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The Blue Economy: Challenges and Solutions in Sustainable Coastal Tourism Development

In terms of magnitude, tourism is one of the largest sectors in the world. Overall, tourism and travel account for nearly 10 percent of global GDP. Likewise, annual revenues have been estimated at $7.6 trillion. While these figures are astounding, it is also noteworthy that 80 percent of tourism occurs along coastal towns and areas. Beaches, coral reefs and an array of aquatic activities attract millions each year. Thus, the bottom line is that coastal tourism plays a significant role in the future of the Blue Economy.

Nearly 300 million jobs rely on coastal tourism. In addition, coastal tourism is vital to the survival of small developing island nations around the globe.

But as tourism advances, the risks that coastal tourism impose are sizable. With these concerns increasing, many are strongly advocating for more sustainable tourism development.

Coastal Tourism and the Challenges Ahead in the Blue Economy

With such volumes of travel and coastal tourism, a number of problems face island communities. Some of these problems have been self-inflicted while others have been spin-offs. But either way, all point to the need for sustainable tourism development in these regions. Shoreline developments to date have already cleared precious coral reefs and mangroves to expand sandy beach areas. Likewise, piers and other coastal tourism structures have also negatively impacted these environments. And on-shore developments involving other structures have affected native habitats. Those involving the current dismal state of sea turtles are a notable example of poor sustainable tourism development.

Others are not as apparent when it comes to the negative impacts of coastal tourism. For example, wastewater produced by hotels and resorts poses additional challenges. Plastic bottles and other trash are also concerns resulting from increasing coastal tourism numbers. Other issues in coastal tourism also threaten to worsen climate change. Cruise ship pollution, as well as emissions from recreational water activities, are examples of these problems. Unless these issues are addressed through sustainable tourism development, a variety of negative impacts will sporadically emerge. These will likely include repercussions to the environment, marine life, as well as the economic well-being of many coastal areas.

Proactive “Blue” Approaches to Sustainable Tourism Development

While a number of blue initiatives and forums are proposing action, some island nations are being proactive. Because of their economic reliance on coastal tourism, it only makes sense to promote sustainable tourism development. For example, the Republic of Palau require all tourists to sign the Palau Pledge before arriving in the islands. This move raises awareness of the potential harms coastal tourism brings, as well as the best practices that can be observed by tourist during their visit to islands.

While Palau has taken this approach, the islands of Seychelles have embraced a more comprehensive plan for sustainable tourism development. The objective is to balance economic development with both cultural and environmental conservation and protection. In essence, Seychelles’ plan for sustainable tourism development involves five major areas.

  • Sustainable Marine Spatial Planning – This area addresses new developments involving coastal tourism structures through formal sustainable tourism development planning.
  • Innovative “Blue” Bonds – This part is offered as a means to finance management, rehabilitation and restoration efforts of marine and coastal areas.
  • Scheduled Periodic Audits – This area is set up to establish monitoring activities and evaluation reports on a consistent and regular basis to guide sustainability efforts.
  • Sustainable Tourism Development Certifications – With this area, resorts and other coastal tourism businesses would be listed as compliant with sustainability requirements.
  • Debt-For-Nature Conservation – This part covers large loans acquired currently to invest in sustainable tourism development and other sustainability activities.
a photo of a coastal community in an island by the sea depicting the reality of coastal tourism and the need for sustainable tourism development
Coastal tourism represents a significant economic area for many nations.

A Good Start with Much More Required

The efforts made by Seychelles and Palau are important steps in the right direction for sustainable tourism development. At a global scale, one out of every 11 jobs is in the tourism industry.

Therefore, coastal tourism represents a significant economic area for many nations. However, undermining the climate, the environment and marine life in the process will quickly deplete these resources. Similarly, it will place many developing countries in economic distress as coastal tourism quality fades. For these reasons, a global effort is needed to promote genuinely sustainable tourism development.

For more on Bold Business’ series on the Blue Economy, check out these stories on Deep Seabed MiningWater Desalination and Aquaculture Systems, and Aquaculture Sustainability in Meeting Global Demand for Food.

 

Gut Health: Artificial Meat, Lab-Grown Meat and the Future of Food

Any discussion on gut health would be incomplete without talk of the food Americans seem to love the most: meat. Americans love meat. Despite rising concerns about the environmental impact of the meat industry, roughly a third of our calories come from meat. And though vegetarianism and veganism are becoming more and more “hip”, less than 5 percent of the population ascribes to these diets. But one thing might be changing that. Artificial meat options and lab-grown meat are innovations that could potentially disrupt the meat industry. Based on the number of startups in this field, a booming meatless meat industry might well be on the horizon.

Can the Artificial Meat Industry Bring Down a Giant?

Before talking about artificial meat options, it’s worth looking at the current meat industry itself. In the U.S., the average per capita meat intake is nearly 200 pounds per year. Globally, over 300 million metric tons are produced, with this figure expected to rise to 450 million by 2050. This accounts for nearly $200 billion in annual sales.

Meanwhile, lab-grown meats and other meatless meat industries are expected to reach $6 billion in revenue in the coming years. 

Indeed, competing with the meat industry appears to be a formidable challenge.

However, the meat industry is not without its own concerns. In total, the meat industry accounts for about 14 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, compared to artificial meat production, the meat industry uses five times as much water and ten times as much land. As the global population expands and as environmental resources are constrained, these numbers reflect major issues—not counting the potential risk for pathogens and contaminants that many meat products have.

Artificial meat has a lot of catching up to do, taste-wise
Artificial meat and lab-grown meat could be the future.

The Evolving Sector of Lab-Grown Meats and Artificial Meat Alternatives

While overall meat consumption is expected to increase in coming years, that doesn’t mean that alternatives are not available. In fact, dozens of new startups are actively bringing lab-grown meats and other artificial meat options to market. From insect protein to plant-based offerings, artificial meat products are ever-increasing on store shelves. Plus, innovative technologies are allowing lab-grown meats, or “clean meats,” to be developed. With this in mind, we present a list of some of these bold businesses exploring this new market sector.

  • Exo – Based in Brooklyn, New York, this company is a producer of insect-based protein products. These products include cricket flour, which is used to make protein bars and other protein-rich foods. Overall, Exo has received over $5.2 million in funding to date.
  • All Things Bugs – This Oklahoma-based startup focuses on using insect protein to address global nutrition needs of the future. Insect powder is being used as a base for many recipes in this pursuit. Having received over $4.1 million in funding, this startup is well on its way to providing a solution to the global food sourcing problem.
  • Memphis Meats – Established in 2015, this artificial meat company produces clean meats without antibiotics, hormones or waste products. Through lab-grown meat production methods, animal cells are grown in cultures without the risk for bacterial infection. Memphis Meats expects to offer their products to consumers in 2019.
Artificial meat is the future
A growing number of bold businesses are exploring the new market sector of artificial meat or lab-grown meat and offering innovative products.

Other Companies Offering Lab-Grown Meats and Artificial Meat Alternatives

  • Just – Formerly known as Hampton Creek, this startup also produces clean artificial meat alternatives. In addition, the company has over 40 plant-based products as well as an open-source plant protein database. Among the thousands of plant proteins present, more than 90 percent have yet to be explored for use in foods.
  • Perfect Day Foods – Through biotechnology, this company uses programmed microflora to produce milk proteins. However, these milk proteins do not require pasteurization or refrigeration, and they have no bacterial growth risk. This animal-free milk can then be used to make cream, cheeses and yogurts as ideal sources of protein.
  • Impossible Foods – This company is known for its artificial meat hamburger, the Impossible Burger, which has a patty that has 25 percent more protein than regular meat. In addition to using wheat and potato proteins to create a charred coating, the company uses coconut oil to mimic real beef fat. And heme is added to provide it a red color and a meat-like flavor.

Lab-Grown Meat — Coming Soon to a Store Near You

To say artificial meats will replace animal meat products is certainly a stretch. But the potential for these products to gain market share among protein food options is real.

While western societies seem to have a problem with insect protein, most of the world does not. As a matter of fact, 80 percent of all nations worldwide regularly eat insects for protein. And technological advances in developing lab-grown meats that are “clean” offer many advantages as well. As demand grows and resources become increasingly constrained, these artificial meat options will become more attractive. And various bold startups are well-positioned to take advantage of these trends.

For more on Bold Business’ gut health series, check out these stories on probiotics vs. cholesterol and indigestion. For more on lab-grown meat and meatless options, check out these stories the growing artificial meat industry and entomophagy.

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