Select Page

SOURCE: Mashable and Nature Climate Change

DATE: May 7, 2018

SNIP: A new study published this week in the journal Nature Climate Change suggests that vacationing actually releases far more climate change-inducing greenhouse gases into Earth’s atmosphere than previously expected.

When taking into account not only the direct emissions from jet and automobile engines, but also the millions of supply chains needed to feed and support vacationers, researchers found that global tourism today generates 8 percent of the carbon we send into Earth’s atmosphere each year.

Previous studies put estimates at around 3 percent, Arunima Malik, lead author of the study, said in an interview.

These emissions are expected to balloon as travel surges globally.

Unsurprisingly, the U.S. topped the list of the globe’s carbon tourism producers. Germany joins America in the top four, along with China and India, two nations with burgeoning middle classes, whose ability to afford travel is anticipated to grow.