By Esther Kim
My love for journey earned me the nickname “Jjampong” from my mother, a vibrant hodgepodge of cultural influences just like the Korean Chinese language spicy seafood soup. As a second-generation Korean American in New York, I craved seeing the world even because the world got here to New York. Now residing in Taiwan, I can simply journey by way of Asia. But, witnessing overtourism and its toll on our planet sparked a battle, I ponder: how can journey be sustainable?
This summer time, a visit to my Korean family members’ mountain village supplied a glimpse. Their neighbor, an agricultural employee with a booming voice and chuckle, proudly confirmed us Jiri Mountain’s treasures on a highway journey. He shared his cellphone, proudly showcasing a listing of free, government-funded actions for his twin daughters — a form of home tourism.
Within the automotive, one of many twins innocently requested me, “Are you wealthy? You have to be wealthy to journey a lot.” I laughed and mentioned, “No by no means. It’s not so costly to journey round Asia.” However her query sparked reflection. Whereas I hop from nation to nation, they’ve a house, automotive and gorgeous pure environment. As a millennial (born 1981-96), I characterize a technology missing stability — no automotive, home or youngsters. I’ve an residence rental and a powerful passport. I’m actually not alone. Gen Z, these born between 1997 and 2012, are already frequent vacationers. To the twins, we glance travel-rich, however to me, they give the impression of being house-rich.
This raises a good greater query: how can we reconcile the post-pandemic tourism increase with sustainability? Halting journey totally is not the reply. Nonetheless, flying’s environmental affect is simple. Some, just like the “no-jet set,” keep away from it altogether, and others, like Jack Sweeney, the American pupil utilizing social media accounts to trace celeb and billionaire jets, calculate their planet-warming emissions, or excessive environmental value.
I suggest a number of methods to journey safely and flippantly. Or journey mindfully and demurely, when you’re on TikTok. We should acknowledge the planet’s deep inequalities and be higher stewards. As science author Ed Yong mentioned, “With infectious ailments, a single unhealthy determination can do exponential hurt. The corollary is {that a} single sensible determination can do exponential good.” Let’s be good neighbors and develop an consciousness of the deeply unequal planet. That is our shared residence. Let’s maintain firms and governments accountable. There’s only one Earth.
Security First: When reserving flights, prioritize security. Analysis the plane sort, avoiding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, 777 and 737 MAX because of reported deadly crashes, drops, two whistleblower deaths and security considerations in 2024.
Planning for the Planet: Contemplate the season and pure disasters of the vacation spot. 2024 is the most popular yr on document, with excessive climate because the norm. Summer season now’s the season of hurricanes, wildfires, flooding and typhoons. It is likely to be counterintuitive, however a warmer planet means each flooding and drought, which has a devastating affect on agriculture. Analysis your vacation spot’s local weather and excessive climate occasions. Use apps like Zoom.earth to verify.
Planning for Your Well being: Pack insect repellent throughout mosquito season as they carry ailments like dengue and West Nile. Air air pollution can be a priority. For instance, Chiang Mai’s air is hazy from February to April, so keep away from it within the spring. Use apps like AirVisual to verify air high quality and pack applicable masks (KF94 or N95). Examine the water high quality at your vacation spot. Carry a reusable water bottle or purchase bottled water domestically. Learn worldwide information, and keep updated on vaccinations. Wash fingers regularly and carry hand sanitizer. When you really feel unwell, keep masked, keep away from crowded areas and inform these you have deliberate to satisfy when you check optimistic. Our decisions profoundly affect one another’s well being.
Discovering Pleasure by way of Public Transport: Go for public transportation wherever doable. It gives an actual “slice of life” and lets you people-watch and observe how every place tackles environmental points. Concentrate on the ability sector’s affect, adopted by transportation, agriculture and waste administration.
Journey to Cherished Ones: Contemplate staying with family members, household or associates for touring solo. This reduces stress over logistics and security, offers glorious native suggestions and helps you keep away from vacationer traps. Don’t overlook to deliver items out of your previous vacation spot to say thanks. I really like gifting light-weight and inexpensive pantry staples like native spices, teas, jams or nut butter. From Taiwan, I give Pokemon tissue packs, soaps and litchi honey. From Korea, I seize socks, sunscreen lotion and stainless-steel spoons and chopsticks.
By fostering a extra conscious strategy, we are able to navigate the world with an eye fixed towards sustainability and stewardship. Journey could be a power for good, connecting us to vastly other ways of life and educating us to not take something as a right.
Esther Kim is a contract author based mostly in Taiwan. She was a senior supervisor on the Asian American Writers’ Workshop in New York and Tilted Axis Press in London and a publicist at Columbia College Press. She writes about tradition and the Koreas.
