Staff. (2022, August 17). Report: Pollution from sediment in Lake Tahoe reduced by 600K Pounds in 2021. TahoeDailyTribune.com. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/report-pollution-from-sediment-in-lake-tahoe-reduced-by-600k-pounds-in-2021/ 

The article “Pollution from the sediment in Lake Tahoe reduced by 600k Pounds in 2021” is exactly what the title is. Thousands of pounds of pollution have been reduced, many of which from people and others from fires. Tahoe gets around 15 million visitors yearly, most to explore the wildlife and partake in outdoor activities. Besides human activity, phosphorus, and nitrogen levels have significantly decreased and reduced to a healthy amount, lessening the number of algae growing in the lakes, causing the clarity level to be 61 feet.

It is without a doubt that Tahoe is one of the most visited places in California and Nevada and a commonly traveled destination for other people in other states. Tahoe has a lot of things to offer to many tourists, which brings many people to visit. With around 15 million people visiting Tahoe annually, it would be detrimental to the environment. The pollution levels are very high due to ecotourism and fires, which must be dealt with to maintain the lovely city healthily. Helping reduce pollution would help, but it is also up to the tourists to be responsible for their waste. All the emissions from transportation alone make up much of the pollution, so figuring out ways to lessen the carbon footprint is needed.

Rennie, K. (2022, September 20). Can Environmental Conservation and tourism exist together harmoniously? Global Voices. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://globalvoices.org/2022/09/20/can-environmental-conservation-and-tourism-exist-together-harmoniously/ 

In the article “A green Yellowstone keeps the local economies in the black,” we understand how the great floodings in Yellowstone national park have affected ecotourism by dropping the percentage by 90%. Businesses were shut down due to flooding, and over 60 million dollars worth of infrastructure damages came with the floods. The number of habits, housing, and businesses affected would’ve affected tourism and overall profits. Essential companies like hotels, gas stations, recreation industries, restaurants, and transportation, to name a couple, were heavily influenced and impacted life for the locals.

In a disaster like a big flood, it would be beneficial to support the people affected. In this case, it is hard. It is tough when the primary revenue accumulated is all by ecotourism, and having the yearly season canceled greatly affects the locals and the restoration process. A lot of profits for the park and people have been cut drastically, and necessities for people have been cut too. Not allowing them to get gas, food, and overall transportation could be detrimental to their lives, and the people that lost their businesses and homes have it way harder.

Rennie, K. (2022, September 20). Can Environmental Conservation and tourism exist together harmoniously? Global Voices. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://globalvoices.org/2022/09/20/can-environmental-conservation-and-tourism-exist-together-harmoniously/ 

In “Can Environmental Conservation and tourism exist together harmoniously?” we learn about some of the downsides and benefits of ecotourism. They claim that ecotourism promotes education and awareness about endangered animals and climate change, improving local life quality and understanding and sensitivity towards other cultures. These benefits are overtaken by the negatives, which are the excess pollution emitted, like carbon in our air, and creating a big divide between cultures/people. The article goes more into depth about the cons of ecotourism and its effects.

 The last quote of the article from Architect and engineer Smith Mordak pretty much sums up the writer’s opinion about the idea of ecotourism, “Ecotourism is an oxymoron [seemingly self-contradictory]. Trying to fix environmental degradation with tourism is like trying to fix a black eye with a right hook.”. The way that we partake in ecotourism is very irresponsible. If we want to preserve and maintain precious lands, we should do it differently now. There would have to be more measures to prevent disruptions in our environments.

Depillis, L. (2022, December 10). Wish you were here. ignore the floods and fires. The New York Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/10/business/new-mexico-climate-change-wildfires-floods.html 

The article “Wish you were here. Ignore the floods and fires” discusses the effects of climate change, like floods and forest fires that have significantly impacted many people’s lives in New Mexico. We hear how people are negatively affected by disasters and their struggles to make any profit during the disasters and the aftermaths. The needed efforts to promote more ecotourism to help the people and the land survive such tragedies. It would help them by having money go towards land restoration and damages to the people’s lives.

The idea of ecotourism helping to pay for damages and support people is a great and healthy way to receive support. There could be a lot of downsides to ecotourism, but one that always benefits the land and locals is the economic benefits. In a crisis, like a wildfire or a flood, damages need to be covered because many things are lost in the aftermath. Often, these events claim the lives of many stuck in these disasters or help stop them.

Ecotourism in California, Sixt, 27 Dec. 2022, https://www.sixt.com/magazine/travel/ecotourism-california/. 

The article highlights the ecotourism options in California, which is known for its environmental consciousness. The state is home to 8 national parks and a coastline of 800 miles, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities. Yosemite National Park is a must-visit, offering an abundance of plant and animal life, as well as opportunities for hiking, biking, rafting, and winter sports. California’s farm-to-table dining and organic food culture also adds to the eco-friendly experience. Wine regions such as Napa Valley and Sonoma County offer wine tours that feature organic and biodynamic wine production. The Pacific Coast Highway offers scenic drives and eco-friendly options such as hybrid car rentals or train travel. Los Angeles, once known for its pollution, has become a hub for eco-friendly activities like hiking in Griffith Park or walking in popular neighborhoods. The locals participate in eco-conscious behavior and visitors are encouraged to do the same.

This article shows that California has been known to be environmentally conscious for a while. There are many eco-friendly activities available, as well as eco-friendly food and restaurants. Overall California is very eco-conscious and visitors to California are encouraged to respect the environment and protect it in the future.

Preserving California’s Abundance through Responsible Travel, Travel Matters, 25 Jan. 2023, https://travelmattersca.com/issues-insights/sustainable-responsible-tourism. 

California’s travel and tourism industry has experienced immense growth. California’s travelers are becoming more concerned about the impact they have on their destinations. California’s visitors are 11% more likely to worry about their impact than visitors to other destinations, and 93% believe that travelers should leave their environment the same or better than they found it. The World Travel & Tourism Council has identified five areas that underlie sustainable growth for the industry including climate change, destination stewardship, future of work, illegal trade in wildlife, and sustainability reporting. To encourage responsible travel, the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau created the Sustainable Moments program, an initiative to educate visitors on responsible travel, which involves members of the industry and the wider community.

This article is important as it shows that the tourism industry in California has experienced recent growth. People in California have become much more aware of the effect on their environment. In recent years many more people have been participating in more eco-friendly travel activities. There has been a lot of growth and people have become much more involved in the process of making travel sustainable.

“Visit California Launches Initiative to Promote Smart, Sustainable Tourism.” SierraSun.com, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.sierrasun.com/news/visit-california-launches-initiative-to-promote-smart-sustainable-tourism/. 

Global consulting firm JLL is working to create regional strategic plans to guide the state’s tourism industry. JLL plans to create plans specific to each of California’s 12 tourism regions. These plans will examine tourism issues, including environmental challenges, workforce development, and infrastructure needs. Tourism businesses and California’s 300-plus destination management organizations will use the findings to build a more sustainable future for the tourism industry. JLL plans to form responsible travel principles, address climate impacts from tourism, and build alliances. 

This article is very prominent as it is one of the few plans that have been made toward improving tourism and making it sustainable. JLL is working to protect the environment and encourage destination tourism development that maximizes diversity. JLL will hopefully Establish  a better image for tourism, while mitigating negative impacts of tourism. If JLL keeps to their plan it will  be very beneficial to the tourism industry and will have very positive effects on the environment. 

“Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism in California.” Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism in California , Frommer’s, 5 Nov. 2022, https://www.frommers.com/destinations/california/planning-a-trip/sustainable-travel–ecotourism. 

The article highlights ways for people who are visiting California to be environmentally friendly. It suggests alternatives to driving such as taking a train, hiking, biking, or horseback riding trips, and taking a bus to Yosemite National Park. The article also mentions restaurants in San Francisco that use only organic food and the Orchard Garden Hotel which is the only hotel in the state that meets the standards for green buildings. They provide tips for eco-friendly accommodations and travel.

This article spreads awareness of the effects tourism has on the environment and highlights the importance of switching to more environmentally friendly methods of travel. The article suggests many alternate transportation methods and restaurants for travelers. Overall this article relates to environmental science because it shows people the importance of traveling eco-friendly. 

Ecotourism California: Sustainable Travel Guide, Green Geeks , 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.unsustainablemagazine.com/ecotourism-california-travel/. 

The article provides tips for eco-conscious travelers who are visiting  California. It highlights the importance of sustainable tourism. In addition, it provides some of the state’s best eco-friendly travel destinations. These destinations include regenerative farms and ranches, the Channel Islands, national parks, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The article also offers tips for sustainable and eco-conscious travel. The aim of the article is to help travelers make more sustainable travel choices while visiting California.

This article successfully explains what ecotourism is, especially delving into sustainability within tourism. This article also suggests travel destinations for those who are trying to be conscious of the environment. This article targets travelers and shows them that being conscious of their effect on the environment is important. It relates to environmental science as people are trying to promote ecotourism as a way to prevent further damage to the environment. 

Macdonald, G. (2023, January 15). When conservation and capitalism meet: A visit to New Mexico’s Ted Turner Reserves. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/article-ted-turner-reserves/  

Can capitalism, an economic notion causing much damage to the environment, be used for good? American billionaire Ted Turner and founder of CNN has been using his fortune to help protect endangered species, alleviate climate change’s effects on the US, and has recently opened four ranches in New Mexico open for ecotourism. Turner’s ranches are mixing luxury and sustainability, which is attracting a new, usually very consumerist, clientele. His philosophy is to “save everything”, and these new investments seem to reflect that pretty well as he aims for his ranches to be environmentally friendly and zero-waste.

It is reassuring to see mega-billionaires put some effort into environmental causes and use their money for good, which is usually unheard of. Turner’s ranches not only support the local economy but also bring New Mexico more eco-tourism opportunities. These luxury ranches are obviously inaccessible to an everyday vacationer, but it hopefully encourages his fellow magnates to follow suit and expand the ecotourism industry, although it often is for purely capitalistic motives.