“Sometimes, the road to sustainability is paved with good intentions but littered with unforeseen consequences.” - Philipp Pratt, Geonode Innovation Expert
Amid rising awareness of climate change, consumers are increasingly turning to eco-friendly alternatives in various aspects of their lives, including travel. Travel apps claim to support sustainable tourism, offering eco-conscious routes, accommodation, and activities. Yet beneath their green facades, these platforms can contribute significantly to environmental degradation.
The website, The World Counts, highlights the negative impact of tourism in the environment, saying that it often puts pressure on natural resources through over-consumption, often in places where resources are already scarce. Tourism puts enormous stress on local land use, and can lead to soil erosion, increased pollution, natural habitat loss, and more pressure on endangered species.
According to a 2019 report by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), 70 percent of global travelers would be more inclined to book eco-friendly accommodation. However, Outside says it can be difficult to discern between environmentally friendly digs and those just trying to profit from the craze. Globally, there are an estimated 250 to 300 entities that claim to certify tourist accommodations as sustainable. They vary in reputation and offer somewhere in the ballpark of 8,000—yes, 8,000—certifications, many of them meaningless.
The Hidden Costs of Digital Convenience
Travel apps, known for their convenience and seemingly green alternatives, come with hidden costs that many users overlook. Philipp Pratt sheds light on how these platforms can inadvertently increase carbon footprints:
1. Data Centers and Energy Consumption: Apps rely heavily on massive data centers to store and process user information. These data centers require vast amounts of electricity, often sourced from non-renewable energy. The carbon footprint associated with powering and cooling these facilities can be substantial.
2. Increased Travel Frequency: The ease of booking “green” trips can lead to more frequent travel. While individual choices might seem low-impact, they collectively lead to a surge in demand for transportation services, which, in turn, increases emissions.
3. False Sense of Sustainability: Users may feel a sense of complacency by choosing eco-friendly options, believing their impact to be minimal. This can result in neglecting other aspects of sustainable living, offsetting the gains made through eco-friendly travel choices.
Marketed as Green, Delivered in Plastic
Sustainable travel apps often promote eco-friendly activities and accommodations. However, the supply chains for these services are not always transparent. Hidden within these chains are practices far from sustainable:
· Greenwashing Practices: Some accommodations and businesses advertise themselves as eco-friendly but fail to meet genuine sustainability standards. These practices can deceive conscientious travelers into supporting businesses that might only have superficial or minor green credentials.
· Single-Use Plastics and Waste: Even at eco-friendly destinations, the consumption of single-use plastics remains high. From toiletries to packaged foods, the convenience offered by these travel services can lead to increased waste.
Actions to Take for Genuine Sustainable Travel
Addressing the hypocrisy requires a change in both consumer behavior and industry standards. Philipp Pratt offers several recommendations for more authentic sustainable travel:
1. Research and Verify: Verify the green claims of accommodations and activities. Look for certifications from recognized organizations that verify sustainable practices.
2. Minimize Digital Footprint: Reduce reliance on apps where possible. Direct bookings with eco-friendly businesses can help cut down on the energy consumption associated with large-scale platforms.
3. Support Local Economies: Engage with local services and products. This not only supports the community but reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods.
4. Offset Carbon Emissions: Use carbon offsetting initiatives to counterbalance the emissions from travel. This can involve supporting projects that reduce or capture emissions globally.
5. Promote and Practice Sustainability: Beyond travel, incorporate sustainable habits into daily life. Reduce waste, recycle, and be conscious of the broader impact of your lifestyle choices.
Amid the convenience and allure of “eco-friendly” travel apps, it is essential to scrutinize their claims and understand the broader environmental implications. By making informed decisions and adopting genuinely sustainable practices, travelers can mitigate their impact and contribute to a healthier planet. Evaluating both the seen and unseen effects of our choices helps ensure that the journey to sustainability does not veer off course.
Philipp Pratt reminds us, “True sustainability lies not just in our choices but in the integrity and transparency of the systems we support.” Let's pledge to travel wisely and live sustainably.