Travel should not merely be about consuming places, collecting photographs, or displaying experiences. Instead, it should be an opportunity to engage with different cultures while remaining conscious of our impact on the environment.
During a trip to Osaka, I found myself reflecting on how modern tourism is increasingly shaped by consumption. While walking through the shopping district of Shinsaibashi, I noticed how easily travel can become centred on purchasing, photographing, and displaying experiences. Looking back, I realised that I had also been influenced by this culture. Before some trips, I found myself browsing for new outfits simply because I wanted my travel photos to look different, even when I already owned suitable alternatives.
This reflection became even stronger when I observed the growing popularity of tourism activities that place pressure on local ecosystems. For example, some mushroom-picking experiences in Yunnan have attracted large numbers of visitors seeking “authentic” encounters with nature. While such activities may appear harmless, they can contribute to ecological disruption when natural resources become objects of mass consumption. These experiences made me realise that the environmental impact of travel is often determined not only by where we go, but by how we choose to consume the places and resources we encounter.
As one of the world’s most visited cities, London faces many of the same sustainability challenges associated with tourism, consumption, and urban development. Therefore, I believe that being a responsible exchange student means actively reducing my own contribution to these pressures.
In recent years, I have become more conscious of unnecessary consumption, particularly the trend of purchasing clothes specifically for travel photographs and social media content. Instead of buying new outfits for every trip, I have made an effort to reuse clothing I already own and avoid purchases that serve only short-term purposes. These choices reflect SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by reducing waste and encouraging more thoughtful consumption.
I have also incorporated sustainable habits into my travels by relying on public transportation whenever possible rather than private vehicles. Using local buses, metro systems, and walking not only reduces environmental impact but also provides a more meaningful way to experience a destination. In addition, I regularly carry a reusable water bottle and shopping bag and make a conscious effort to minimise single-use plastics.
Building on these habits, I hope to further support sustainability during my placement in London. I plan to take advantage of London’s charity shop and second-hand culture, continue relying on its extensive public transportation network, and remain mindful of my energy consumption in student accommodation. Through these actions, I hope to contribute to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12, and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
To me, sustainable travel is not about achieving perfection, but about making conscious choices and recognising our responsibility as visitors. Through my exchange in London, I hope not only to learn from a different culture, but also to contribute positively to the communities and environment around me.
References
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals：https://sdgs.un.org/goals
