tourism | Animal ethics & Zoos

27565946844_cd39113960_b — Figure 1. Blue whale (Lotta Syvänen 2016.)

Many animal species are threatened nowadays. Over using nature is consequence from many matters, like population growth, poverty, non-sustainable consumption and development. In the crossroads from these matters are how to protect nature and wildlife sustainable way. To use wildlife sustainably it is important to assume that there is a threshold limit of overusing the wildlife. These overusing matters are wild animal trophies, hides and skins. Using the matters, the wildlife use cannot be sustainable. The limit is existing, but it is difficult to identify. (UNEP 2016.)

To make wildlife more sustainability, it is possible, but not as long as when wildlife is exploited for economic, health, socio and cultural purposes. Exploitation of wildlife is significantly affecting to animal population and habitat. There are although, circumstances where hunting wild animals, for subsistence and commercial use, might not have so big influence to the species and animal habitat. Still the circumstances are so it is impossible to make a clear limit to be certain about it affection on the animal inhabitant. The biggest challenges in wildlife usage in sustainable way are making things worse. These are compounded because ineffective legislations, implementations of organizations and lack of understanding in wildlife dealing. (UNEP 2016.)

hero — Figure 2. Rhinos in their natural inhabitant (African Wildlife Foundation 2016.)

Wildlife tourism is still not always a bad thing. Nature conservation can really be assisted by tourism industry. Wildlife tourism is not all good, as said before, but it is not all bad either. The tours bring money for protecting wildlife from tourists and organizations. This is also a good way to add knowledge about wildlife and nature and the problems with them conservation. Problems in conservation can be repaired together with tourism organizations and wildlife experts. This way also rare and threatened species can be protected. Wildlife parks keep injured and orphaned animals safe from hunters, such as humans and other animals. Wildlife parks are also working against illegal collection and watching signs of other illegal activities. (Wildlife Tourism Australia 2016.)

Sources:

African Wildlife Foundation 2016. Figure. Rhinos. URL: http://www.awf.org/campaigns/poaching-infographic/. Accessed 7.12.2016

Lotta Syvänen 2016. Figure. Blue whale. URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lottaemiliaaaaa/27565946844/sizes/l. Accessed 7.12.2016

UNEP 2016. Sustainable Use of Wildlife. URL: http://www.unep.org/chinese/iyb/pdf/Sustainableuse.pdf. Accessed: 15.11.2016.

Wildlife Tourism Australia 2016. Can wildlife tourism really assist wildlife conservation? URL: http://www.wildlifetourism.org.au/can-wildlife-tourism-really-assist-wildlife-conservation/. Accessed 6.12.2016

immagine1 — Figure 1. Guide how to travel sustainable (Sides of Tourism 2016.)

What is sustainability? Why to even try to make sustainable choices?

Sustainable development is using sustainable ways while acting. These ways are using natural resources so nature will not be harmed incurable way and making sure while doing things no one’s human rights will not be taken away. Sustainable development is separated in many subspecies, like environmental, social & cultural and economic development. Figure 1 shows different ways how to make sustainable choices. (Sachs 2015, 1-4.)

Sustainable development is important because world’s population has grown to seven billion humans. This makes sustainability more important because all the human beings try to upgrade their living standard. Humans, and all living species, need water and food, which comes from the nature. Nature is lifeblood for human beings. Nature is not protected enough, when thinking how important it is for everything in the world. Nature is not only one in a bad position but also humans are unequal. (Sachs 2015, 1-4.)

Some humans live plenty, when some are trying to find food and clean water. World economy controls all of this and it creates a risk for the world economy. To make this entire end up good is the reason for sustainable development. Sustainable development gives goal that the world is trying to achieve. If world will achieve those goals, there will be no more of world hunger or poverty, human rights are working everywhere and nature will be safe from incurable destroying. (Sachs 2015, 1-4.)

What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism is defined to be same as sustainable development, but just applied to tourism. In practical terms, this means tourists need to implement their own wants and needs in a way which leaves future generations options to implement their wants and needs as well. Tourism is growing industry and it has to consider ways to make it more sustainable. To make the tourism more sustainable, then environment will not be harmed permanently. Sustainable tourism gives also good living conditions for locals in the destination and for the tourists. (Committee of the Regions 2006, 31–35.)

European Union is aiming for sustainable tourism as a default. This way tourist should not need to find out himself about destinations, but all the destinations would be sustainable. This way also would be possible to slow down the climate changes. To make this happen, all the actors and organizations in the tourism business will need to work together and aim for more sustainable tourism. This is an aim where all industries should work for, but especially tourism. (Committee of the Regions 2006, 31–35.)

Conclusion

Sustainable tourism is important, the whole sustainability is. If people will not start living more sustainable ways, the humans lifeblood, nature, will fade away. Like said nature is important for all the breathing species, including humans. Starting to make sustainable choices is not hard, everyone should start with small changes. Nobody expects to change whole lifestyle over night, but with small changes, it is possible to become permanently sustainable.

Sources:

Committee of the Regions 2006. Sustainable Tourism as a Factor of Cohesion Among European Regions. European Communities. Belgium.

Sachs, J. D. 2015. The Age of Sustainable Development. Columbia University Press. New York.

Sides of Tourism 2016. Figure. URL: http://sidesoftourism.blogspot.fi/2016/05/sustainable-tourism-is-new-form-of.html. Accessed 7.12.2016