On 16 July 2024, Ocean Conservancy announced the removal of 34,080,191 pounds of trash from oceans, beaches, and rivers. This was done in cooperation with The Ocean Cleanup, tied to MrBeast and Mark Rober’s #TeamSeas campaign. In 2021, the YouTubers joint campaign raised $30 million in just 65 days. More than 400,000 individual donors gave money to finance three years of work, concluding this year.
It is a small drop in the ocean, literally. A 2023 study determined 170 trillion plastic particles are floating in the oceans. However, it shows that help may arrive from unusual places, and unconventional campaigns can make significant impacts.
However, it’s not just celebrities and their rabid fans doing their part.
Many unrecognized champions and anonymous protectors worldwide do vital work to save our planet and catalyze sustainable development. Unfortunately, some efforts are dismissed, labeling the work as trendy spin and greenwashing.
The Silent Flight of Eco-Lodges
Despite the fancy ring to the term “eco-lodges,” facilities that bear that moniker can be more than just a marketing ploy. Many eco-lodges, true to their name, are unsung heroes in the fight to protect nature and culturally sensitive areas. They advocate for sustainable travel and practice what they preach. Unfortunately, their fight against climate change is often unrecognized.
According to a recent Booking.com report, 75% of global travelers desire to travel more sustainably in the next 12 months. However, 33% of travelers already feel environmental damage is irreversible, and another 25% doubt the severity of climate change altogether.
In April 2022, Booking.com was one of the first platforms to launch a Travel Sustainable badge. However, the brand abandoned the label in March 2024. Reliance on third-party certifications creates a broader, more accessible sustainable space.
Will this better recognize the work of eco-lodges? Dominic Dubois, Director of Sustainability at the Six Senses Crans-Montana, Switzerland, says not necessarily. Even for industry professionals, it can be hard to stay up-to-date with certification applications as the market is saturated and decentralized.
One way educated travelers can see and recognize eco-lodge efforts is if they look beyond certifications and verify genuine sustainability efforts themselves.
A Community Behind a Costa Rican Eco-Lodge Fight to Save the Rainforest
Take Rios Lodge in Costa Rica, a shining example of a dedicated community where 15 stewards came together to preserve the legacy of their founder following his death in 2021.
They now protect 2,600 acres of rainforest within the Jaguar Pass, an important conservation area in Costa Rica. They also employ 40 people from nearby indigenous tribes who otherwise would face unemployment and turn to agriculture to survive, diminishing the natural habitat.
The stewards are now working on launching a biodiversity credit by establishing the Rivers and Forest Alliance (RAFA, which is also the name of the founder, Rafael “Rafa” Gallo) to protect this biological corridor together with other private owners along the Pacuare River.
Innovative Coral Restoration by a Maldivian Eco-Resort
For more than 25 years, Soneva Fushi, an eco-resort in the Maldives, has been synonymous with sustainable luxury. In 2021, they launched a groundbreaking initiative called Soneva Foundation’s Coral Restoration Programme.
Johanna Leonhardt, a lead scientist at the Soneva Foundation, explained that the foundation has water nurseries with approximately 430 tables, dry nurseries, and a spawning lab. Their spawning lab boasts an 85% success rate, compared to just 26% in natural conditions.
Leonhardt also highlighted the importance of developing advanced technologies. She explained that the fourth global coral bleaching event earlier this year bleached 90% of corals around Soneva-owned islands. While her team monitors recovery percentage, she emphasizes the significance of growing resilient corals.
In May 2023, Soneva opened the AquaTerra Center, a coral conservation hub featuring a state-of-the-art scientific research laboratory and an educational center for visitors. The research team focuses on its coral restoration program, using 3D printing technology to create heat-resilient “super corals.” Additionally, guests can engage in educational and inspirational experiences.
In 2024, Soneva received three World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards nominations: Energy Efficiency, Finance Initiative, and Conservation & Biodiversity Programme.
Michigan Landscaping Business Teams Up with Central American Eco-Resorts
Michigan-based landscaping company Glow Path Pavers partners with an eco-lodge in Belize to save 15 acres of old-growth rainforest.
Alex Ketty, founder of Glow Path Pavers, leveraged 30 years of landscaping expertise to develop a unique, eco-friendly concept for illuminating pavement at night without electricity. The product glows 8-10 hours after sunset and lasts 20 years.
However, he went a step further, collaborating with multiple eco-resorts in Mexico and Central America. In exchange for illumination, he asked to preserve a designated conservation area to make a lasting positive impact on the environment. Through partnerships like these, they were able to conserve more than 500 acres of vulnerable habitat.
In the face of immense environmental challenges, innovative solutions and seemingly unlikely partnerships are vital for sustainable development. Eco-lodges are prime examples of how commercial businesses can drive conservation efforts. Recognizing and supporting these unrecognized pioneers is essential.
