International Day for biological diversity: celebrate by protecting biodiversity, not promoting tourism

Friends of the Earth International criticizes the UN Convention on Biodiversity for promoting tourism as a tool for biodiversity conservation. The statement argues that mainstream tourism leads to the eviction of indigenous peoples, destruction of ecosystems like mangrove forests, and excessive resource consumption, including high water usage and food waste. It highlights that 5% of global emissions are linked to tourism and warns that the aviation industry's planned 700% growth by 2050, supported by REDD offsets, is unsustainable. The document calls for a fundamental change in the tourism business model and policies that prioritize the rights and self-determination of local communities over corporate profit.

• Mainstream tourism frequently results in human rights violations and environmental degradation, including the eviction of indigenous peoples for resorts and the destruction of valuable ecosystems.
• Tourism operations cause severe resource strain and pollution, with some tourists using 16 times more water than local residents and cruise liners discharging up to 3.8 billion litres of sewage into oceans.
• The tourism sector is a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for 5% of global emissions, with the aviation industry projecting a 700% growth by 2050.
• The document characterizes REDD programs, which the aviation industry intends to use to offset increased emissions, as a 'false solution' and 'desperately unsustainable'.
• While community-based tourism projects can protect territories and cultures, many sustainable tourism initiatives are not viable or fail to provide local communities with revenue and self-determination.

APA

admin (2017). International Day for biological diversity: celebrate by protecting biodiversity, not promoting tourism. Friends of the Earth International. https://www.foei.org/international-day-for-biological-diversity-celebrate-by-protecting-biodiversity-not-promoting-tourism/

Chicago

admin. International Day for biological diversity: celebrate by protecting biodiversity, not promoting tourism. Friends of the Earth International, 2017. https://www.foei.org/international-day-for-biological-diversity-celebrate-by-protecting-biodiversity-not-promoting-tourism/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=admin |title=International Day for biological diversity: celebrate by protecting biodiversity, not promoting tourism |publisher=Friends of the Earth International |date=21 May 2017 |url=https://www.foei.org/international-day-for-biological-diversity-celebrate-by-protecting-biodiversity-not-promoting-tourism/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{admin2017international, author = {admin}, title = {{International Day for biological diversity: celebrate by protecting biodiversity, not promoting tourism}}, publisher = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2017}, month = may, url = {https://www.foei.org/international-day-for-biological-diversity-celebrate-by-protecting-biodiversity-not-promoting-tourism/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }