Tourism & Entertainment vs. The Environment
When does the environment get to be the top priority?
There’s been a lot going on that prompted this post. This topic has been having me percolating.
Recently in the news, there’s been several stories that caught my interest. All of them center around making money at the expense of the environment.
I’m not against communities making income. I live in a tourist town, which doesn’t thrive without people coming and spending money.
It’s reckless and indifferent behavior toward the community that has gotten under my skin.
The first story is about the horrific wildfire in Maui.
This story broke my heart. My deepest condolences to the people of Maui.
I’m not going to dwell on this sensitive subject. I just want to touch on something that came from it.
This headline in Reuters: Maui tourism, an economic mainstay, sparks anger amid fire ruin
and this quote:
"Our community needs time to heal, grieve, and restore," Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa said on Instagram, urging tourists to cancel their trips.
Authorities and businesses have welcomed the trickle of travelers, saying it will lessen the blow to the island's economy, which relies heavily on tourism. The industry is Maui's "economic engine," generating 80% of its wealth, according to the island's economic development board.
Enough said…
The next story hits home for me. This one comes from Atlantic City, New Jersey.
On August 16, 2023, Atlantic City had its 20th annual air show.
Atlantic City Airshow: What You Need To Know & Michigan Crash
NPR: Fighter Jet Crashes At Michigan Air Show (video) Please read the comments section.
For 20 years citizens of Atlantic City have inhaled toxic jet fuel from this air show. This isn’t just a quick flyover and then gone. This is 3 days of jets. The 2 days of practice prior to the show are full days. From 10 am until 4:30 pm. The day of the show is just as long.
These jets are weapons of war glorified as entertainment. They’re loud beyond description. Last year, our 3rd-floor apartment was strafed at a low altitude. The heaviness of the bass sound caused me to freeze in place, and not be able to breathe. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Our cat was trying to claw his way into the sofa to escape. That was just a practice day.
This is the last sound that people in foreign countries hear right before they die.
For 6 years our apartment had been under the direct path of these jets. Our cat and I have anxiety issues big time!
This year my husband was home during the practice and show. He got to experience this for the first time. By day 2 he was losing it.
Last year I asked on a local Facebook group what pet owners do during the air show. Most of them send their pets off the island until it’s over.
This air show disrupts wildlife as well as domestic animals.
All the birds disappear, along with the ground animals.
Many lives in the city suffer because of these 3 days.
Atlantic City is a 24/7 town. We have people working at all hours of the day. Third-shift workers can’t sleep because of the noise, and many call out from work and lose pay.
These air shows are dangerous in many ways.
Air pollution, noise pollution, environmental hazard to wildlife, and possible mental health hazards.
But it all comes down to tourism and entertainment.
Here’s a link to who benefits from this:
I realize that air shows are big business nationwide. It’s a money maker.
Here’s another air show making money with weapons of war as entertainment:
Kansas City Air Show 2023: What to know before Blue Angels take off
This isn’t an isolated pollution event. This is lots of pollution!
This year’s event in Atlantic City had low attendance. (official city video of the event)
A message from the 2023 Atlantic City Air Show Team:
Important Message for Fly Zone Ticket Holders:
Due to a lack of ticket sales and the inability to meet vendor deadlines, we will no longer be hosting The Fly Zone and are unable to accommodate ticketholders in this premier ticketed viewing area for the 2023 Visit Atlantic City Airshow.
We extend our sincere apologies for this unexpected cancellation and any inconvenience.
Being that we are now unable to accommodate you/your party in The Fly Zone for Practice Day (Tues., August 15) and/or Show Day (Wed., August 16), we do intend to offer you a full refund for your ticket(s) purchased.
But there will be a 2024 air show because beating a dead horse still makes money in the name of tourism and entertainment.
On a brighter note, I found this article encouraging:
Young environmental activists prevail in first-of-its-kind climate change trial in Montana
Behaviors of the wreckless and ruthless can be changed but it takes tons of effort, resources, and literally millions of people to bring sufficient pressure on those in charge. There is also "guerilla warfare" and well-crafted, creative strategies to expose the bad boys and their dark money to the light. It's the old story of "The Emperor's New Clothes."
When bottom line profit becomes the primary motivation, people and their concerns are of little value and take a back seat or no seat at all. Protesting does little good in the form of letters to officials so protest which has a good history in this country needs to be organized, active and in large numbers.