Unequal jetsetter

 

My love for travel earned me the nickname "Jjampong" from my mom, a bright hodgepodge of cultural influences like the Korean Chinese spicy seafood soup. As a second-generation Korean American in New York, I craved seeing the world even as the world came to New York. Now living in Taiwan, I can easily travel through Asia. Yet, witnessing overtourism and its toll on our planet sparked a conflict, I wonder: how can travel be sustainable?

This summer, a trip to my Korean relatives' mountain village offered a glimpse. Their neighbor, an agricultural worker with a booming voice and laugh, proudly showed us Jiri Mountain's treasures on a road trip. He shared his phone, proudly showcasing a list of free, government-funded activities for his twin daughters — a kind of domestic tourism.

In the car, one of the twins innocently asked me, "Are you rich? You must be rich to travel so much." I laughed and said, “No not at all. It’s not so expensive to travel around Asia.” But her question sparked reflection. While I hop from country to country, they have a home, car and stunning natural surroundings. As a millennial (born 1981-96), I represent a generation lacking stability — no car, house or kids. I have an apartment rental and a strong passport. I’m certainly not alone. Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, are already frequent travelers. To the twins, we look travel-rich, but to me, they look house-rich.

This raises an even bigger question: how can we reconcile the post-pandemic tourism boom with sustainability? Halting travel entirely isn't the answer. However, flying's environmental impact is undeniable. Some, like the "no-jet set," avoid it altogether, and others, like Jack Sweeney, the American student using social media accounts to track celebrity and billionaire jets, calculate their planet-warming emissions, or high environmental cost.

I propose a few ways to travel safely and lightly. Or travel mindfully and demurely, if you’re on TikTok. We must acknowledge the planet's deep inequalities and be better stewards. As science writer Ed Yong said, "With infectious diseases, a single bad decision can do exponential harm. The corollary is that a single wise decision can do exponential good." Let's be good neighbors and develop an awareness of the deeply unequal planet. This is our shared home. Let’s hold corporations and governments accountable. There’s just one Earth.

Safety First: When booking flights, prioritize safety. Research the aircraft type, avoiding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, 777 and 737 MAX due to reported fatal crashes, drops, two whistleblower deaths and safety concerns in 2024.

Planning for the Planet: Consider the season and natural disasters of the destination. 2024 is the hottest year on record, with extreme weather as the norm. Summer now is the season of hurricanes, wildfires, flooding and typhoons. It might be counterintuitive, but a hotter planet means both flooding and drought, which has a devastating impact on agriculture. Research your destination's climate and extreme weather events. Use apps like Zoom.earth to check.

Planning for Your Health: Pack insect repellent during mosquito season as they carry diseases like dengue and West Nile. Air pollution is also a concern. For example, Chiang Mai’s air is hazy from February to April, so avoid it in the spring. Use apps like AirVisual to check air quality and pack appropriate masks (KF94 or N95). Investigate the water quality at your destination. Carry a reusable water bottle or buy bottled water locally. Read international news, and stay up to date on vaccinations. Wash hands frequently and carry hand sanitizer. If you feel unwell, stay masked, avoid crowded areas and inform those you've planned to meet if you test positive. Our choices profoundly influence each other’s health.

Finding Joy through Public Transport: Opt for public transportation wherever possible. It offers a real "slice of life" and allows you to people-watch and observe how each place tackles environmental issues. Focus on the power sector's impact, followed by transportation, agriculture and waste management.

Travel to Loved Ones: Consider staying with relatives, family or friends for traveling solo. This reduces stress over logistics and safety, provides excellent local recommendations and helps you avoid tourist traps. Don’t forget to bring gifts from your past destination to say thank you. I love gifting lightweight and affordable pantry staples like local spices, teas, jams or nut butter. From Taiwan, I give Pokemon tissue packs, soaps and litchi honey. From Korea, I grab socks, sunscreen lotion and stainless-steel spoons and chopsticks.

By fostering a more mindful approach, we can navigate the world with an eye toward sustainability and stewardship. Travel can be a force for good, connecting us to vastly different ways of life and teaching us not to take anything for granted.

Esther Kim is a freelance writer based in Taiwan. She was a senior manager at the Asian American Writers’ Workshop in New York and Tilted Axis Press in London and a publicist at Columbia University Press. She writes about culture and the Koreas.