Luminous, the moon in the form of a crescent luminates an ethereal glow on the shore, and tiny baby turtle crawls through the cold, grainy sand; misy flippers quiver with effort and expectation. Complemented by instincts and the shining trace of the moonlight playfully dancing on the far off waves. She boldly starts facing the risky endeavor to the sea.The soft lapping of the waves against the shore, vulnerability, and determination deeply inspired me to implement eco-friendly practices.
Being aware of the impact tourism has on the environment, specifically my destination nation (Hong Kong) with its pristine beaches and booming marine biodiversity, I’m dedicated to reducing my ecological footprint. Being aware of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 13 (Climate Action), I cut my carbon footprint actively by taking mostly public transport, cycling, and walking wherever possible. Where I do take the plane or train for long journeys, I actively invest in guaranteed carbon offset schemes on reputable providers like Ecosia and Atmosfair, which contribute towards global green energy and reforesting causes.
Having recognised the importance of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), I’ve embraced green consumption habits to reduce waste significantly. This included actively avoiding one-off use plastics by using reusable bottles, cloth bags and cutlery regularly and using apps like ‘My Little Plastic Footprint’ to track and optimise my sustainability; I’ve also carefully selected accommodations fulfilling high sustainability criteria on my holidays, i.e. the Green Key or Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Programme-labelled ones, which utilise renewable energy, implement water-saving practices, and adhere to strong local sustainability practices.
My commitment extends to the level of active participation in local conservation activities that are specifically relevant to SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Direct engagement in organized beach cleaning exercises, marine habitat education, and sensitization campaigns allows me to contribute in tangible ways to the protection of marine habitats essential to the survival of species like the turtles. Besides that, I am also deeply committed to picking litter in my locality to contribute to the protection of the local ecosystem. To complement collaborative action and promote an environmental stewardship culture beyond my tenure, I also mobilize the local population to participate in these sustainability activities.
Ultimately, my being in Hong Kong is to act as an avenue to advocate for green practices, to influence my peers and inspire them, and to underscore the vital linkage between environmental stewardship and environmental conservation. Drawing lessons from the persevering quest of the baby turtle, my desire is to leave my travels in not footprints of destruction, but lasting beneficial effects on the environment and the people, in effect preserving the beauty and biodiversity of the earth for future generations.
