Comments on: Are You Concerned About The Environmental Impact of Travel?

By: The Best Comments Of The Month: July 2009 : foXnoMad

The Best Comments Of The Month: July 2009 : foXnoMad — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:02:30 +0000

[...] Are You Concerned About the Environmental Impact of Travel?: “I think it’s important to travel with knowledge of our ecological impact in mind. This way, we can minimize our impact, and yet understand that there IS a negative impact to what we do. What we need to do is make that negative impact count, and not wantonly spend it away as if it didn’t matter.” – The Backpack Foodie [...]

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:13:53 +0000

Thanks John – what are your thoughts about it?

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:13:26 +0000

I agree Craig, this problem requires action at a variety of levels. Like you said by being more efficient with what we have and working to develop renewable energy. I need to do some more research into what’s being done in the airline industry but I think there is a lot of room for improvement there.

By: john

john — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:58:07 +0000

great article on a legitimate topic for the travel community…

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:39:12 +0000

A tough question indeed, Anil. One we all struggle with. I certianly don’t count kilometers to offset against some imaginary carbon/distance ratio, just like I don’t count calories in my food. However, I do believe we need to be cautious in our use of consumable resources, work to convince governments we would like our taxes to be spent on new fuel resources/technologies, and be as informed and active as we can make time to be.

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:10:46 +0000

I agree and you bring up a good point which makes me wonder what about more casual or business travelers. I’m curious if traveling has the same effect there.

I think the push is there though from travelers and growing.

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:08:53 +0000

“I think it’s important to travel with knowledge of our ecological impact in mind. This way, we can minimize our impact, and yet understand that there IS a negative impact to what we do. What we need to do is make that negative impact count, and not wantonly spend it away as if it didn’t matter.”

That’s a great way of looking at it and well said. I also agree that carbon offsets and some of the other (and soon to be) marketed ‘eco-tourism’ gimmicks may lull consumers into a false sense of responsibility. There’s a lot of noise out there for people to cut through.

By: Amy @ The Q Family

Amy @ The Q Family — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:48:03 +0000

I agree with you that it’s almost like 2 sides of the coin. Most long-term travelers are probably the ones who are more aware about the impact of our existent to environments. I think even though traveling has direct impacted to environment, the knowledge we learn from traveling might help us to be better educated and in turn change our lifestyle to help offset those impacts.

By: The Backpack Foodie

The Backpack Foodie — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:54:46 +0000

The environment is a huge concern for me. It’s hard not to be concerned when you actually go and see the places that are the most impacted by the way our society exploits the environment…

At the same time, my opinion of things such as ‘eco-tourism’ and ‘carbon offsets’ is that they lull us into a false sense of security. They can give the impression that you are completely absolved from caring about the environment because, say, you paid $20 to a carbon offset.

I think it’s important to travel with knowledge of our ecological impact in mind. This way, we can minimize our impact, and yet understand that there IS a negative impact to what we do. What we need to do is make that negative impact count, and not wantonly spend it away as if it didn’t matter.

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:33:11 +0000

It’s an interesting dynamic between travelers and the environment since traveling directly effects the environment negatively in most cases. Especially since, (I’m guessing), most longer term travelers are an eco-conscious group.