On Set Images, Newsletter March 2006

by Patrick Dowling, Environmentalist

Future Shocks Will Test Tourism Alternatives

Link to Web Site

Above all one would like to think that alternative tourism would always strive to be sustainable. But how possible will this be in a world where many sectors on which the tourism industry depends are themselves on trajectories that are set for crash landings before long?

Let us look at two human-activity-shaping factors currently very topical.

One is water. As we near the end of water week 2006 it is fitting to reflect on some of the realities in South Africa and the world. Our own national state of the environment report due out soon will confirm that more than 70% of South Africa’s rivers are in a less than healthy state ecologically with 30% in a critical condition. This is in a dry country where rivers provide essential services that go far beyond looking pretty and providing ideal backdrops for golfing estates. Unfortunately SA is not the odd one out in this regard as the Millenium Ecosystem report makes clear. Globally fresh water systems are in bad shape. Nevertheless our own government, like others in Africa and Asia, wants to press ahead with grandiose new dam plans and interbasin transfers that will further compromise the integrity of water systems with ripple effects on the coast, fisheries and tourism. Only recently one of Cape Town’s Blue Flag beaches had its flag lowered because of unacceptable water quality.

While the water problems could be addressed and the negative trends swung around with sufficient political will and citizen buy-in, energy will probably prove a more intractable challenge. Every year we, the world, use up the equivalent of about the volume of seven Table Mountain chains (Cape Town to Cape Point) filled with oil. This is a lot and equates to the consumption of 400 years of the carbonferous epoch’s production of future fuel (that’s now) being used up every day. Whether what remains will last five years or fifty is not too relevant to the fact that in geological terms we are very close to the end of this energy boost bonanza on which so many of our good fortunes have depended. Coal, gas and uranium may offer grace period extensions, but ultimately with our wind turbines whirring and photovoltaic panels sizzling we will have to face the crunch as cars, factories, furnaces, production lines, mines, combine harvesters, jumbo jets and yes, tour buses, just stop.

Are we ready for all this, ready to work hard at changing behaviour that is accelerating the crisis, and ready to innovate and adapt in such a way that we spare ourselves and our children unbearable trauma? Time to start planning those dirigible and sailing ship alternative holidays, encouraging closer to home recreational and productive activities. Above all tourism must use its great human energy and communication strengths to join in the efforts of environmentalists to adjust attitudes and make sustainability a practical, believable goal and not an abused buzz word.

Western Cape Region
Tel: +27 (0)21 701-1397
Cell: +27 (0)84 966-1249
Fax: +27 (0)21 701-1399
PO Box 30145, Tokai, 7966, South Africa
www.wessa.org.za (national website)

patrick@wessa.wcape.school.za