Climate change has become a catastrophic challenge for all ecosystems, including humans, resulting in increased unrelenting heat, fires, and food security challenges. As per the estimation of The World Health Organization climate change will cause around 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050.
The tourism sector depends on environmental resources and is highly vulnerable to climate change while the length and quality of tourism seasons are defined by climate. Tourism is also a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, causing about 8% of the emissions that cause global warming, due to various modes of transportation, food and accommodation services,
The Indian climate’s own version of ‘unity in diversity’ plays a significant role in attracting tourists. While moving from one destination to another, tourists can choose to stay in different types of climates and enjoy the changing weather. Weather influences the tourist’s experience and tourists’ satisfaction is partly dependent on the weather
The 2023 Gross Domestic Climate Risk report released by the Cross Dependency Initiative (XDI) identifies nine Indian states among the top 50 regions in the world with the highest risk of damage due to climate change. Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, Assam, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Kerala. Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Bihar had the highest Aggregated Damage Ratio (ADR), which is the total built environment damage to a particular region in 2050. China followed by India and the United States of America had the highest number of regions. As per the report, 80 % of the top 50 most at-risk states and provinces in 2050 are in China, the United States, or India. Regarding overall damage risk, Asia has the most to lose due to climate change but also has the most to gain from preventing worsening climate change and accelerating climate-resilient investment.
The twofold relationship between tourism and climate change makes tourism impacts climate change and climate change impacts tourism as well. The former relationship requires adaptation measures, such as shifting destinations, seasons, and activities. Travel companies and hotels should take steps to reduce emissions from food, such as reducing food waste, using local produce, or using renewable energies and low-carbon footprint products. It is high time to act for sustainable growth of the tourism industry.
Rajani. A
Editor
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