Travelling the world: a sustainability issue?

We all love going on holiday. Or most of us do. What we don't like, is being told that when we're going on holiday, the majority of our actions have a negative impact on the planet and the people. At least, most of us don't like it, even if, I'll agree with you, some people do not give a shit. But we cannot be accountable for everyone (unfortunately).

WHAT'S THE ISSUE

I recently read that global tourism accounts for 8% of total global emissions. You might think that is not a lot. In a the grand scheme of things, it is definitely less that global transportation or agricultural-related emissions. Nevertheless, two things make this fact meaningful.

First, tourism is set to grow and concerns a wide majority of Western countries and some parts of Asia (once again, same folks polluting the planet, and same ones suffering from it; I'm thinking of you Africa). More and more people have access to cheap flights, relatively cheap accommodation, and definitely cheap and shitty tourist attractions once in the foreign country.

Secondly, tourism has not been included in any agreements concerning climate change. It has definitely not even been mentioned at the Paris Agreement in 2015 and seems to be, in general, the thing that nobody brings into climate discussions. Some crude answer to this would just be that everybody loves going on holiday, as previously stated, and that it's hard enough to have to tackle the waste issue and implement renewables, we are not going to think about the only thing that we have left to relax and take it easy twice a year. No, no, no.

Well, I mean, it depends on what matters to you of course. But if you read this blog, you probably understood (I hope so, otherwise this is an epic failure) that it's not by stopping your consumption of plastic bags only that you're going to save anything, even though that's a good and indispensable start. No, what's going to change something is changing your entire behaviour. Sonia Sodha in the The Guardian suggested that a trading mechanism (understand: a market) could be implemented so people have a limited amount of flights that they could take throughout the year (for instance 3) and then could trade them if they want to travel more or less. While I see where this is coming from, I don't actually think this is a good idea: I don't think market mechanisms work, especially for environmental matters (look at the EU-ETS. And if you don't know what that it, that's normal, just click the hyperlink and don't remain ignorant) and I hardly see how they would manage to force people not to fly more than three times a year. Furthermore and once again, the same people would benefit from it: it won't change anything for the richest and everything for the less rich (I assume you need to have a bit of money to travel anyway).

WHAT'S THE SOLUTION

I don't have a full-on answer on the matter and I don't think anybody does. However, I think that, like usual, keeping yourself informed is key to the wider and long-term solution.

Know where you're going: Indonesia has an incredible deforestation rate, while Costa Rica is going to become the world's first decarbonised society. Do your research.

You don't need to go far: if you're based in the UK, there are amazing places in your own country, and in Europe: have you ever visited the Scandinavian countries, the local villages in the South of France, or the Balkans? (if you have done all of that, you're cool).

Do your research: look at the sustainability implemented by the hotels or resorts you're booking. A few research on their website should give you an idea. Are they treating their staff well, are they transparent about the their carbon footprint, their waste, their energy consumption, where their energy is sourced? Yes, it matters.

Don't create rubbish: bring at least bags, small containers, reusable water bottles and avoid buying shitty souvenirs that 1) are not even made in the country, 2) usually made of plastics and 3) that you will throw away a few months later.

Consume local: don't go to Vietnam and look for a French restaurant, where the food is mostly going to be imported from the other side of the planet. Try local food and local drinks.

While this might seem like common sense to some, it is still very much ignored by most. You could also chose not to care, and do whatever you like, nobody will stop you after all. But try to think that everything you're enjoying on holiday are environment-related: the sea, the rainforests, the coral reef, the wildlife. All these stuff depend on the actions you decide to take when you go on holiday. If you don't care, they definitely won't be here for long.

And then, your holiday will be crap.

Your choice.