Here is a beautiful fact: the world-wide middle class is growing exponentially. Across the globe, with an increase in access to technology–and thus, opportunity–standards of living are rapidly rising. Which is an amazing social feat.
However, though this is no-doubt one of the greatest accomplishments of the human race, this also means that carbon emissions are also rapidly rising, as more and more people seek a more comfortable (and consumptive) lifestyle. One of the sources of these increased carbon emissions is the rise in airplane travel. For so long, aviation travel was limited to the most economically fortunate eschelons of society. Now, airplane tickets are relatively affordable, which makes foreign travel a viable option for hundreds of millions of people the world over.
Take China for instance. On page 60 of Hot, Flat and Crowded, Thomas Friedman remarks how,
In 2006, more than 34 million Chinese traveled abroad, a 300% increase from the year 2000, according to Foreign Policy (July-August 2007). By 2020, 115 million Chinese are expected to vacation overseas, which will make them the largest bloc of tourists in the world and will certainly drive more airplane travel, hotel bookings, gasoline use, and CO2 emissions…China alone intends to construct more than 40 large airports over the next several years. In the US, the number of annual airline passengers, already approaching 1 billion, is anticipated to double by 2025. Greenhouse gases from planes could rise to as much as five times curret levels.
Now no one is saying DO NOT TRAVEL. It is an exciting and amazing thing that so many people today can experience different parts of the world, and encounter so many different opportunities. However, the environment can not afford that increase in carbon emissions. The solution: not a stop in travel, but rather a change in the way we travel. The solution lies in Ecotourism.
As Nick wrote in his blog post “Growing” Tourism, the past extravagances of travel (such as indoor skiing in Dubai and golfing in the Palm Desert) seem a bit obsolete now as the extent of their environmental strain becomes clearer and more unjustifiable. Travelers seem to be catching onto the changing tides in the tourism industry and hopping on the ecotourism jet stream, heading for more eco-friendly ventures such as adventure tourism and agritourism. For example, during the week I was in Ulaa on the organic farm, there was a group of Spanish tourists staying in Ulaa’s eco-friendly lodges. When asked if they were enjoying themselves, they explained that YES, when they are on vacation they much preferred to embark upon wildlife vacations filled with the nature that they miss in their daily city/office lifestyles.
The Spanish tourists pointed out an interesting point of view: ecotourism, while being healthy for the environment, can also be healthy for the travelers. It is important to not remove ourselves too much from nature, as we are, afterall, dependent upon nature. Ecotourism journies can help us regain that balance and literal breath of fresh air that we so need and that at times can be so hard to come by. So, it really is true that while you can help the world through ecotourism, you can also help yourself.
Right now, the pioneer volunteers Aleigha and Maria are doing just that on the Educational Ecological Service Trip in Tulum. They are staying in the energy efficient Zahra cabanas, where mosquito nets protect sleepers rather than chemicals and electricity stops buzzing at 11 pm, when it is not really necessary anyways. The girls have made their stay eco-friendly, and also their activities, as today they are snorkeling through cenotes and learning about plant-life and animal-life in the beautiful Tulum Bioregion. they will come away from this experience more aware of their natural surroundings and more aware of how to better interact with the environment. Meanwhile, they are traveling through sunny Mexico, swimming in the Caribbean sea waves and walking through the beach sands. Bettering the world and bettering themselves. Remember, contact me at sarahannmaxwell@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in a future Educational Ecological Service Trip to Tulum!!!
the eco-friendly rooms in Zahra cabanas
the beach outside of Zahra cabanas
the beautiful Caribbean Sea
