theguardian.com
Climate Change to Cripple Tourism Industry: Expert Prediction
Professor Stefan Gössling predicts the decline of the tourism industry due to climate change, citing rising costs, extreme weather, and the industry's slow decarbonization efforts; he highlights the South Aegean islands as a critical hotspot.
- How do rising costs of travel, food, and insurance, exacerbated by climate change, affect the accessibility and sustainability of tourism?
- Gössling's prediction connects climate change's escalating effects—heatwaves, wildfires, droughts—with the increasing costs of foreign travel. He cites specific examples like the South Aegean islands in Greece, identified as a climate change hotspot due to tourism dependence and exposure to hazards. The rising costs of food and extreme weather insurance further compound this.
- What are the immediate impacts of climate change on the tourism industry, and how will these affect travelers and the industry's financial viability?
- Professor Stefan Gössling, a leading sustainable transport researcher, predicts the decline of the tourism industry due to climate change impacts like rising costs and extreme weather events. This will affect destinations already experiencing consequences such as melting snow in the Alps and droughts in Spain, impacting affordability and feasibility of travel.
- What systemic changes are needed to mitigate the climate risks to the tourism industry, and what role do individual consumer choices play in shaping the future of travel?
- The future of tourism hinges on mitigating climate change's effects and adapting to its consequences. While some actions, such as installing solar panels, are underway, significant systemic changes are needed. Addressing the inequality in aviation emissions, primarily through curbing long-haul travel by a small percentage of frequent flyers, could significantly reduce the industry's environmental impact.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing strongly emphasizes the negative consequences of climate change on tourism and the impending doom predicted by Gössling. The headline, while not explicitly provided, would likely reflect this negative framing. The opening sentence immediately sets a pessimistic tone. This emphasis may disproportionately alarm readers and overshadow potential solutions or mitigating factors.
Language Bias
The language used is generally factual, but terms like 'looming death', 'uneasy audience', and 'prophecy' contribute to a negative and alarmist tone. While accurate in reflecting Gössling's perspective, these terms could be replaced with more neutral alternatives such as 'significant challenges', 'concerned audience', and 'prediction'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative impacts of tourism and the predictions of its decline, potentially omitting positive aspects of the industry's efforts towards sustainability or economic benefits in certain regions. While acknowledging some positive actions (solar panels on hotels), the overall framing overshadows these.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the future as either the 'death' of tourism or a continuation of unsustainable practices. It doesn't fully explore potential middle grounds, such as a significant shift towards more sustainable tourism models.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the negative impacts of climate change on the tourism industry, including melting snow in Alpine ski resorts, coastal erosion, droughts, and wildfires. These events directly relate to the effects of climate change and threaten the sustainability of the tourism sector. The rising cost of travel due to climate change impacts also affects accessibility for many, hindering progress towards sustainable tourism practices. The article also mentions the significant carbon footprint of the tourism industry (8.8% of planet-heating pollution), directly impacting climate action goals.