This article is being written by special request from a frustrated environmental student.
It's January. It's cold. It's snowing. As you stare out the window you wish it were summer. Or that you would be shipped off to some tropical island (have fun abroad Nicole).
The requester looks at my friend and I to say, "You guys write for the Odyssey, right?"
We nod in agreement.
She continues to ask us to write an article about why not to go to Bora Bora. She said the within the past day she saw about seven articles on why people want to go to Bora Bora. However, she said that most of the people talking about going were not considering the environmental effects.
Ten bucks says the only reason people want to go there is because the Kardashians went.
"Like OMG Bible, I really want to go to Bora Bora."
If you can tell me where Bora Bora is, then you have permission to go. If not, just go find a globe and make sure you know geography before any traveling. You cannot plan to go to Alaska and then say you'll paddle to Russia. No. You cannot paddle to Russia, not matter what Sarah Palin says.
So I have scoured the internet in a quest to deter people from Bora Bora, whether it be environmentally based or off of others experiences.
1. Getting weighed before the plane.
I mean it's not a huge deterrent but it can be awkward when they are shuffling passengers around the puddle jumper to make sure weight is distributed evenly. Personally, a plane that could be that disrupted by such a small amount of weight doesn't seem safe. However, I'm also a chicken.
2. Damage to Coral Reefs
This is kind of a given. Though reef damage is also a world wide issue due to UV radiation, invasive species, pollution and more, there are still things that tourism can do that impact the coral reefs. Dumping human waste, touching the reefs, oil, and boats are other specific things that impact reefs. I personally suggest wearing a rash guard so you can decrease your sunscreen impact.
3. No laptop access.
HOLY SHIT. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITHOUT FACEBOOK FOR A WEEK?! HOW ARE WE GOING TO PROVE WE ARE HAVING FUN IF WE CAN'T SNAPCHAT?! Catastrophic.
4. Feeding the Wild Animals
As fun as it may be to watch sharks and dolphins eat, it is not natural. If some of these animals are too accustomed to being fed, then they will stop hunting. If they stop hunting, it the natural ecosystem out of whack. The prey populations will increase and then crash due to lack of food/living space. And please don't get in the water with the sharks or dolphins. Even dolphins can be dangerous if approached the wrong way. And for goodness sake I keep reading about these people kissing stingrays. Do you remember Steve Irwin?! Just be respectful and observe them in their natural habitat.
5. DOGS
Not unlike many other places in the world, dogs run around free on Bora Bora. And apparently, some of them have a thing against tourists on bikes.
6. Geographic Isolation
Islands are usually very biologically diverse compared to others. The isolation allows different gene pools to form specific to those islands, creating different species that other parts of the world may not have (just like the Galapagos). So it is very easy to offset this balance with a lot of poor tourism choices on the tourist's part and those running the industry.
7. Water Crisis.
According to the governor, their water supply barely meets their requirements. It's difficult to host the tourists, treat waste water, provide for the people, and desalinize sea water (while all costing a pretty penny).
And if you want to go to Bora Bora, that's fine. It's really a beautiful place. Just be conscious during your stay and maybe consider some sustainable tourism options.
