CLIMATE CHANGE AND TOURISM: THE ULTIMATE CATCH 22

Table of Contents

Travelling the world and seeing its majestic beauty in person is an endowment. In times past, a journey meant several months of debilitating, prolonged travel; dependent upon the mode of transport available. Modern technology and conveyance methods have made it possible to travel all across the globe in a matter of hours or days. Giving rise to the popularity of going to exotic places; tourism has emerged as a globally profitable industry over the century.

The symbol of joy today is travel. There is a wanderlust that infects the blood.

Rollin A. Sawyer

The Thriving Tourism Industry

With every airline, hotel, destination, and travel company offering discount deals, exclusive travel, and holiday packages; the globetrotters of today have an array of destinations to see. Social media platforms enable real-time sharing and possible recounting of happenings; which is the new norm in communication. More and more travel bloggers, photographers, tourists, vacationers, couples, families, business people, and persons from every profession travel today for various purposes. According to an article on integrallc.com, a forecast of 1.6 billion tourists is expected by 2020.

This industry serves as a binder for economic stability, good business, and cultural inclusion across all fronts. The UN World Tourism Organisation statistics say that in 2017, China was the high-roller in tourism; spending nearly $258 million. The value of touristry is undeniable, and Travelhouseuk always supports and advocates sustainable tourism. We provide you with the best travel packages to any destination of your choosing. Book your flights to Australia, Africa, or China; by contacting our representatives. Tourism is vital for generating revenue as it leads to a flourishing economy worldwide. It must be promoted to cater to a sense of community and harmony as well. Moreover, tourism attracts attention towards endangered habitats that, in return, brings investment for conservation of said habitats.

Repercussions of Tourism

Although expanding rapidly, it is dependent upon weather more than any other industry. Most of us work hard and earn our vacation time; unless you’re loaded or your occupation allows you to travel frequently. So every holiday we take becomes a consumers’ fiesta. It’s a psychological cycle; we tend to go all-out on our vacation, to try and recuperate from months of hard labour. This behaviour pattern often leads to irresponsible and extravagant tourism habits. After all, we want to enjoy our holidays as much as possible. It is precisely why the most popular tourist destinations in the world have become carbon cloud zones and are almost too crowded or deteriorated. Let’s face it; not all of us are responsible tourists; we tend to leave a noxious mess behind us. This carelessness kills the environment; how then can natures’ ecosystems survive damage for long? According to research by the University of Sydney; between 2009 and 2013, tourism caused the carbon footprint to increase from 3.9 to 4.5 billion tones of CO2. It equals 8 % of all greenhouse gas emissions. According to Arunima Malik; researcher at the same:

We estimate that a business-as-usual scenario will increase the carbon footprint from tourism to 6.5 gigatonnes by 2025.

Travellers often choose the optimum times to fly; when the climate is favourable for sightseeing, and destinations have all attractions open. This preference has led to a phenomenon known as ‘Overtoursim’. Visitors in hordes come to clichéd destinations and tend to leave behind a mess, negatively impacting their indigenous habitats or local population.

Consequences of Climate Change

We all know and have repeatedly heard how global warming is gradually destroying the planet and life on it. It stands to reason that we contribute to it massively, as the ratio of carbon emissions is ever increasing. Adjusting weather patterns will also change tourism trends in the future. Often disaster-stricken areas face a lag in tourist interest, and attributing to adverse weather conditions; worsened habitats and damaged landscapes.

An alternate to remedy this degradation was the introduction of ‘Eco-Tourism’. Defined as “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people”; according to The International Ecotourism Society, in 1990.

Some argue that Eco-tourism is an oxymoronic venture; as travellers going to pristine areas take long-haul journeys, which in turn is more damaging than local travels. Overall, the carbon footprint does not cutback, and the benefits meant for the local population are curtailed. Most spots for respite are closeby to natural habitats, landscapes, or water sources. When the surroundings fall under impact, tourism here suffers first. Coastal and island destinations are prone to attracting the wrath of nature more with changing weather patterns. Beach erosion, cyclones, tornadoes, flooding, storms, biodiversity loss, and rising sea levels are some of the results of climate change. As the allure of these places will decrease with atrophy, tourism will sink progressively. Not to mention the increasing pollution of the environment is a major contributing factor to ecological change.

Counter-measures for sustainability

Herein lies the real dilemma; if the balance of the environment disrupts, it leads to the fall of the tourism industry; whereas the increase in tourism will eventually negatively affect the environment. It’s a perfect catch 22. Both create a paradoxical situation; where both are ultimately inevitable.

Some countries have found solutions to remedy the extreme effects; increasing tourism fares or banning photography and restricting access to reduce traffic. Realising the environmental impact of thousands of people bustling in an exotic location; many organisations have created laws and pacts to minimise the detrimental effects. One such, of utter significance, is the Paris Agreement; which states long term global warming must be limited to under 2 degrees Celsius. Not taking into account the global CO2 emissions from transport modes seems a bit negligent; due to which the actual estimate to environmental marring is not accurate. Until an official worldwide standard is established, this problem will persist; and requires extensive research in the transport, tourism, and biodiversity fields.

Other contemporary approaches include the concept of ‘Responsible’ or ‘Sustainable’ Tourism. The primary focal point of these is prevention and sustainability. It focuses on recycling; using renewable, biodegradable, sustainable energy sources; diminishing greenhouse gases; choosing eco-friendly food and drink options; and above all; hoisting a sense of responsible contribution to the environment. Every single one of us is answerable for the environment, and we must contribute in whatever capacity we can to safeguard it. An example is the Shambala Festival; an all-inclusive audience enjoys without leaving the place in total disarray. The time to act is now. We may not be advanced enough to completely save the ailing earth, but we can be diligent to help slowly cure it.