How International Tourism Has Contributed to Climate Change - Case Study Example

RESEARCH REPORT By Name Course Instructor Institution City/State Date How International Tourism Has Contributed to Climate Change Abstract International tourism has been a contributing factor to climate change through emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) generated through accommodating as well as transporting tourists and the products and services offered so as to support international tourism in certain destination. As it will be argued in the report, it is imperative for tourism businesses to evaluate their contribution to climate change, and also comprehend the effects of climate change on international tourism. For this reason, the research report talks about the contribution of international tourism to climate change in addition to the climate change impact on international tourism over the next 10 years. Table of Contents RESEARCH REPORT 1 How International Tourism Has Contributed to Climate Change 2 Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 1.0 Introduction 4 2.0 How International Tourism Has Contributed To Climate Change 5 3.0 Example of environmental change caused by international tourism 7 4.0 Predict what impact these issues may have on international tourism over the next 10 years 8 5.0 Conclusion 8 6.0 References 10 1.0 Introduction International Tourism can be defined as travelling from one country or continent to another for commercial or leisure reasons (Hall, 2014, p.4). Notably, international tourism is attributed to educational, social, economic, and cultural benefits, but has also negatively impacted environment contributing to climate change. The connection between international tourism as well as climate change is twofold: international tourism contributes to climate change and on the other hand, climate change negatively impacts international tourism. The first relation can induce measures for mitigation intended for reducing GHG emissions. In other sectors, however, mitigation policies can as well impact international tourism and therefore, needs adaptation. The second relation may petition for adaptation measures, such as changing destinations, activities as well as seasons and installing new air conditioning systems. According to Rabbany et al. (2013, p.117), international tourism impact on climate change can be solved through mitigation policies intended for cutting GHG emissions attributed to accommodations and transport. Undoubtedly, these measures can change the cost of numerous resources within the tourism industry, through investments and adaptation measures concerning destination choices, transport and activities. Basically, greenhouse gasses are emitted in international tourism through; accommodations operations such as cooking, cooling, heating, and washing; activities like energy utilized for transportation purposes (either road or air), energy for running bars, restaurants, and scenic tours (Tiwari et al., 2013, p.248). This report will mainly focus on how international tourism contributes to climate change. 2.0 How International Tourism Has Contributed To Climate Change International tourists contribute to GHG emissions during every stage of their journey; that is to say, when transported to, within, and from a certain tourism destination, for scores of activities such as shopping, visiting museums, swimming, skiing, and so forth (Perch-Nielsen, 2008, p.14). Moreover, international tourists contribute to embodied emissions, such as emissions attributed to farming for their food and construction of infrastructures them utilize. According to Sunlu (2003, p.263), negative effects from tourism take place when the tourist’s level of utilization is beyond the ability of the environment to handle it within the suitable change limits. Conventional tourism that is not controlled can result to possible threats to numerous natural areas across the globe, and also it can strain the area and result in impacts like increased pollution, soil erosion, loss of natural habitat, sea discharges, threats to species in danger of extinction and increased forest fires’ vulnerability. Moreover, tourism always puts pressure on water resources, and in consequence, may compel locals to compete for critical resources such as water (Sunlu, 2003, p.264). Besides that, emissions attributed to transport and energy use as well as production for tourism purposes has been associated with climate change, acidic rain, and also photochemical contamination. Statistically, it is not easy to measure the extent international tourism contributes to climate change; given that tourism has various components and a wider nature which all contribute differently to climate change. In spite of such difficulties, latest estimates indicate that tourism contributes to almost 5 per cent of global carbon emissions (Travel and Tour World, 2013). With regard to radiative forcing, international tourism according to Travel and Tour World (2013) has contributed to 4.6 per cent of climate change. Besides that, transport sector, which includes rail, air, and road, is the main contributor of CO2 emission since it accounts for 75 per cent of total emissions in the world. Based on these emissions, air transport accounts for 54 to 75 per cent while road and rail account for 13 per cent. Generally, air transport is the main contributor to climate change in international tourism since it accounts for 40 per cent of the total CO2 emissions attributed to the tourism sector. Besides that, the accommodation sector is responsible for almost 20 per cent of tourism GHG emissions, and this mainly is contributed by air-conditioning, heating, as well as the maintenance of pools, restaurants, bars, and all that. Undoubtedly, this differs based on the size as well as location of the accommodation, and also the establishments’ type since much energy is consumed in hotels as compared in camping sites (Travel and Tour World, 2013). Additionally, activities like theme parks, museums, shopping or events as well have contributed somewhat to climate change since it accounts for almost 3.5% per cent of GHG emissions in the tourism industry. Unsustainable or intensified utilization of land and also deforestation for tourism purposes has also resulted in climate change. Construction of ski resort facilities as well as accommodation normally needs the forest land to be cleared and coastal wetlands are frequently drained then filled because of insufficient appropriate sites for construction of constructing tourism infrastructure as well as facilities (Malviya, 2005, p.38). Such activities have resulted in severe disruption and also the destruction of the local environment. Besides that, developments of breakwaters and marinas for international tourists have led to changes in coastlines and currents. Moreover, mining for building materials like sand in the coastal lines for constructing tourism facilities and infrastructure has resulted in the destruction of mangroves, coral reefs, as well as neighborhood forests. For instance, in the Maldives and the Philippines, coral mining and dynamiting for resort construction materials has not just depleted the fisheries, but also has damaged the fragile coral reefs (Malviya, 2005, p.39). 3.0 Example of environmental change caused by international tourism Tourism has largely impacted coral reefs in the Caribbean, and this is similar to what is happening in other tourist destination across the globe. Evidently, the tourism sector is the backbone of the Caribbean region’s economy, both in terms of employment as well as for earnings from foreign exchange (UNEP, 2002). Given that Caribbean tourism is mainly related to the sea and beaches, international tourism has and continues to have negative effect on the Caribbean coastal environment, especially on the coral reefs. As stated by UNEP (2002), tourism has both indirect and direct impacts on Caribbean’s coral reefs. Boating, diving as well as snorkeling has resulted in direct physical damage to the coral reefs, and collecting and fishing has also resulted in reef species’ over-exploitation and in consequence, threaten the continued existence of the endangered species. Tourism indirect impacts associated with the construction, development as well as the operation of tourism infrastructure in Caribbean region (marinas, resorts, airports, ports, and so forth). Basically, environmental damage caused by snorkelers and divers involve mostly breaking branched, fragile corals or injuring the massive corals. Even though fishing has resulted in reduction of reef fish stocks across the Caribbean region, the international tourism direct role in fishing-associated decline is somewhat less significant, but it indirectly increases seafood demand, which consequently affect reef fish resources. Moreover, gathering of marine souvenirs by tourists together with the marine curiosities market in the Caribbean has led to the depletion of the coral reefs resource. 4.0 Predict what impact these issues may have on international tourism over the next 10 years According to Amelung et al. (2007, p.166) the future climate will be exceedingly warmer and will in consequence change the weather pattern such as higher fog level or more precipitation. This will result in new conditions for tourism like biking, trekking or hiking in the mountain regions. Besides environmental changes such as loss of biodiversity, reduced environmental aesthetic, increased environmental hazards, coastal inundation as well as erosion, will largely impact tourism. In the coming decade, international policies seeking to cut GHG emissions will result in high transport costs and can promote environmental attitudes, whereby some tourist destinations will receive fewer tourists as compared to now (Schott, 2010, p.51). Moreover, climate change will in the coming decade result in political stability for a number of tourist destination countries and also affect the economy of such countries. And given that international tourists are averse to social unrest and political instability, they will avoid such countries leading to economic instability, especially for countries whose economy depend heavily on international tourism. Winter tourism will also be largely affected considering that the future climate will be warmer and this will be attributed to less snowfall. 5.0 Conclusion In conclusion, it has been argued that international tourism contributes to climate change, mainly through transportation and accommodations. Estimates indicate that tourism accounts for almost 5 per cent of carbon emissions in the world, and this has mainly been attributed to air transport. In future, changed in climate and weather patterns as argued in the report will largely affect international tourism, based on tourism flows and economic development of the tourists’ destination. Tourism also negatively impact the environment as evidenced in the Caribbean case study where coral reefs have been damaged by diving and also mining construction materials for tourists’ facilities and infrastructures. 6.0 References Amelung, B., Blazejczyk, K. & Matzarakis, A., 2007. Climate Change and Tourism Assessment and Coping Strategies. Maastricht;Warsaw; Freiburg. Hall, C.M., 2014. Tourism and Social Marketing. New York: Routledge. Malviya, S., 2005. Tourism: Tourism, environment and the society. New Delhi, India: Gyan Publishing House. Perch-Nielsen, S.L., 2008. Climate Change and Tourism Intertwined. Dissertation. Zurich: Sabine Louise Perch-Nielsen ETH Zurich. Rabbany, G. et al., 2013. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF TOURISM. American Journal of Environment, Energy and Power Research, vol. 1, no. 7, pp.117-30. Schott, C., 2010. Tourism and the Implications of Climate Change: Issues and Actions. London: Emerald Group Publishing. Sunlu, U., 2003. Environmental impacts of tourism. In Grassini, L. & Camarda, D. Local Resources and Global Trades: Environments and Agriculture in the Mediterranean Region. Bari: CIHEAM. pp. 263-270. Tiwari, A.K., Ozturk, I. & Aruna, M., 2013. Tourism, Energy Consumption and Climate Change in OECD Countries. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, vol. 3, no. 3, pp.247-61. Travel and Tour World, 2013. Global warming threatens world tourism. [Online] Available at: http://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/global-warming-threatens-tourism/ [Accessed 15 May 2015]. UNEP, 2002. Tourism's Impact on Reefs. [Online] Available at: http://www.unep.org/resourceefficiency/Business/SectoralActivities/Tourism/Activities/WorkThematicAreas/EcosystemManagement/CoralReefs/TourismsImpactonReefs/tabid/78799/Default.aspx [Accessed 14 May 2015]. Read More