LAST-CHANCE TOURISM
Mary Geller had always wanted to fly to Iceland to visit its mountains and glaciers. Last summer, she finally did that with a group of twenty other tourists. At the top of one remote mountain, they stood on the rocks and looked at a glacier in the distance. Geller was thrilled by the view. However, her excitement was replaced with sadness as she listened to Magnus Olafsson, the tour guide. "Not long ago, this mountain was also covered by that glacier," Olafsson told the group. "Now that part of the glacier is gone, and the rest of it is disappearing too."(lines 1–6)
In fact, Geller decided to go to Iceland precisely because its glaciers are disappearing. Like mountain glaciers worldwide, they are melting because of rising temperatures, and many could disappear completely by 2100. Other wonders of nature are endangered as well. In the oceans, for example, various factors including warmer water temperatures and more powerful storms are fast destroying coral reefs. Elsewhere, huge areas of rainforests are already disappearing as people cut down trees to clear the land for farming and for mining projects.(lines 7–12)
In this troubling reality, nature lovers like Geller have begun going on so-called "last-chance tours" to see such places before they are gone forever. Unfortunately, these tours themselves also damage the environment. In Iceland, for example, visitors to the glaciers cause destruction to the surrounding countryside. "Two million tourists come annually to these wild areas," says Olafsson. "Many disturb local wildlife, such as foxes and birds. They also leave a lot of litter. Moreover, most tourists arrive by long-distance flights, which increase air pollution and in that way contribute to climate change."(lines 13–19)
Recently, environmental experts have made several recommendations to help reduce damage from last-chance tourism. It is recommended, for example, that visitors to vulnerable locations go with experienced tour guides. In addition, near glaciers or in forests, tourists should stay only on marked paths and avoid taking anything like plants, flowers, or rocks from the area. "Such recommendations are simple but extremely important," says Olafsson. "In my opinion, governments should make them into laws."(lines 20–25)
Many tour guides in endangered locations are already making sure visitors follow these recommendations and are also educating them on other ways to help protect the planet. And indeed, many tourists return home determined to make a difference. "These people now donate to organizations that fight global warming," says Olafsson. "Many of them become activists. They speak in schools and community centers, promoting responsible behavior such as reduced use of cars and airplanes. And although these activists themselves went on last-chance tours, they try to convince people it is not a good idea. I hope they succeed."(lines 26–32)