How Ecotourism Experts Can Improve Their Work by Ruminating on Australia's 'Retreat' from Cocos Islands

How Ecotourism Experts Can Improve Their Work by Ruminating on Australia's 'Retreat' from Cocos Islands

As ecotourism experts, we are often at the forefront of discussing climate change and its far-reaching impacts. Recently, Australia has proposed relocating hundreds of residents from the Cocos Islands due to rising sea levels. In this blog post, we will explore how this development can inform and improve our work in ecotourism.

Understanding the Context The Cocos Islands' Existential Threat

Located 2,936 kilometers west of Australia, the Cocos Islands are a group of 27 small atolls facing an existential threat from coastal erosion and rising sea levels driven by climate change. The Australian government has proposed relocating residents, infrastructure, and essential services within the next 10 to 50 years.

The Implications for Ecotourism A Global Concern

As ecotourism experts, we must acknowledge that this development is not an isolated incident. Many low-lying island nations are forced to contemplate their future due to climate change. In fact, Australia has already offered a landmark treaty with Pacific nation Tuvalu to offer residents the right to live in Australia if rising seas swamp their homeland.

Lessons from Cocos Islands A Call to Action

So, how can we, as ecotourism experts, improve our work by ruminating on this development? Here are some key takeaways

1. The Reality of Climate Change The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has determined with a high degree of confidence that the global mean sea level has risen at rates unseen in at least 3,000 years, driven by human-induced climate change.

2. Long-Term Thinking and Sustainability Australia's proposal to relocate residents from Cocos Islands serves as a stark reminder of the importance of long-term thinking in ecotourism. We must prioritize sustainable practices and mitigate the impact of climate change on our planet.

3. Cultural Preservation and Respect The decision to leave would not be easy for the inhabitants of Cocos Islands, who have lived there for generations. As ecotourism experts, we must appreciate the importance of cultural preservation and ensure that we support initiatives that respect local traditions and customs.

Conclusion A Call to Action

The proposed relocation of residents from Cocos Islands serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address climate change. As ecotourism experts, we have a critical role to play in promoting sustainable practices and mitigating the impact of climate change on our planet. By ruminating on this development, we can improve our work by prioritizing long-term thinking, cultural preservation, and environmental respect.

Keywords Ecotourism, Climate Change, Sustainability, Cultural Preservation, Australia, Cocos Islands

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.