Most people want others to like them, or at least not think too poorly of them. The difference in traveling abroad as an American now that Barak Obama is President vs. George W. Bush is a totally different experience. You are much more likely to hear pro-American statements and I have yet to see anything like this anti-Bush graffiti we saw in Argentina in 2005.
It has become clear to me that the fear of a negative perception by tourists can help initiate environmentally sustainable government policies. One great example is the recent announcement that India has secured $1B from the World Bank to clean up the notoriously polluted Ganges River. This ensures it will remain a natural resource as well as an Indian and international tourist destination.
I would consider many of the efforts we saw this week in Dubai, a city full of contradictions, part of their effort to mitigate a perception as an oil rich city that is totally unaware and uncaring towards serious environmental issues. Some of the more visible efforts were solar powered parking meters, recycling bins – the first we have seen in the Middle East, and advertisements for the brand new 100% electric – zero carbon Metro system.
All of these are of course right next to lush green landscaping which is irrigated with power-intensive desalinated seawater, a building boom (much of which is not green) that is nearly unrivaled in human history and the creation of massive man-made island resorts which are visible from space and are being developed by Nakheel (a division of World Dubai) through the dredging of the sea bottom.
However, with a goal of 10MM tourists per year, even Dubai needs to manage the image it portrays to visitors. And while many of these efforts are small in comparison to the less-environmentally sensitive mega-projects, it proves to me that at some level there is at least awareness of sustainability issues. With the recent recession and financial troubles of World Dubai, this might be the pause that is needed to allow a significant shift to more environmentally sustainable development and policies. In the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy’s 2008 Environmental Performance Index, the UAE ranked 118 of 149 countries*, driven largely by its excessive use of water and emissions of greenhouse gases. Hopefully a country like the UAE with its tremendous resources can be a leader for the rest of the globe to emulate. To that end Amy and I will be meeting with Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Associate Director of Sustainability at Masdar City on Sunday, December 6th. Masdar is the zero-carbon city currently under development in Abu Dhabi. It is a powerful statement by the UAE, and specifically oil rich Abu Dhabi, that they are willing to invest significant resources, $22B to be exact, to develop cutting edge solutions to help transition to a low carbon economy.
The timing of our meeting is appropriate, as many world leaders will be arriving in Copenhagen the next day for the Climate Change Summit. It is expected that a major discussion point will be how to protect the environment without stifling economic growth. Prior to Copenhagen, both India and China announced targets to limit carbon intensity by 20 and 40% respectively, but are not willing to commit to binding emission reduction targets. I believe that tourism should play a critical role in the conversation in Copenhagen as a way to spur economic growth rooted in protecting and preserving the natural environment. Because while a poor ranking on an Environmental Performance Index can be embarrassing, it is often the potential impact to the tourism industry that finally drives action within the government. No government official wants to hurt the tourism industry in counties like the UAE where it is an essential part of the future non-oil economy. Much as the Chinese government took drastic measures during the 2008 Olympics to control air pollution in Beijing when the world’s TV cameras were there, the fear of being labeled as a “dirty” or polluted place by tourists can drive the positive action that is needed.
What do you think? Does the environmental reputation of a destination impact your decision on where to travel and spend your precious dollars?
*The US was ranked 39th, South Africa ranked 97th, China ranked 105th, India ranked 120th
Related posts:
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
As Keith noted – I can put my thoughts here – versus an e-mail repsonse I sent just to Keith. While it is merely a photo Keith took of the Bush name with a sastika – I am always taken aback when I see or hear comparisons of “Dubya” to Nazi’s. It so exagerrates even the worst accusations against Bush, and so minimizes what the Nazi’s did. Are we comparing the scale of Guantanamo to Auschwitz? Similarly when people call Obama a Socialist it is silly. As for traveling around the world and being an American – I traveled internationally during Bush’s two terms and never felt any hostility – certainly no more than before Bush was President – for being an American. I met people that hated Bush – but that was never expressed as a hatred of Americans to me. Nor have I been offered any extra perks since Obama was elected – although if someone wants to give me a discount for a hotel just because Obama is President – I will take it!! Sawasdee khrup, Keith and Amy!!
And I forgot – more important than the politics – I agree with the idea that changed perceptions will lead to changes in behavior. As Keith and Amy are in Thailnad now – many there remember how awful traffic had become in the mid-90′s. Tuk-tuks pumped black smoke into the air and it would actually dirty your clothes in one day of walking around Bangkok. Until the perceptions changed – the laws did not. It moves a little slowly – new tuk-tuk’s have been against the law for years and their numbers are much smaller – and the development of a sky train and subway have really given options to people wishing to be more environmentally friendly – but still need to make a living getting around Bangkok.
John – first I wanted to thank you for taking the time to respond. I agree with you that comparing Bush with the Nazis is way over the top. As you did mention I was just trying to make a point with a picture of someone else’s graffiti we happened to see in Argentina years ago. As an American when I see graffiti like that I’m disheartened that people around the world have those feelings towards my government. And I suspect that it is probably a result of having limited, or one sided information. I did not intend the post to be political, just a reflection of what I have experienced as a pretty dramatic difference in the perceptions of the America Government while abroad under the new administration, although no free stuff yet. I have always felt that people separate me as an American from the policies of my government (W or Obama) and I have never faced personal hostility, but the overall perception of the American government and it’s policies has been quite a bit different for me on this trip vs previous trips abroad. I can also say having taken the Skytrain today it is very nice and much faster, cheaper and cleaner than the Tuk-Tuks that are racing around. Hope this clarifies my position on the post and thanks again for the feedback I welcome the discussion.