totality – complete with expert commentary, music, and a celebratory dinner reception.”

Do not however ask awkward questions about the energy resources employed to get all that stuff to your exclusive chichi “lava-field basecamp” far from the hoi polloi and their vulgar eclipse-viewing. You are special.

Also do not ask what “almost entirely” means because nearly 1/6 of primary energy in Iceland comes from fossil fuels. It is special too.