euronews.com
Mediterranean Tourism's Environmental Strain Amidst Record-Breaking Heat
The Mediterranean, a top tourist destination, faces environmental strain from 1.1 billion EU tourist nights in 2023, as tourism's carbon emissions grow at twice the global economic rate (8.8% of global emissions), necessitating sustainable travel choices amid misleading green claims.
- What are the immediate environmental consequences of the projected surge in Mediterranean tourism during the exceptionally hot summer of 2025?
- Europe's summer 2025 is expected to be extremely hot, driving millions to coastal areas, primarily the Mediterranean, which receives a third of global tourists. However, the 1.1 billion tourist nights recorded in the EU in 2023, led by Italy and Spain, strain the Mediterranean's ecosystems despite its high-quality bathing waters (85% rated "excellent").
- How significantly does the tourism industry contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, and what are the primary sources of this impact on coastal ecosystems?
- The tourism sector's carbon emissions have doubled the global economy's growth rate, reaching 8.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In coastal regions, summer tourism generates up to 75% of annual waste, highlighting the sector's significant environmental impact through air travel, accommodation, and plastic waste.
- Given the widespread greenwashing in the tourism sector, how can travellers ensure their holiday choices genuinely promote sustainability and responsible environmental practices?
- Climate change severely threatens beach tourism's resilience, impacting ecosystems and amenities due to rising seas and extreme weather. The prevalence of misleading "green" claims (53% in the EU) necessitates careful scrutiny of eco-labels and certifications, focusing on independent public bodies with clear, publicly available, internationally standardized, and regularly verified requirements.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue primarily around the negative environmental consequences of tourism, which is understandable given the topic. However, this framing could potentially lead readers to perceive tourism as inherently harmful, neglecting the economic and cultural aspects. The headline could be improved to reflect a more balanced perspective.
Language Bias
While the language is mostly neutral, phrases such as "millions will once again head for the coast" and "tourists often leave places more polluted than they found them" carry somewhat negative connotations. More neutral phrasing, such as "millions of people visit the coast" and "tourism can contribute to pollution", would improve neutrality.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative impacts of tourism but doesn't explore potential positive contributions, such as economic benefits to coastal communities or initiatives to support local economies through sustainable tourism practices. While acknowledging the limitations of scope, a more balanced view would strengthen the analysis.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between unsustainable and sustainable tourism, without fully exploring the complexities and nuances of the tourism industry's environmental impact. Many tourism businesses are trying to improve their practices, and a more balanced view would acknowledge this.
Gender Bias
The article features several female experts (Chloé Martin and Patricia Puig), which is positive. However, the analysis lacks data on gender representation within the tourism industry itself, potentially overlooking gendered impacts of tourism practices and employment.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the negative impacts of tourism on marine ecosystems, including pollution from plastic waste, damage to coral reefs from touching marine life, and disturbance of wildlife from noise pollution caused by jet skis. The unsustainable practices of some tourism operators further exacerbate these problems. This directly impacts SDG 14: Life Below Water, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.