Travel provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the world’s most remarkable ecosystems and natural treasures. Yet it’s no secret that travel can be a burden on the environment and the wild places we visit. But this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of ways that you can transform your impact on the planet and green your travels. In fact, when tourism is done in a conscientious manner, it has the power to create benefits for nature and wildlife. In honor of this coming Earth Day, we’re dishing up our top five tips for more eco-friendly travel.
Love taking photos of the fascinating critters you see on your diving or snorkeling trips? Follow these best practices to make sure you’re photographing responsibly and not harming marine life.
When dreaming of a tropical getaway, we often envision stunning coastal vistas and coral reefs teeming with wildlife. As visitors, these underwater ecosystems quench our wanderlust by providing a remarkable backdrop and playground for adventure. But coral reefs provide so much more than tourist gratification – they are incredibly important assets for the communities who live near them as well. About 40% of people live within 60 miles (100km) of the coast. Of these people, more than 275 million live in close proximity to coral reefs (within 30 km of reefs and less than 10 km from the coast). These nearby inhabitants often depend on reefs for their survival and well-being.
Guest Contribution by Dr. Robert Brumbaugh, Director of Ocean Planning and Protection, The Nature Conservancy
Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, contributing trillions of dollars to the global economy and supporting the livelihoods of an estimated one in ten people worldwide. Much of that tourism depends on the natural world—on beautiful landscapes and seascapes that visitors flock to in search of escape, a second wind, and a direct connection with nature itself. Coastal and marine tourism represents a significant share of the industry and is an important component of the growing, sustainable Blue Economy, supporting more than 6.5 million jobs—second only to industrial fishing. With anticipated global growth rates of more than 3.5%, coastal and marine tourism is projected to be the largest value-adding segment of the ocean economy by 2030, at 26%.
