Decarbonizing tourism: Would you pay $11 for a carbon-free holiday?

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-11/uow-dtw112415.php

Public Release: 24-Nov-2015
Decarbonizing tourism: Would you pay US$11 for a carbon-free holiday?
University of Waterloo

The damaging effects of CO2 emissions from tourism could eventually be eliminated if travelers paid just US$11 per trip, according to a new study published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism.

Global tourism is largely dependent on fossil fuel energy, and emits more CO2 than than all but five countries of the world. Recent estimates conclude that tourism, including transport, accommodation, and leisure activities contributed close to five per cent of total human-made emissions of CO2 world-wide.

"A dangerously warming world is not in the best interest of global tourism. Many of peoples' favorite tourism destinations and activities are at risk to climate change, from the ski industry to tropical beaches, from iconic species to cultural heritage. So investing in low-carbon tourism is really in the interests of both the tourism industry and travellers alike," said Professor Daniel Scott, from the University of Waterloo. "We have to ask ourselves, are we willing to pay less than the price of an extra checked bag to ensure future generations can marvel at the sights that inspire us today?"

•••••