Impact of Travel on Biodiversity

The planet lost 60% of its wild vertebrates since the 70’s. 

39% of its terrestrial animals, 39% of its marine life, and 76% of all freshwater animals disappeared.

The loss of biodiversity has a direct impact on the natural equilibrium needed for our environment to maintain itself. The Gaia hypothesis proposes that our planet can be visualized as a single living being where each animal participates in its homeostasis. Killing species is removing a part of this cosmic balance, which will affect humans one way or another.

Global warming, habitat destruction, pollution, the introduction of invasive species, and overexploitation are the main threats to biodiversity.

Travelers impact biodiversity when they participate in mass tourism. It’s not unusual to see hotels replacing natural habitats, restaurants encouraging overfishing, or hikers and scuba divers disturbing protected areas.

It’s primordial for travelers to become more mindful and responsible for the way they act abroad. A true cosmopolite feels at home everywhere and treats his environment as such. Anthropocentrism remains foreign to him, as he treats all living beings equally with the same respect.

If you’re not given the chance to support biodiversity by volunteering or growing a garden, at least try not to degrade it when you marvel at the wonders offered by travelling.