Liveaboards open up some of the best diving in the world. But at a cost to the environment. Sustainable Travel International have launched an online carbon footprint calculator which tells you how much carbon your liveaboard and flights are emitting.
In industrialised countries, like the UK, one person is responsible for around 10 metric tons of carbon a year. A typical week’s liveaboard, according to the calculator, will emit 3.36 mt per person. And that’s before the flight is added. A scary thought that a week’s diving holiday will use up more than a third of your yearly emissions.
The calculator translates your emissions into suggested cost of carbon offsets. These let you invest in environmental projects in order to balance your carbon footprint. Sustainable Travel International offer carbon offsetting themselves, but also proffer advice on how to choose alternative providers.
Schemes offering tree planting have been widely disparaged. But those focusing on “Blue Carbon“, such as protecting and restoring sea grass and mangroves, are better value.
“Travel is fueled by our desire to discover the planet’s natural and cultural wealth. It’s those unparalleled experiences, like snorkeling over a colorful coral reef or sailing between towering ice sheets, that make travel so fulfilling – but climate change puts all of this at risk. If we don’t act now, these destinations and experiences will cease to exist,” said Paloma Zapata, CEO of Sustainable Travel International. “Travel is often viewed as part of the problem, when really it should be part of the solution. We believe that this new calculator has the potential to stimulate climate action by channeling investment to projects that pave the way for a net zero future.”
Main photo: Adobe stock standard license via sustainabletravel.org
