Tourism is responsible for no less than 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, an unprecedented study conducted in 160 countries revealed. This figure is 3 to 4 times higher than the figures observed in previous studies. The study had been conducted by researchers from the universities of Sydney, Queensland, and Cheng Kung and its published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The study states that global tourism is not happening without any consequences to the environment. By 2013, it’s estimated that about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions would have been produced. There is a steady increase in the carbon footprint by the tourism department. It has increased from 3.9 to 4.5 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide between 2009 and 2013.
In 2008, WTO (World Tourism Organisation) had calculated the share of tourism in global production of greenhouse gases to be 3%. The new research includes this time, adding to that the transportation, all goods and services consumed by tourists(housing, food, shopping..)
See also:4 Hopeful Inventions in 2018
“Our analysis is the first attempt to assess the true cost of tourism globally, which includes consumer goods such as food and souvenirs, and is an assessment of the life cycle of the imprint. Global tourism carbon to ensure we leave no influence go unnoticed,” said Arunima Malik one of the authors of this study to BBC.
The study says that the travelers from developed countries are the ones who pollute the most. The countries with the highest carbon footprint are the US, China, Germany, and India. The research also has shown that the carbon footprint of the travelers from Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark is higher when they are traveling abroad.
Arunima Malik further explained that tourists who came from high-income countries paid more for flights, shopping, and housing, but if they had come from lower-income countries, they would tend to take public transport and buying unprocessed food, the expenses differed according to the economies of the respective countries.
Islands with strong tourism potential are among the most affected ones. For the 30 to 80% of annual emissions happening in the Maldives, Cyprus and Seychelles are due to the tourism activities. These islands at the forefront of tourism map are in a vicious circle of global warming and the rising waters.
The demand will go on increasing in the tourism industry. In the five years, on the globe, spending on tourism has increased from 2500 to 4700 billion dollars. By 2025, this sector’s greenhouse gas emissions will have reached at an estimated 5 to 6.5 gigatonnes/ year.
As the tourists flock in not only from the West but also from countries like Brazil, India, China, and Mexico. As the number of tourists increases, greenhouse gas emissions in the tourism industry also increases. Unfortunately, nobody can offer a miracle solution for this problem.
Some Steps to be taken from the part of tourists and the authorities as suggested by the authors of the study
1. Avoid air travel, go for terrestrial or maritime transport.
2. Introduce carbon tax on air travel.
3.Immediate introduction of new technologies or measures by the states and the industries in the tourism sector to stop skyrocketing of global Co2 emissions.
So the Governments must be vigilant enough to curb the carbon footprint increase by keeping a check on unbridled tourism.
Post Your Comments