The Last Tourist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will give an F about climate change when whichever President and the likes of John Kerry/ any State department people/ any UN people start flying commercial, especially economy as they are using my tax dollars.

Their motto: do as I say, not as I do. Eliminate the Paris agreements until they all start setting examples themselves.

We are not sheep for these climate change hypocrites.

Eh, strange to fixate on high level politicians who have legit security reasons to travel differently from the rest of us.

The real issue is that America actually does a terrific job of taking steps to protect the earth while the vast majority of the world simply does not. We aren’t the problem, so we can’t really be the solution. Even if every American stopped traveling abroad, the environment wouldn’t really feel a positive impact. Plus, like it or not, our tourist dollars matter. Bigly. Just ask people impacted by the pandemic.

you are seriously kidding yourself if you think America is doing a "terrific job" at protecting the earth. Do you know how much recycling actually gets recycled? How much waste we produce? How much of a single-use culture we have to many others? Now, are we doing better than some, absolutely- in limited numbers of areas- namely cities such as DC, NY, LA, SF. Go to Northern Europe- they turn composting into energy, have alternative energy sources in abundance, electric or hybrid cars everywhere, recycling (that is actually recycled) for batteries, electronics, light bulbs, etc in every grocery store, recycling pick up to include compost. That's actually doing a terrific job.

Compare what America is doing versus China, India, Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, and even large parts of the EU.

The reality is we aren’t the big polluter despite our size and population. We just aren’t.

There are dozens of reports on this. Google it.

No, you show us the evidence to support this ridiculous claim.

The US is the world’s second biggest polluter, second only to China whose pollution outweighs ours by a very large factor BUT a very large portion of it is in producing goods to sell primarily to our markets, so we are deeply responsible for much of China’s pollution.

The US is far bigger and more densely populated than most countries. Hence: second biggest polluter.

There are studies that show where our pollution actually comes from. ICYMI: it’s corporations, not individuals.

Corporations developed the whole recycling environmental protections thing to shift focus from a legit criticism of corporations.

Actually, it isn't just pollution- which yes, is mostly tied to corporations- across the board. The US is by far the LARGEST consumer-driven country in the world:

"The largest consumer markets are the US, China, Japan, Germany and the UK making up about half of the global consumer economy. The US consumer market alone makes up almost 29 % of global consumer spending."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_consumer_markets

So again, continue to pat yourself on the back but until you stop buying random things daily/weekly from Amazon or fill-in the blank retailer, don't sit there and say how great the US is doing. China, by no means is the beacon of positive environmental policies but much of the manufacturing of said goods purchased by US consumers is made in China. Buy fewer good, need fewer factories. Completely simplified of course.

Add that to all of the fast food, Starbucks, quick eats, and single-use items US consumers are consuming and therefore throwing away every single day...this FAR outpaces literally anywhere else in the world. Partly because most places don't have large swaths of the population who can afford it but that's an entirely different story/soapbox.

[Anonymous]

Orphanage segment:

They call it neocolonialism deeply rooted in prejudice.

Emotional impact is invisible.

Dollars donated are tangible.

No clue why the orphanage allows/encourages the kids to perform? That’s on the government and staff.

Orphanage tourism is a big business in Cambodia. 80% of kids in care have at least one living parent. Sad. Poverty is the driving force here…blame the government, not tourists.

I disagree with the criticism that some volunteers lack credentials. A critic says this wouldn’t happen in other countries. I suppose she doesn’t realize Teach for America doesn’t require teaching credentials before sending young adults into schools, eh?

These poor kids need families, love, and support.

The film blames the volunteers for inflicting harm. They allege kids are separated from their families solely for the benefit of volunteer tourism…akin to the elephants separated from their parents for entertainment. If that’s truly the case, blame the government and their lack of action if kids are taken from their homes to live in human zoos. Although I suspect this really isn’t the case. The more likely truth is parents can’t care for their own (multiple) kids.

[Anonymous]

No one except the President needs private air travel. No one. At our expense!! They are not more important than you or me. I too cannot stand the climate hypocrites. Look at all those black SUVs trolling around the DC area every time some "gov official" or Supreme Court idiot leaves their home or office.

The worst polluters are people who have more than one child. 400 effing million people in the USA and 8 billion in the world. No wonder the animals are dying out. Every time you see development up I-270 or out to Winchester we have killed the environment. Don't be one of those people.

In the meantime, enjoy your trip to wherever. Hold the real offenders accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will give an F about climate change when whichever President and the likes of John Kerry/ any State department people/ any UN people start flying commercial, especially economy as they are using my tax dollars.

Their motto: do as I say, not as I do. Eliminate the Paris agreements until they all start setting examples themselves.

We are not sheep for these climate change hypocrites.

Eh, strange to fixate on high level politicians who have legit security reasons to travel differently from the rest of us.

The real issue is that America actually does a terrific job of taking steps to protect the earth while the vast majority of the world simply does not. We aren’t the problem, so we can’t really be the solution. Even if every American stopped traveling abroad, the environment wouldn’t really feel a positive impact. Plus, like it or not, our tourist dollars matter. Bigly. Just ask people impacted by the pandemic.

you are seriously kidding yourself if you think America is doing a "terrific job" at protecting the earth. Do you know how much recycling actually gets recycled? How much waste we produce? How much of a single-use culture we have to many others? Now, are we doing better than some, absolutely- in limited numbers of areas- namely cities such as DC, NY, LA, SF. Go to Northern Europe- they turn composting into energy, have alternative energy sources in abundance, electric or hybrid cars everywhere, recycling (that is actually recycled) for batteries, electronics, light bulbs, etc in every grocery store, recycling pick up to include compost. That's actually doing a terrific job.

Compare what America is doing versus China, India, Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, and even large parts of the EU.

The reality is we aren’t the big polluter despite our size and population. We just aren’t.

There are dozens of reports on this. Google it.

No, you show us the evidence to support this ridiculous claim.

The US is the world’s second biggest polluter, second only to China whose pollution outweighs ours by a very large factor BUT a very large portion of it is in producing goods to sell primarily to our markets, so we are deeply responsible for much of China’s pollution.

The US is far bigger and more densely populated than most countries. Hence: second biggest polluter.

There are studies that show where our pollution actually comes from. ICYMI: it’s corporations, not individuals.

Corporations developed the whole recycling environmental protections thing to shift focus from a legit criticism of corporations.

Actually, it isn't just pollution- which yes, is mostly tied to corporations- across the board. The US is by far the LARGEST consumer-driven country in the world:

"The largest consumer markets are the US, China, Japan, Germany and the UK making up about half of the global consumer economy. The US consumer market alone makes up almost 29 % of global consumer spending."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_consumer_markets

So again, continue to pat yourself on the back but until you stop buying random things daily/weekly from Amazon or fill-in the blank retailer, don't sit there and say how great the US is doing. China, by no means is the beacon of positive environmental policies but much of the manufacturing of said goods purchased by US consumers is made in China. Buy fewer good, need fewer factories. Completely simplified of course.

Add that to all of the fast food, Starbucks, quick eats, and single-use items US consumers are consuming and therefore throwing away every single day...this FAR outpaces literally anywhere else in the world. Partly because most places don't have large swaths of the population who can afford it but that's an entirely different story/soapbox.

I really hate it when people deflect and don’t own their contribution to a problem. Of course the US is a huge polluter and the upper middle classes of D.C. and the like bare a far heftier responsibility than the poorer folk. You can stick to your love of travel but at least be honest with yourself and don’t try to kid yourself and others.

[Anonymous]

We are all complicit, people, especially if we have enough money to travel to another country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Volunteer tourism is awful, I will give you that.

So what’s your solution? How else can the nonprofits caring for orphans, educating children, providing desperately needed healthcare, food, whatever survive without this funding stream?

Icymi: the government isn’t equipped to provide the funding or services…despite buckets of money from the US government. Locals aren’t equipped to step up.

I suppose your solution is simply that Americans should send money instead of volunteering AND giving money, right? That would be nice. But the reality is their business model relies on tugging on heartstrings to prompt volunteers to not only donate long term but also help with fundraising through their own networks.

All of this matters.

Unless you have a better solution, pp?

Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify volunteer tourism is ridiculous. It is gross, predatory, oppressive, manipulative and feeding into your savior complex. Want to help these nonprofits? Donate your money. You don't need a trip to pat orphans on the head and take their picture. Just donate. FFS it isn't complicated.

What about church groups doing mission trips to bring supplies, provide healthcare, build homes or hospitals AND donate $$$$$?

What about lawyers showing up in groups to provide pro bono asylum assistance?

Do you only take issue with orphanages? Even if the mission trip/tour group brings critically needed supplies (more easily transported by a group so as to avoid theft by the government or cartels) and large cash transfers?

What about schools?

No, I don't only take on orphanages. The entire volunteer tourism industry is BS. You don't need a trip to make yourself feel better. Mission trips are completely awful ways to try to convert people to their religion, disguised as help. Want to help? Leave the religion out of it. Completely.

Pro bono lawyers do asylum work here in the US. I do it. I don't need a volunteer tourism trip to do it. So enough with your BS. I actually volunteer, regularly, for decades, in my community. I get my hands dirty, I'm invested, I am bought in. I don't need to pay a company to take me to Haiti to bring school supplies, paint their school for a week, and take some photos of some very poor children, post on FB, and leave.

So, the mission trips I’m familiar with partner a church here with a church-based group abroad. There’s no active conversion because the locals are already bought into the religion OR there simply isn’t a religious aspect. All the money, supplies, services, etc. benefit people who otherwise would suffer. The support simply isn’t there otherwise.

I’m a lawyer whose entire career has been dedicated to human rights and anti-poverty work. My org works around the globe. We do immigration work through partnerships with other orgs and volunteers. It’s highly impactful at both the systemic and individual levels. I see both sides of this complex issue; the money matters, and volunteers bring the money.

I think the orphanages are the most problematic, but the issue isn’t the volunteers. If orphanages are the solution to meet the basic needs of thousands of children and the government can’t fund them and regulate them, then what’s the solution? “Just give” doesn’t meet the need, which is why they went this route in the first place. I’m sure there’s a better way to regulate and protect, and I hope there’s more systemic problem solving and infrastructure building developed to better equip families to stay intact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Volunteer tourism is awful, I will give you that.

So what’s your solution? How else can the nonprofits caring for orphans, educating children, providing desperately needed healthcare, food, whatever survive without this funding stream?

Icymi: the government isn’t equipped to provide the funding or services…despite buckets of money from the US government. Locals aren’t equipped to step up.

I suppose your solution is simply that Americans should send money instead of volunteering AND giving money, right? That would be nice. But the reality is their business model relies on tugging on heartstrings to prompt volunteers to not only donate long term but also help with fundraising through their own networks.

All of this matters.

Unless you have a better solution, pp?

Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify volunteer tourism is ridiculous. It is gross, predatory, oppressive, manipulative and feeding into your savior complex. Want to help these nonprofits? Donate your money. You don't need a trip to pat orphans on the head and take their picture. Just donate. FFS it isn't complicated.

What about church groups doing mission trips to bring supplies, provide healthcare, build homes or hospitals AND donate $$$$$?

What about lawyers showing up in groups to provide pro bono asylum assistance?

Do you only take issue with orphanages? Even if the mission trip/tour group brings critically needed supplies (more easily transported by a group so as to avoid theft by the government or cartels) and large cash transfers?

What about schools?

No, I don't only take on orphanages. The entire volunteer tourism industry is BS. You don't need a trip to make yourself feel better. Mission trips are completely awful ways to try to convert people to their religion, disguised as help. Want to help? Leave the religion out of it. Completely.

Pro bono lawyers do asylum work here in the US. I do it. I don't need a volunteer tourism trip to do it. So enough with your BS. I actually volunteer, regularly, for decades, in my community. I get my hands dirty, I'm invested, I am bought in. I don't need to pay a company to take me to Haiti to bring school supplies, paint their school for a week, and take some photos of some very poor children, post on FB, and leave.

So, the mission trips I’m familiar with partner a church here with a church-based group abroad. There’s no active conversion because the locals are already bought into the religion OR there simply isn’t a religious aspect. All the money, supplies, services, etc. benefit people who otherwise would suffer. The support simply isn’t there otherwise.

I’m a lawyer whose entire career has been dedicated to human rights and anti-poverty work. My org works around the globe. We do immigration work through partnerships with other orgs and volunteers. It’s highly impactful at both the systemic and individual levels. I see both sides of this complex issue; the money matters, and volunteers bring the money.

I think the orphanages are the most problematic, but the issue isn’t the volunteers. If orphanages are the solution to meet the basic needs of thousands of children and the government can’t fund them and regulate them, then what’s the solution? “Just give” doesn’t meet the need, which is why they went this route in the first place. I’m sure there’s a better way to regulate and protect, and I hope there’s more systemic problem solving and infrastructure building developed to better equip families to stay intact.

You can pat yourself on the back to up your ego for all the work you do with that colonialism attitude that you know better and are their savior. We are talking about volunteer tourism. Good luck justifying. Volunteer tourism is wrong. 100% wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will give an F about climate change when whichever President and the likes of John Kerry/ any State department people/ any UN people start flying commercial, especially economy as they are using my tax dollars.

Their motto: do as I say, not as I do. Eliminate the Paris agreements until they all start setting examples themselves.

We are not sheep for these climate change hypocrites.

Eh, strange to fixate on high level politicians who have legit security reasons to travel differently from the rest of us.

The real issue is that America actually does a terrific job of taking steps to protect the earth while the vast majority of the world simply does not. We aren’t the problem, so we can’t really be the solution. Even if every American stopped traveling abroad, the environment wouldn’t really feel a positive impact. Plus, like it or not, our tourist dollars matter. Bigly. Just ask people impacted by the pandemic.

you are seriously kidding yourself if you think America is doing a "terrific job" at protecting the earth. Do you know how much recycling actually gets recycled? How much waste we produce? How much of a single-use culture we have to many others? Now, are we doing better than some, absolutely- in limited numbers of areas- namely cities such as DC, NY, LA, SF. Go to Northern Europe- they turn composting into energy, have alternative energy sources in abundance, electric or hybrid cars everywhere, recycling (that is actually recycled) for batteries, electronics, light bulbs, etc in every grocery store, recycling pick up to include compost. That's actually doing a terrific job.

Compare what America is doing versus China, India, Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, and even large parts of the EU.

The reality is we aren’t the big polluter despite our size and population. We just aren’t.

There are dozens of reports on this. Google it.

No, you show us the evidence to support this ridiculous claim.

The US is the world’s second biggest polluter, second only to China whose pollution outweighs ours by a very large factor BUT a very large portion of it is in producing goods to sell primarily to our markets, so we are deeply responsible for much of China’s pollution.

The US is far bigger and more densely populated than most countries. Hence: second biggest polluter.

There are studies that show where our pollution actually comes from. ICYMI: it’s corporations, not individuals.

Corporations developed the whole recycling environmental protections thing to shift focus from a legit criticism of corporations.

Actually, it isn't just pollution- which yes, is mostly tied to corporations- across the board. The US is by far the LARGEST consumer-driven country in the world:

"The largest consumer markets are the US, China, Japan, Germany and the UK making up about half of the global consumer economy. The US consumer market alone makes up almost 29 % of global consumer spending."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_consumer_markets

So again, continue to pat yourself on the back but until you stop buying random things daily/weekly from Amazon or fill-in the blank retailer, don't sit there and say how great the US is doing. China, by no means is the beacon of positive environmental policies but much of the manufacturing of said goods purchased by US consumers is made in China. Buy fewer good, need fewer factories. Completely simplified of course.

Add that to all of the fast food, Starbucks, quick eats, and single-use items US consumers are consuming and therefore throwing away every single day...this FAR outpaces literally anywhere else in the world. Partly because most places don't have large swaths of the population who can afford it but that's an entirely different story/soapbox.

I really hate it when people deflect and don’t own their contribution to a problem. Of course the US is a huge polluter and the upper middle classes of D.C. and the like bare a far heftier responsibility than the poorer folk. You can stick to your love of travel but at least be honest with yourself and don’t try to kid yourself and others.

I don't recall or even rereading anything written saying anything about also not being a part of the problem. Did I say anywhere, Americans except for me? That being said, I am probably the most minimalistic person I know and most conscientious about recycling and composting however; I am far from perfect and would never claim to be. I also said nothing about loving traveling and while I actually do, you are putting words that just aren't written. Comprehension and actually reading what's in front of you versus what you want to read are important skills. My elementary-aged child does a better job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Volunteer tourism is awful, I will give you that.

So what’s your solution? How else can the nonprofits caring for orphans, educating children, providing desperately needed healthcare, food, whatever survive without this funding stream?

Icymi: the government isn’t equipped to provide the funding or services…despite buckets of money from the US government. Locals aren’t equipped to step up.

I suppose your solution is simply that Americans should send money instead of volunteering AND giving money, right? That would be nice. But the reality is their business model relies on tugging on heartstrings to prompt volunteers to not only donate long term but also help with fundraising through their own networks.

All of this matters.

Unless you have a better solution, pp?

Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify volunteer tourism is ridiculous. It is gross, predatory, oppressive, manipulative and feeding into your savior complex. Want to help these nonprofits? Donate your money. You don't need a trip to pat orphans on the head and take their picture. Just donate. FFS it isn't complicated.

What about church groups doing mission trips to bring supplies, provide healthcare, build homes or hospitals AND donate $$$$$?

What about lawyers showing up in groups to provide pro bono asylum assistance?

Do you only take issue with orphanages? Even if the mission trip/tour group brings critically needed supplies (more easily transported by a group so as to avoid theft by the government or cartels) and large cash transfers?

What about schools?

No, I don't only take on orphanages. The entire volunteer tourism industry is BS. You don't need a trip to make yourself feel better. Mission trips are completely awful ways to try to convert people to their religion, disguised as help. Want to help? Leave the religion out of it. Completely.

Pro bono lawyers do asylum work here in the US. I do it. I don't need a volunteer tourism trip to do it. So enough with your BS. I actually volunteer, regularly, for decades, in my community. I get my hands dirty, I'm invested, I am bought in. I don't need to pay a company to take me to Haiti to bring school supplies, paint their school for a week, and take some photos of some very poor children, post on FB, and leave.

So, the mission trips I’m familiar with partner a church here with a church-based group abroad. There’s no active conversion because the locals are already bought into the religion OR there simply isn’t a religious aspect. All the money, supplies, services, etc. benefit people who otherwise would suffer. The support simply isn’t there otherwise.

I’m a lawyer whose entire career has been dedicated to human rights and anti-poverty work. My org works around the globe. We do immigration work through partnerships with other orgs and volunteers. It’s highly impactful at both the systemic and individual levels. I see both sides of this complex issue; the money matters, and volunteers bring the money.

I think the orphanages are the most problematic, but the issue isn’t the volunteers. If orphanages are the solution to meet the basic needs of thousands of children and the government can’t fund them and regulate them, then what’s the solution? “Just give” doesn’t meet the need, which is why they went this route in the first place. I’m sure there’s a better way to regulate and protect, and I hope there’s more systemic problem solving and infrastructure building developed to better equip families to stay intact.

The issue with orphanages in Nepal was definitely due to the volunteers. Perhaps that’s not the case in other countries. The demand for volunteerism gave rise to a lucrative demand for volunteer opportunities that could not be met by the actual number of orphans and hence resulted in child trafficking and gross exploitation.

https://amp.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/may/27/nepal-bogus-orphan-trade-voluntourism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will give an F about climate change when whichever President and the likes of John Kerry/ any State department people/ any UN people start flying commercial, especially economy as they are using my tax dollars.

Their motto: do as I say, not as I do. Eliminate the Paris agreements until they all start setting examples themselves.

We are not sheep for these climate change hypocrites.

Eh, strange to fixate on high level politicians who have legit security reasons to travel differently from the rest of us.

The real issue is that America actually does a terrific job of taking steps to protect the earth while the vast majority of the world simply does not. We aren’t the problem, so we can’t really be the solution. Even if every American stopped traveling abroad, the environment wouldn’t really feel a positive impact. Plus, like it or not, our tourist dollars matter. Bigly. Just ask people impacted by the pandemic.

you are seriously kidding yourself if you think America is doing a "terrific job" at protecting the earth. Do you know how much recycling actually gets recycled? How much waste we produce? How much of a single-use culture we have to many others? Now, are we doing better than some, absolutely- in limited numbers of areas- namely cities such as DC, NY, LA, SF. Go to Northern Europe- they turn composting into energy, have alternative energy sources in abundance, electric or hybrid cars everywhere, recycling (that is actually recycled) for batteries, electronics, light bulbs, etc in every grocery store, recycling pick up to include compost. That's actually doing a terrific job.

Compare what America is doing versus China, India, Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, and even large parts of the EU.

The reality is we aren’t the big polluter despite our size and population. We just aren’t.

There are dozens of reports on this. Google it.

No, you show us the evidence to support this ridiculous claim.

The US is the world’s second biggest polluter, second only to China whose pollution outweighs ours by a very large factor BUT a very large portion of it is in producing goods to sell primarily to our markets, so we are deeply responsible for much of China’s pollution.

The US is far bigger and more densely populated than most countries. Hence: second biggest polluter.

There are studies that show where our pollution actually comes from. ICYMI: it’s corporations, not individuals.

Corporations developed the whole recycling environmental protections thing to shift focus from a legit criticism of corporations.

Actually, it isn't just pollution- which yes, is mostly tied to corporations- across the board. The US is by far the LARGEST consumer-driven country in the world:

"The largest consumer markets are the US, China, Japan, Germany and the UK making up about half of the global consumer economy. The US consumer market alone makes up almost 29 % of global consumer spending."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_consumer_markets

So again, continue to pat yourself on the back but until you stop buying random things daily/weekly from Amazon or fill-in the blank retailer, don't sit there and say how great the US is doing. China, by no means is the beacon of positive environmental policies but much of the manufacturing of said goods purchased by US consumers is made in China. Buy fewer good, need fewer factories. Completely simplified of course.

Add that to all of the fast food, Starbucks, quick eats, and single-use items US consumers are consuming and therefore throwing away every single day...this FAR outpaces literally anywhere else in the world. Partly because most places don't have large swaths of the population who can afford it but that's an entirely different story/soapbox.

I really hate it when people deflect and don’t own their contribution to a problem. Of course the US is a huge polluter and the upper middle classes of D.C. and the like bare a far heftier responsibility than the poorer folk. You can stick to your love of travel but at least be honest with yourself and don’t try to kid yourself and others.

I love travel. I own it.

But:

-I don’t order from Amazon.
-I still wear flip flops I bought in college 25 years ago and other clothes/coats/bags I bought years ago.
-I don’t go to Starbucks. I rarely do take out.
-I recycle.
-I’m a legit minimalist. My home is largely furnished by inherited pieces from older relatives.
-I’ve worn the same few pieces of jewelry for decades. Any additional pieces were hand me downs from older relatives.
-I prefer having my windows open. I like a cool house during the winter.
-I don’t set fires or burn anything.
-I recycle and free-cycle.
-Compost
-I don’t eat meat.
ETC

I’m not the problem…and neither are you.

Corporate polluters are the problem in America. In other countries, it’s more nuanced.

And carbon footprints are far less worrisome to me than human trafficking and human rights abuses rampant in other countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will give an F about climate change when whichever President and the likes of John Kerry/ any State department people/ any UN people start flying commercial, especially economy as they are using my tax dollars.

Their motto: do as I say, not as I do. Eliminate the Paris agreements until they all start setting examples themselves.

We are not sheep for these climate change hypocrites.

Eh, strange to fixate on high level politicians who have legit security reasons to travel differently from the rest of us.

The real issue is that America actually does a terrific job of taking steps to protect the earth while the vast majority of the world simply does not. We aren’t the problem, so we can’t really be the solution. Even if every American stopped traveling abroad, the environment wouldn’t really feel a positive impact. Plus, like it or not, our tourist dollars matter. Bigly. Just ask people impacted by the pandemic.

you are seriously kidding yourself if you think America is doing a "terrific job" at protecting the earth. Do you know how much recycling actually gets recycled? How much waste we produce? How much of a single-use culture we have to many others? Now, are we doing better than some, absolutely- in limited numbers of areas- namely cities such as DC, NY, LA, SF. Go to Northern Europe- they turn composting into energy, have alternative energy sources in abundance, electric or hybrid cars everywhere, recycling (that is actually recycled) for batteries, electronics, light bulbs, etc in every grocery store, recycling pick up to include compost. That's actually doing a terrific job.

Compare what America is doing versus China, India, Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, and even large parts of the EU.

The reality is we aren’t the big polluter despite our size and population. We just aren’t.

There are dozens of reports on this. Google it.

No, you show us the evidence to support this ridiculous claim.

The US is the world’s second biggest polluter, second only to China whose pollution outweighs ours by a very large factor BUT a very large portion of it is in producing goods to sell primarily to our markets, so we are deeply responsible for much of China’s pollution.

The US is far bigger and more densely populated than most countries. Hence: second biggest polluter.

There are studies that show where our pollution actually comes from. ICYMI: it’s corporations, not individuals.

Corporations developed the whole recycling environmental protections thing to shift focus from a legit criticism of corporations.

Actually, it isn't just pollution- which yes, is mostly tied to corporations- across the board. The US is by far the LARGEST consumer-driven country in the world:

"The largest consumer markets are the US, China, Japan, Germany and the UK making up about half of the global consumer economy. The US consumer market alone makes up almost 29 % of global consumer spending."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_consumer_markets

So again, continue to pat yourself on the back but until you stop buying random things daily/weekly from Amazon or fill-in the blank retailer, don't sit there and say how great the US is doing. China, by no means is the beacon of positive environmental policies but much of the manufacturing of said goods purchased by US consumers is made in China. Buy fewer good, need fewer factories. Completely simplified of course.

Add that to all of the fast food, Starbucks, quick eats, and single-use items US consumers are consuming and therefore throwing away every single day...this FAR outpaces literally anywhere else in the world. Partly because most places don't have large swaths of the population who can afford it but that's an entirely different story/soapbox.

I really hate it when people deflect and don’t own their contribution to a problem. Of course the US is a huge polluter and the upper middle classes of D.C. and the like bare a far heftier responsibility than the poorer folk. You can stick to your love of travel but at least be honest with yourself and don’t try to kid yourself and others.

I don't recall or even rereading anything written saying anything about also not being a part of the problem. Did I say anywhere, Americans except for me? That being said, I am probably the most minimalistic person I know and most conscientious about recycling and composting however; I am far from perfect and would never claim to be. I also said nothing about loving traveling and while I actually do, you are putting words that just aren't written. Comprehension and actually reading what's in front of you versus what you want to read are important skills. My elementary-aged child does a better job.

If you were the poster I responded to, I apologise if you thought my response was a criticism of you. It was in response to people who deny the US is one of the biggest polluters and assert that it is doing a lot to address this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Volunteer tourism is awful, I will give you that.

So what’s your solution? How else can the nonprofits caring for orphans, educating children, providing desperately needed healthcare, food, whatever survive without this funding stream?

Icymi: the government isn’t equipped to provide the funding or services…despite buckets of money from the US government. Locals aren’t equipped to step up.

I suppose your solution is simply that Americans should send money instead of volunteering AND giving money, right? That would be nice. But the reality is their business model relies on tugging on heartstrings to prompt volunteers to not only donate long term but also help with fundraising through their own networks.

All of this matters.

Unless you have a better solution, pp?

Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify volunteer tourism is ridiculous. It is gross, predatory, oppressive, manipulative and feeding into your savior complex. Want to help these nonprofits? Donate your money. You don't need a trip to pat orphans on the head and take their picture. Just donate. FFS it isn't complicated.

What about church groups doing mission trips to bring supplies, provide healthcare, build homes or hospitals AND donate $$$$$?

What about lawyers showing up in groups to provide pro bono asylum assistance?

Do you only take issue with orphanages? Even if the mission trip/tour group brings critically needed supplies (more easily transported by a group so as to avoid theft by the government or cartels) and large cash transfers?

What about schools?

No, I don't only take on orphanages. The entire volunteer tourism industry is BS. You don't need a trip to make yourself feel better. Mission trips are completely awful ways to try to convert people to their religion, disguised as help. Want to help? Leave the religion out of it. Completely.

Pro bono lawyers do asylum work here in the US. I do it. I don't need a volunteer tourism trip to do it. So enough with your BS. I actually volunteer, regularly, for decades, in my community. I get my hands dirty, I'm invested, I am bought in. I don't need to pay a company to take me to Haiti to bring school supplies, paint their school for a week, and take some photos of some very poor children, post on FB, and leave.

So, the mission trips I’m familiar with partner a church here with a church-based group abroad. There’s no active conversion because the locals are already bought into the religion OR there simply isn’t a religious aspect. All the money, supplies, services, etc. benefit people who otherwise would suffer. The support simply isn’t there otherwise.

I’m a lawyer whose entire career has been dedicated to human rights and anti-poverty work. My org works around the globe. We do immigration work through partnerships with other orgs and volunteers. It’s highly impactful at both the systemic and individual levels. I see both sides of this complex issue; the money matters, and volunteers bring the money.

I think the orphanages are the most problematic, but the issue isn’t the volunteers. If orphanages are the solution to meet the basic needs of thousands of children and the government can’t fund them and regulate them, then what’s the solution? “Just give” doesn’t meet the need, which is why they went this route in the first place. I’m sure there’s a better way to regulate and protect, and I hope there’s more systemic problem solving and infrastructure building developed to better equip families to stay intact.

You can pat yourself on the back to up your ego for all the work you do with that colonialism attitude that you know better and are their savior. We are talking about volunteer tourism. Good luck justifying. Volunteer tourism is wrong. 100% wrong.

I’m curious how you define volunteer tourism?

All mission trips are evil?

All pro bono trips are evil?

What about Doctors Without Borders? A relative did a stint with them in Africa. He had to fundraise and pay for the opportunity to live and volunteer there for a decent stint. Wrong? Or, okay for doctors but not lawyers?

Truly curious.

[Anonymous]

“Refuse housekeeping.”

Okay, Millennial.

Any idea what the housekeeper thinks about that? How will she feed her family?

It’s one thing to reuse your towels.

So interesting how the end segment features dozens of young white Americans sharing their tips on responsible tourism. This film smacks of American white privilege.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Refuse housekeeping.”

Okay, Millennial.

Any idea what the housekeeper thinks about that? How will she feed her family?

It’s one thing to reuse your towels.

So interesting how the end segment features dozens of young white Americans sharing their tips on responsible tourism. This film smacks of American white privilege.

You are a disgusting racist. Get off this board.

[Anonymous]

So how do we feel about the Peace Corps?