As the restrictions for pandemics decrease it is important to think about ethical travel when we return
The threat of climate change that is caused by human activity is one of the top areas in international policy. Climate change caused by humans is associated to the past that has seen industrialization, forest destruction and large-scale agriculture that contribute to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Recently, Canada as well as the United States suffered a deadly heat wave and Germany saw record rainfall that caused flash floods deadly.
It is difficult to comprehend how fast these events are expected to increase and travel, however an unimpeded expansion as restrictions to lockdowns are lifted is counterproductive to the humanity-driven climate change.
Take the aviation industry for instance, which creates between 5 and 8 percent of world carbon emissions and affects the climate most profoundly. In spite of these facts, public debate regarding the relationship between climate change that is caused by humans and air travel is largely unexplored.
We’re at a pivotal moment, not just in terms of the impact we have on the climate but also for fundamentally rethinking how we travel because it hasn’t been a significant aspect of our lives for the past 18 months.
The principle of mobility as a guideline
Mobility has always been a major aspect for the pandemic.
In the beginning, a lot of Canadians were waiting with anticipation for the next announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, about what can and cannot be accomplished due to COVID-19.
While borders were shut and Canadians were instructed to remain home, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada was in the process of drafting the directive to allow travel exemptions for agricultural workers who work seasonal and workers, mostly for the sake of Canadian food security. Permanent residents and international students were also allowed to enter the country.
A waiter wears a mask as he serves patrons at a terrace restaurant in Paris. The French parliament has recently passed a law that requires special vaccines for all restaurants as well as international travel, as well as mandating vaccinations for health professionals of all ages. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
COVID-19 demonstrates how crucial it is to make the necessary changes. Over the past few months, a variety of governments, as well as the European Union, have put forth preliminary plans for vaccination passports.
While vaccination passports are subject to scrutiny, however, the primary motivation for establishing an infrastructure is to allow people back to mobility. On July 1st on the 1st of July, the EU has officially launched the vaccine passport, which allows the citizens to travel without restriction throughout Europe.
The economy and mobility
What does the the future of travel appear to
It isn’t easy to know what the future travel patterns will be. However, the predictions keep rising. We are not only moving as a part of human life, but, it also helps to sustain the global economy — we have to be able to move in order to ensure the sustainability of the economy.
In the absence of a vaccine tra, vel patterns pre-pandemic are slowly returning. For instance, on April 30, 20,20, it was reported that the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) only screened 171,563 air travelers. On April 18th, 2021 TSA had screened 1,572,383 passengers — still way below the approximately two million who traveled through
While some have advocated for a radical reconsideration of the world economy, it is more feasible and achievable to consider rethinking the way we travel instead of destroying the economic system. The growth of the economy and environmental concerns are in conflict.
Ethics in travel and citizenship are big ideas. As part of my study, I found Beau Miles, a YouTuber and academic who has an educational doctorate in the field of outdoor teaching. The underlying theme of Miles’s works was that he would travel in order to “find himself.” That leads to an intriguing question about the deeper ethical connection with travel.