Journey's End II

While I summerised my posts last time out, one can perhaps be forgiven for breezing over it somewhat (it was quite long). If anything is to be gleaned from the last 16 weeks of blogging let it be these 5 ideas:

1.) The impact of travel on our environment has a long history!

Ever since we started to move around the globe humans have been altering the environment through their movements. It is important therefore that we do not simply accept that only been since the industrial revolution and the invention of the steam engine that we have been instigating change through travel (Tickell, 2011), as if we are to find solutions I would argue it is necessary to fully understand the history of our travel impacts.

2.) Travel harms the environment in many ways.

While throughout this blog I have referred to land use change, greenhouse gas emissions and species extinctions as measures, I hope it has not escaped anyone that measures can be read as impacts. At no point either are the impacts of travel and transport limited to these three, as although not covered in this blog the spread of disease could be examined along with environmental (and socioeconomic) strains associated with mass migration as a result of both internal travel into urban areas and international travel. 

3.) We are to blame.

The first step is admitting it. If we are to solve the problems we are encountering we need to accept that we (humans) are the cause. Once this has been communicated to the global population there is chance that people may begin to change their behaviour and forward steps can be taken. If, however, people remain ignorant to the ways in which their travel habits impact upon global environmental change, we will never make progress. To punctuate this point I've added a nice video in which the chair of the IPCC and the Chairman of the California Air Resource Board discuss who is to blame for climate change.

4.) Hope is not lost.

Despite a cynical outlook at certain points, I want to make it clear that the increased emissions, land use change and species extinctions that have been caused through our travel habits, can be mitigated. Whether it be through changing the behaviour of consumers or by supplying more sustainable transport options, there is hope that our society can buck these alarming trends and get back on track.