PADIRAN, JAOWESFER S.

BSTM 2-B
TRM 150: CASE STUDY I

Over the past year we've seen a major world crisis can abruptly end travel. Although
the pandemic is still on everyone’s mind, there is another crisis that will have even more
serious effects on humanity and put our favourite places in danger. The threat is climate
change.
In recent years, tourism has come under increased in inspection for its role in the
climate emergency. As people became more aware of their impact, terms like “flight
shaming” began to emerge. Tourism does play a role In the climate crisis, there’s no denying
that. In fact, according to a 2018 study, tourism accounts for 8% of world’s carbon emissions.
And as this case study explains, travel is responsible for more than quarter of greenhouse
gases which impacts a surprising amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) discharges. In many cities
and towns of Philippines, the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter because
emissions from millions of vehicles on the road add up. Thus, this case study aims to find
solutions how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and more specifically how can we travel
more responsibly and lessen the impact of our travel to the environment.
The revival of tourism allows us to reconsider our habits and learn how to travel
responsibly. There are also several ways to reduce travel emissions and initiate the industry
toward a more sustainable future. And so, as a concerned traveler the following can be my
assets in contributing the success of the goal.
1. Pack light
As a responsible traveler, I think this can be the most basic thing that anyone
can do. By packing light, we can reduce fuel use because the heavier our luggage is,
the more it takes to transport it by plane, bus, car, or train and thus, the amount of
carbon emitted. We can start by choosing a lightweight suitcase and carefully
consider what we put in it before traveling and just bring clothing that we can wear
multiple times and that is easy to wash while on the go. We can also remove any
unnecessary packaging from items and put our toiletries into small, reusable
containers. If these are all practiced by responsible travelers, we can definitely
decrease the emissions present in our travel.

2. Switch off electronics, if not in use

This concept is simple. The more energy we use, the more carbon emissions
we generate. Whether at home or away, we should make every effort to reduce our
energy usage. When not in use, we should turn off the lights, the TV, and other
unnecessary electronics. Even if we do not intend to use the refrigerator in our homes
or hotels, we must unplug it or turn it off for the duration of our stay.
3. Eat local cuisines
We must do everything possible to avoid imported foods that must be
transported from afar and require additional packaging and refrigeration to keep them
fresh along the way.

By eating locally grown foods just like buying strawberries from Baguio
instead of imported ones from European countries, we can reduce our carbon footprint
while also supporting the local economy. In addition, we’ll get to experience the local
food culture and enjoy some of the freshest cuisine available.

4. Minimize food waste

If we don’t think we’ll be able to finish a dish we ordered from a restaurant or
any food establishments, we can just ask for a smaller portion or just share it with a
friend because food also produces carbon when it’s processed, packaged, transported,
and refrigerated; and when we throw our uneaten food away, it creates harmful
methane emissions as it rots in a landfill (Kaitlyn, 2021). We can also bring a reusable
container and take our leftovers back to our homes or at the hotels we are staying in.

5. Biking and Walking

Basically, biking or walking to school can also reduce the stress of commuting
and save our money or lessen the demand for oil. Additional benefits include reducing
other environmental impacts of motorised transportation, such as noise, air, the
destruction of open space, wetlands and other habitats.

6. Support sustainable tourism projects and initiatives

Getting involved in sustainable activities at school or in our community can be
a fun and easy way to improve our own skills and expertise, and can even help
improve our relationships with other students by working together on a cause bigger
than the bottom line. Take for example by joining the environmental-related activities
of ATOMS organization and practicing them at home. This goal can really make a
huge impact to ourselves as we immense our skills through teamwork and enhancing
our leadership skills and at the same time we can contribute a great impact to the
environment and to our community in general.
 With the effects of climate change becoming more apparent, it is critical that local
governments, tourism businesses and suppliers, as well as individual travelers, all work
together to reduce the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels.
New technologies such as solar-powered water heaters, temperature control systems,
and energy saving appliances are just a few of the new technologies that are helping the
industry reduce its carbon footprint. However, this advancements are insufficient to offset
emissions produced by an increasing number of travelers. According to projections, tourism
emissions could reach 6.5 billion metric tons by 2025. This is a 44% increase over 2013 and
is equivalent about 13% of current global greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsetting should
be used to supplement sustainability practices and reduce tourism’s carbon footprint for those
emissions that are not yet avoidable.
With all that being said, I have come into terms that the only basic thing that I can
recommend in relationship with all my assets being mentioned above toward a sustainable
future is that, just by walking or biking, simply because one study concluded that walking a
mile and a half would release 75% less greenhouse gases than we would produce from
driving the same distance. Additionally, driving less doesn’t just help the environment. It can
also make us healthier. By reducing our car usage, we can help both ourselves and the
environment.
REFERENCES:
K. (2021, December 30). How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Travels – Sustainable
Travel International. Sustainable Travel International. https://sustainabletravel.org/how-to-
reduce-travel-carbon-footprint/

Carbon Footprint of Tourism – Sustainable Travel International. (2022, August 24).

Sustainable Travel International. https://sustainabletravel.org/issues/carbon-footprint-tourism/

Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (2017, October 27). Reducing Your Transportation
Footprint – Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. https://www.c2es.org/content/reducing-
your-transportation-footprint/