It is understandable why the green lobby and the tourism industry has brought into question the justification for volunteering abroad and why volunteers sometimes feel like they are caught in a conundrum.
Global warming is one of the most serious threats facing the world and some of the leading campaign groups have stated that the most ethical thing we can do for the environment is to stay at home. Whilst we can all agree that the best form of travel is to avoid flying, we should not stop flying altogether. That would send us back to the dark ages with massive unemployment (1 in 10 people work in the tourism sector), business recession, and increased poverty (deepening recession, increased unemployment and worsening poverty is not conducive to creating new lower carbon technologies and lifestyles).
There are many people who rely on tourism for their livelihoods and many natural habitats depend on visitors for their survival. If you want evidence of this you should look no further than Latin America. Tourism is a big contributor to the economy of many Latin American countries and the industry generated nearly US$2 billion in Costa Rica alone in 2007 (three-fifths of GNP). Tourism helps support some of Latin America’s most fragile natural habitats and if we stopped flying there many national parks and private reserves will lose their incomes, deforestation will increase and global warming will accelerate. Unless we support the people and communities now making money through ecotourism they have no other choice but to exploit natural resources.
Similarly, it is worth noting the importance of international volunteers to conservation efforts in the region. Without the commitment and financial support of international volunteers, many organizations would be unable to carry out their vital work. This is because there is generally very little governmental or outside support for these organisations and the projects which they manage. Your contribution as a volunteer could help ensure the long-term survival of a tropical forest or an endangered species. This is because you are actively participating in the conservation of that habitat or species. The participation of international volunteers also enables money to reach grassroots level of society and this can change a small communities perception of their environment or an endangered species.
The question of whether it is possible to be an ethical volunteer seems to largely rest on the ability to make informed choices before and during your trip. If you choose the right project, minimise the impact of your travel, maximise the benefits for local economies, and stay for a considerable period of time, then you can most definitely volunteer abroad with a clean conscience.
It is worth mentioning the importance of choosing the right project before setting off and the key message is – do your research if you want to so some really valuable work. Prospective volunteers must examine the work they will be doing and how it affects local people and the natural environment. Although there are some good placement companies out there, a do-it-yourself placement is the most ethical form of volunteering as you work directly with the host organization. You also have the assurance that all your money goes to the cause rather than paying for the marketing and administration expenses of a volunteer placement (sending) agency. If you opt to work through an agency please be aware that some of these agencies offer little more than glorified holidays and others are more interested in making money than helping the environment or providing sustainable and well-targeted help for local communities. No one benefits from these placements apart from the companies that organise them. An ethical volunteer ensures that as much of their money as possible reaches the grassroots level of society. Eco-conscious travellers should consider contributing to a project that helps reduce the impact of climate change and/or provides a hands-on approach to offsetting their own carbon emissions.
It is also worth mentioning the length of time volunteers spend overseas. You are clearly going to do more harm than good if you travel all the way to Costa Rica from the UK (a carbon-heavy 8,700km flight) to rescue sea turtles and stay for only a few weeks. To maximise the benefits for local communities and negate the environmental impact of your flight you need to contribute to a project for a much longer period of time. A long stay is more sustainable if travelling long distances as this will enable you to minimise the impact of your flight. The time spent as a volunteer is time not spent contributing to carbon emissions in your home country (i.e. non use of home appliances, zero emissions form you car, etc). A long stay also eliminates the need to take several shorter holidays throughout the year.
In reality, the dramatic growth in short breaks and cheap flights is a more pressing issue than questioning the justification for volunteering abroad, particularly if volunteers wish to devote their time and energy to do something positive for the environment. Those who want to stop us flying should focus more on the business and the leisure side of flying rather people wanting to make a difference (e.g. those that fly with a purpose). The destruction of the Amazon and other tropical forests around the world should also be a priority for campaign groups (e.g. air travel accounts for less than 5% of carbon dioxide emissions, clearing tropical forests for agriculture is estimated to produce 18% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions – more than the entire global transport system).
…
Stephen Knight is the webmaster of Volunteer Latin America and the main contributor to the Latin Lounge. We enable volunteers to work abroad without paying large participation or placement fees. We are your gateway to independent volunteering in Central and South America. Learn more at: http://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/
Read more articles written by Stephen Knight
Related posts:
- Your House is Clean, But is It Green?
Cleaning a home or business is often a ritualistic experience, and one meant to remove matter we deem as dangerous, unhealthy or unpleasant to those living or working there. It All Adds Up Think about what you do and what products you use when you clean. You spray glass cleaner... - How To Clean A Wool Rug
Surprisingly enough, cleaning a wool rug is a lot easier than most people think. By following these simple steps you will be able to clean your wool rug and save the money you would normally spend to have it professionally cleaned. You will need a vacuum, a bucket, mild detergent,... - Clean Your Office and Get Back Six Weeks of Time!
The Wall Street Journal reported that people lose as much as six weeks a year just searching for information. Can you afford that kind of time loss? No one can. Yes, you can work in chaos... - The Top 5 Reasons to Insulate Your Home This Summer
For homeowners who have been considering adding home insulation – this summer is the time to do it. 1.) Last Chance for the Energy Tax Credit – This is the final year that homeowners are eligible to receive an energy tax credit for adding home insulation. The American Recovery and... - Sightseeing Opportunities That Should Not Be Missed In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is known for its rustic charm and opportunities to escape in a beautiful, undisturbed natural environment or charming small town. While enjoying the many activities available, there are also a multitude of places to stay. In this article, we will discuss the range of lodging accommodations available in Pennsylvania,... - Conserve the Forests with FSC Certified Wood Components
A huge source of apprehension for those concerned with forestry issues: the illegal exploitation of natural forests. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) has gone to great lengths to address this problem. They ensure that wood bearing the mark “FSC Certified” was harvested under all applicable laws and treaties. Those flying... - Gas Spikes Lead To Alternate Fuel Popularity
Tired of paying from your bottomless wallet for gas prices that can double in no time? Commuting has grown beyond expensive for the average American household, leaving many Americans researching alternative fuel sources. Not only do these alternatives offer new tax breaks, but they can also save a great deal... - Health Tourism is a Growing Trend in Healthcare
Many people in the United States are finding themselves out of a job and also without valuable health insurance. When costly medical procedures are needed, they cannot afford to have them done in the US. Therefore, many people are traveling to foreign countries to have the procedures done. This is... - New German Travel Portal Now Online
New German travel portal TopTravelAngebot.de now online. Free and easy access to the German travel market for all travel providers. Recently the new website www.toptravelangebot.de went online. A German travel portal where the tourism industry can advertise hotel offers, holiday homes, restaurants, promotions, events and holiday related press releases free... - Bed And Breakfast Owners Understand Tourism
When was the last time you stayed at a bed and breakfast (b&b) on your vacation? If the answer is never, I am about to introduce you to one of the most underutilized vacation resources. Otherwise, I am about to tell you how you can get the most out of... - The Three W’s of Oxygen Sensors
Unless you are an automobile mechanic or work around car parts, you probably do not know anything about oxygen sensors. Of course, the name itself gives a pretty big clue, but still leaves a lot to the imagination. The fact is, oxygen sensors are very important to the overall function... - Are You Fighting The Secret Formula?
Those who know me – know I’m in love with airplanes and science. (Yes – your Sales Diva is secretly a nerd) I “grew-up” in a little red and white Cessna 120 airplane. My father trained for his pilot’s license when I was 11 years old and for years I... - Vacation Apartments In Florence: Save Your Money And Feel At Home
Florence is arguably one of, if not the, most beautiful cities in the world. It is on virtually everyone’s “places to see” list and the best way to see a city like Florence is like a local. It is a city best taken in slowly, the same way you would... - Need a New Business Name? Try an Extended Metaphor
Sometimes a business name functions simply as a name, like Constant Contact, the email service that delivers newsletters. Look at their web site and you won’t easily find any images or wordplay that take off from the words “constant” or “contact.” On the other hand, Named At Last, my company,... - Help Desk Software: Exploring Deployment Options
IT professionals of today tend to have high expectations with regard to the software tools they use to track and manage their customer issues. Almost everyone who is researching Help Desk software is looking for the application that has the most powerful feature set at the best price. Obviously it...