We are increasingly interested in sustainable tourism, but the reality is devastating: our oceans are literally invaded by plastic.
It is true that, little by little, we are beginning to become aware of this problem and, as far as possible, trying to alleviate it. Adopting habits such as recycling or reducing plastic in our daily lives is a big step. But are we doing the same when we travel? It would be good to keep these environmental resolutions also when traveling, especially knowing that tourism is one of the main causes of waste generation. Although it may sound utopian, the only formula is to commit to sustainable tourism.
Throwaway, a dangerous style
According to National Geographic figures, more than eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the sea every year. I’m sure you’re wondering how we got to this point. To understand it, it is enough to take a look around us. Food containers, bags, soft drink bottles, hygiene tools such as swabs, straws… We live surrounded by everyday objects made of this material.
When we are traveling, things get even more complicated, because, almost without realizing it, we get caught up in a whirlwind of “throwaway” items. We are on vacation, relaxed and it seems that we are less conscious.
Can you imagine preparing your trip to a paradise, arriving and it not being as idyllic as you expected? This is what is already happening in many places around the world. More and more the real images correspond less and less with postcard corners.
"Several hotel chains in the archipelago have joined this initiative in favor of the environment and sustainable tourism in Cape Verde."
Sustainable tourism in Cape Verde: an example of good practices
Cape Verde is one of those dream destinations that, like many others, runs the risk of ending up buried under tons of plastic. Contrary to popular belief, most of this waste is not generated by boats, but derives from actions as simple as throwing a plastic bag on the ground.
With such bad luck that it reaches the ocean. The result is garbage that, according to some estimates, will take no less than 500 years to biodegrade. In a world where the “useful life” of a plastic bag (to give a simple example) is only 15 minutes, the situation is worrying.
Responsible travel, a grain of sand
It is in this context that Cape Verde has done its bit to protect the archipelago. Since January 1, 2017, the use and marketing of plastic bags have been banned, thanks to a regulation sponsored by the government itself. This action was taken after verifying that indeed the plagues of plastic bags are causing irreversible damage to the islands and cities. In fact, these items alone account for 11% of solid waste in the archipelago. Hence the urgency to take action.
Moreover, the bags currently in use are biodegradable and have the capacity to decompose in nature in a maximum of 18 months. However, this is only the first step towards the total eradication of plastic, which is expected to continue with bottles.
Responsible tourism is a set of small actions
Several hotel chains in the archipelago have joined this initiative in favor of the environment and sustainable tourism in Cape Verde. For example, some have already managed to eliminate plastic straws, replacing them with biodegradable straws. The difference is abysmal: while a biodegradable straw decomposes in about 40 days, a plastic straw will take about 300 years.
These actions are in addition to a recent campaign spearheaded by the Cape Verdean government to raise awareness of the problem of plastic in the oceans. Of course, the targets of this awareness campaign are not only the locals, but anyone planning to travel to the archipelago.
To bet on a routine and a responsible and sustainable tourism is the only way to safeguard the future, because, as Mark Twain says, is where you are going to spend the rest of your life.
