Georgina is an American writer based in London, mainly writing about tech, the internet and culture. She's also lived in the Netherlands and China, and spends her free time travelling, reading and at the pub with her friends.


Georgina Ustik

' series 'Climate Change in Senegal' and 'Climate Change in Panama'

While awareness of the climate refugee crisis is growing, the effects of climate change are quickly becoming more severe, and many criticise the international community and governments for not doing enough.

A less talked about aspect of climate change is the effect rising temperatures and sea levels will have on the global refugee crisis. Since 2010, 

have been displaced by climate change, and more than 

 could live in unlivable heat conditions by 2070, and some sources put these estimates at much higher numbers.

So how exactly does climate change make the refugee crisis worse? Who is most affected, and what can we do to address it?

What’s the connection between the climate and refugees?

A climate refugee, or environmental migrant, is someone forced to flee over weather events, such as natural disasters, rising sea levels, desertification, land degradation or droughts.

But there are international protections for refugees, right? Climate refugees are often referred to as “forgotten victims of climate change”, because official data is virtually nonexistent, and there isn’t a clear definition or institution dedicated to address the problem. Climate change refugees are also not protected by the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which protects refugees with fear of persecution on racial, religious or other grounds.

There are some protections — in 2018, the UN adopted the 

global compact on safe, orderly and regular migration

, which says migrants forced to leave their countries due to environmental degradation must be given protection by governments in the countries of their arrival. This means they should help with planned relocation and visa options if it’s not possible people can return to their home countries.

who do not fit the definition of 'refugee'

, the human rights legal system is inadequate and many climate refugees are still deported or repatriated illegally.

While awareness of the climate refugee crisis is growing, the effects of climate change are growing more severe quicker, and many criticise the international community and governments for not doing enough.

To put it bluntly, the people most at risk for becoming a climate refugee are the world’s poorest populations, those who face oppression, including women, and those in conflict-affected regions. Because of racial wealth gaps and colonialism, this means people of colour are by far the most affected globally.

in poverty globally rely on agriculture to survive, something which is becoming increasingly hard to maintain due to rising temperatures and natural disasters. Increasingly occurring hurricanes, wildfires and droughts drive people from their homes, and jeopardise crops, livestock and water sources with drought.

Countries like Haiti and Timor-Leste, which are considered amongst the world’s poorest, are geographically placed alongside earthquake fault lines and surrounded by water, making them not only vulnerable, but also without the financial resources to cope.

In Niger, the ‘hunger gap’ is the dry season in between when food stores have been consumed and the next harvest is ready; climate change has increased this period, meaning families must go without food for longer.

And this trickles down to create further inequalities within communities; Angela Baschieri, population dynamics policy adviser for UNFPA, says global warming 

“The reality is that when intense rains fall more frequently causing floods, or spells of drought last several years causing food insecurity, or landslides, hurricanes or cyclones hit threatening lives, livelihoods and natural resources, those with the fewest resources are most susceptible to the negative effects – particularly women, the majority of the world’s poor.”

Women still have unequal access to finances, land ownership education and reproductive healthcare globally. This means they’re more susceptible to gender-based violence; as climate change limits access to food and access, women have to walk farther distances, making them more vulnerable.

Suffering begets suffering, and it’s a global pattern; the 

(UNFPA) also found that sex trafficking spiked in Asia-Pacific after cyclones and typhoons, and domestic violence rose during droughts in East Africa and tropical storms in Latin America. Domestic violence, sexual abuse and FGM also grew during long droughts in Uganda.

Climate change is putting natural environments, wildlife and people’s lives all at risk — and it also poses a huge threat to cultural heritage.

While culture is formed between people and communities, it has an important tie to physical spaces — whether that be sacred landmarks or culturally important landscapes.

“Damage to cultural heritage that comes from severing a community’s attachment to a place is demoralizing in the short-term and hinders long-term recovery and resilience,” Victoria Herrmann, managing director of the Arctic Institute, 

 “Severing social ties, dislocating local knowledge on how to absorb shocks and weakening cultural practices like food, faith and music — practices that could be vital in building friendships in new hometowns if they were preserved — all erode the adaptability of individuals and social safety net of communities.”

We can already see this happening in the U.S., where the country’s first official climate refugees — the IDJC Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw tribe — were forced to leave Isle de Jean Charles in Louisiana due to rising sea levels. They were forced to move there in the first place due to the 

 of the 1830s, but a mix of climate change and 

land subsidence accelerated by the fossil fuel industry 

has eroded the island by 98% since 1955. “Our families are moving off,” IDJC chief Albert Naquin told 

. “One family moves here, and another family moves there. And you start not knowing people. It’s very sad, I can tell you that.” While several families insist on staying despite the land being almost completely eroded, the tribe's identity, food, and culture are eroding with it. It’s also the tribe’s historical burial ground for almost 200 years.

You can also donate to institutions like 

, which aids refugee-led organizations in 40 countries by working directly with local refugee leaders to help them better serve, and sustain, their communities and achieve long-term sustainability.

Climate refugees need a home and work like any other; donate your time to volunteer at local refugee centers and shelters, or build your own campaign or fundraiser.

Climate Change Will Create 200 Million Migrants By 2050

Often, we assume that travel is only sustainable when it isn’t environmentally harmful and we end up ignoring the economic and social impacts of misguided travel. Since the economic damage caused by the pandemic, sustainable spending has only become more important. This is especially the case for small businesses and tourism-dependent economies.

Ethical travel has increasingly become a hot topic of debate, and travellers are moving away from spending money in ways that both damage the environment and handicap the local economy. As we continue to travel to locations where our currencies have considerable spending power, it is essential to ensure that this economic imbalance is used to empower local communities. To do so, our travelling must be intentional and considered.


Below, we’ve created a travel tool that covers all the need-to-know tips for the conscious traveller when it comes to spending their money in a purposeful way. Ethical travel has a reputation for being daunting and expensive, but, as our tips show, conscientious travel doesn’t have to break the bank.

It’s easy to assume that because you’re spending your money locally, that it’s going to the local community.  Unfortunately, simply visiting a country and spending money there isn’t enough. As a result of globalisation and international investment, economic leakage remains a massive issue for many tourism destinations. Economic leakage is the process where revenue generated by the tourism industry in the destination country does not remain in the country but rather is lost to other countries. For example, 70% of profits from tourism in Thailand leave the country, enriching foreign investors and business owners.

Even when spending at local businesses we can accidentally contribute to this economic leakage, which is why doing your research is so important. Make sure you prioritise spending within local supply chains rather than just focusing on small businesses as this reduces the intermediaries between producer and consumer, which in turn reduces economic leakage.

Small companies aren’t inherently good because of their size as some can be exploitative of workers, use child labour or even contribute to economic leakage as they funnel back into bigger corporations via their supply chains. Also, we really encourage you to support businesses that have a circular economy approach; they’re doing the right thing, both economically and environmentally.

As we recommended in our article on environmentally sustainable travel, staying locally is the best thing to do. Sadly, online rental companies, like Airbnb, are often pushed as the best way to ensure organic experiences. However, in cities across the world, AirBnb has been blamed for hiking up property prices for locals, locking them out of their own housing market and pushing them out of locations that have been their homes for decades. This tourism-related gentrification is a massive reminder that your spending has an impact on the community.

As a solution to this, we suggest that you avoid hotels that aren’t locally owned. Look for small family-run hostels and homestays, and couch-surfing opportunities; these keep profits within the local community and tend to be more affordable, culturally immersive experiences. Occasionally, families will involve their guests in their meals and give them great insider tips on navigating their hometown.

Super sustainable accommodation options are increasingly available. They’re conscientious of their impact on the local ecosystem and attempt to cap the negative effects of tourism. It’s important to conduct your due diligence and ensure these locations aren’t 

 – pretending to be more sustainable than they actually are.

Finally, perhaps the most cost-effective accommodation is a workaway experience. Exchanging labour for lodging and meals is one of the oldest forms of payment in the world, and also gives you the opportunity to work within the local community.

Spend with small businesses run by locals

In essence, this means buying local and not imported goods, which includes everything from fruit and vegetables to cheaply-made imported souvenirs. We’re not suggesting that you should forget about souvenir-shopping entirely, but where possible, buy locally-made goods from a co-operative of local artisans or an independent stall to minimise economic leakage and be sure that your money makes its way to the individual who 

 made the product. Oh, and say no to cheaply-made imported fridge magnets!

Keeping the money local also means eating locally. If you’re planning to cook, look for seasonal fruits and vegetables; pick them up at local farmers markets rather than supermarket chains. For those who generally try to avoid cooking when abroad, visit street food stalls and local restaurants instead of big chains. Not only will the food – more often than not – be tastier, you’ll also be supporting small businesses.

As a quick addition to this section, we recommend that you tip fairly. Some employees rely heavily on tipping to top up their wages. Understandably food and service may be outrageously cheap, so we suggest you use the difference to make sure that the individual is compensated for their work

In many countries, haggling is part of the process of buying and selling, and we certainly wouldn’t advise always accepting the first price you’re told. For many, haggling is a new experience that can seem fun, but as tourists, we must learn to haggle with respect. Haggling to get the local price, for instance, isn’t acceptable. As a tourist we should expect to pay more especially in countries where our currencies have more purchasing power.

For a lot of countries, the flora and fauna is the central attraction of their tourism industry. As a general rule, attractions that involve heavy interactions with animals tend to represent an animal cruelty risk. Needless to say, opportunities to take pictures with wild animals in poorly-maintained zoos are not examples of animals overcoming their wild instincts but rather they are cases of heavily drugged and beaten creatures, forced into submission.

The best way to counteract these exploitative institutions is to ensure that your money is channelled into (authentic) conservation efforts. There exists a plethora of wildlife trusts and conservation organisations that prioritise the wellbeing of the local ecosystem, however, sometimes these very institutions that dedicate their time to animal conservation are renowned for their exploitative treatment of local indigenous communities. Always make sure that the organisation you’re thinking about support doesn’t contribute to the marginalisation and displacement of these people.

To the creative traveller, the “tour” can be a dirty word. A preference for organic and serendipitous travel often means travellers shun these organised events, however, they can often be educational, economically sustainable, and fun – especially when travelling solo.

Whereas many commercial tours play up to the problematic, voyeuristic aspect of tourism, tours that are run by local organisations can offer a more immersive and respectful experience. Small, community-based tours and activities can have a long-lasting impact on both travellers and guides.

In the case of nature-focused or other activity-focused holidays, ensure that you hire local guides. In some cases in the Himalayas, Nepalese sherpas make only 4,000 dollars whereas Western guides can make over 50,000.

How to Spend Consciously When You Travel

Photography by Andy Watkins, Marcin Simonide, Alvaro Palacios, and Jeremy Bishop

“The vast and ever-expanding industry of tourism threatens to turn the whole world into a series of theaters whose companies perform palatable versions of their culture and history

Tourists thus possess a perverse version of Midas’s touch: the authenticity and exoticism they seek is unauthenticated and homogenized by their presence.”

As a traveller, you leave a mark wherever you go. When destinations are visited by travellers, there are social and cultural impacts that impress upon the host community. And there’s a lot at stake: in many places — especially those that rely on it as a major industry — tourism may become more of a priority than cultural or historical preservation. Communities may also become more globalised, posing a threat to local traditions.

Sustainable social travel offers a new way of thinking — it’s all about protecting locals while encouraging a positive cultural exchange between them and the traveller. So how can the conscious creative travel mindfully, and in a way that leaves no harm in their wake? We’ve created a travel tool that covers the need-to-know tips for respecting local communities, culture and cultural exchange.

Mass tourism, or over-tourism, is defined by a huge amount of people visiting a place in a short amount of time, usually peak season. Today, it looks a lot like budget-friendly package tours, cheap flights, all-inclusive resorts and cruises, which facilitate this high number of visitors.

The good thing about it is that it brings in a lot of money and local jobs, and it can be a vital lifeline to countries with underdeveloped economies due to historic political unrest, colonialism and natural disaster. But it’s also an unsustainable source of income and relies on the attention span of far wealthier countries. Examples of it are everywhere — from Venice, which gets flooded by 20 million visitors a year that quickly overwhelm its 55 thousand permanent residents, to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain, which is being damaged by around 

Mass tourism is also based on the idea of a country or culture as packaged product; it’s 

“the commodification of what should be revered as unique,”

 writes Anna Pollock for The Guardian. “Tourists ‘do’ places and rarely get the chance to stand in awe and wonder.”

This leads to a negative cultural exchange, as money-making via tourism takes precedence over community welfare. The social pillar of sustainable tourism looks at this relationship between travellers, local people and their communities and strives to make it a positive and reciprocal exchange.


Developments in an area’s tourism create economic opportunities, but this must also be carefully weighed against the intangible implications that affect the local community and culture of that destination. Over-tourism is often the double-edged sword that comes with an area becoming “the next big thing.” Risks include the dilution of local culture and may even result in communities becoming under-represented or neglected as a whole.

Tourist influxes are also often detrimental to the livelihood of locals. Amsterdam is one example; the city draws almost 20m visitors a year, and locals complain that an influx of Airbnbs catering to visitors doesn’t allow for local culture to develop and is alienating those who have made the city their home for decades. This leads to tensions between locals and tourists, compromising the very cultural exchange we should all travel for.


Short term rental platforms have also contributed to this problem; driving an increase in rent prices so now, locals can no longer afford to live in their own neighbourhoods resulting in dispersed communities.

There’s no doubt that social media has made travel more accessible — and it’s an affordable and fun way to connect with other communities, learn about your destination from people who actually live there and share your experiences.“Tourism is changing, and Instagram is in the center of this shift…people are searching and discovering new places through Instagram,” 

Putri Silalahi, communications officer for Instagram’s Asia-Pacific region, told Atmos

. “It has become the guidebook for travelers.”

But it also has its drawbacks. Instagram’s geotagging feature has led to a massive increase in visitors; in 2016, 

 invited dozens of social media influencers on a “Trip of Wonders” promoting areas around Indonesia. Visitors hit 15.8 million in 2018, far more than the 6.2 million in 2008.

But locals argue tourists flooding to #nofilterneeded natural wonders has led to more litter, trail erosion and wildfires, to the point that some parks in the US have asked visitors not to use the geotagging feature.


The issue of mass tourism is also incredibly racialised, something that travel media exacerbates — the majority of the travel media space caters specifically to a white audience (as of 2018 the PR industry in the US is 87.9% white), and often leans into the idea of culture as a packaged product.

Without partnering with local creators, traditional travel media dangerously distorts authentic narratives. This tends to portray local cultures, communities and identities with western-washed expectations and creates an unmanageable demand of a specific “culture” and how to interact with it. In order to keep up with these expectations, locals compromise their cultural integrity into something palpable for the tourists (namely westerners) to experience.


Conscious travellers should consider all the above when researching for their trip. Make sure to read local sources, try to skip “package deals” and be conscious of the footprint you’re leaving as you venture into a new space.

Airbnbs can be great, but just because it feels like home doesn’t mean it is your home. Be careful about any noise or possible pollution you’re bringing into a local neighbourhood. And if you read into local tension between residents over Airbnb, maybe consider a hotel instead.

Avoid the chains — do your research into businesses, restaurants and other hospitality that are locally owned. Skip the chains or anything that you suspect could be supporting an international conglomerate.

Do your research beyond “best bars in the area.” How do people interact with one another? What kind of clothing is seen as respectful? What’s the local tipping culture? All this should help you interact with a space without leaving too much of a trace.

Sustainable Travel Is More Than Just the Environment

What exactly is overtourism? Also known as mass tourism; it’s defined by huge crowds of people visiting a destination — in Amsterdam, that huge crowd numbers at almost 20 million a year.

A few weeks ago, I went on a jog through Dam Square. Prior to coronavirus, this would have been physically impossible. The famous square sits in the heart of central Amsterdam. Walking through, you’ll typically hear suitcase wheels squeaking over cobblestone, pigeons shitting, and drunk lads tumbling out of red-lit windows.

Dam Square is kind of like Times Square, minus the hot dogs and 

 lights installation. If you live in Amsterdam, you don’t 

 go there if you can avoid it, and trying to bike through the crowds of tourists is as pointless and infuriating as a Trump COVID-19 briefing.

The pandemic has seen a worldwide decrease in tourism: countries closed their borders, flights were grounded, and the world stayed home. The streets of Amsterdam, like many places, went pretty quiet, as our loudest inhabitants — the tourists — went missing.

Many cities around the world that similarly see overtourism all year round are, for the first time in decades, faced with a summer of having their city to themselves. While this is undeniably a refreshing change, for cities like Amsterdam whose global identity is intricately tied with bleary-eyed kids sitting in coffee shops and rowdy Brits puking in the canals, this could mean a complete cultural reinvention.

According to Walter Christaller, a 20th century German economic geographer, we are currently in the 

. This period, a turning point for modern tourism, is defined by relative ease of travel afforded to developed countries regardless of socio-economic status (worth mentioning this is a very 

 very well), advanced transportation, and the invention of overtourism.

Simply put, the Fifth Tourism Period is why I find soiled stag-do victims on my front step every Sunday morning.

What exactly is overtourism? Also known as mass tourism; it’s defined by huge crowds of people visiting a destination — in Amsterdam, that huge crowd numbers at 

The good thing about over tourism is that it brings in a lot of money — 

 by Statistics Netherlands (or CBS), foreign tourism was worth around €32.5 billion that year. As far as over tourism positives go, that’s about it. The negatives are plenty.

Environmental pollution and habitat disruption, overcrowded cities, and a weirdly commercialized faux culture (two words: 

 are just a few). These problems are exacerbated even further in developing countries who build up economies entirely dependent on foreign tourist dollars. While certainly

 facing overtourism, Amsterdam’s unique mix of liberal open-mindedness towards drugs, rational approach to sex work, and love of capital have created somewhat of a monster in tourism, and a resentment amongst its residents. A friend recently sent me 

to stop overtourism. It reached more than 30,000 signatures, which is enough to start a referendum if the municipality doesn't take action.

This isn’t the first of its kind. Last year, the "

" program went into effect, which halted building new hotels and souvenir shops, ticket sales outlets, and those sketchy cheese shops where you can dress up like a Dutch milk maid. It also put a cap on the number of people allowed in Schiphol Airport at any given time.

, like drinking alcohol and peeing in public. The government has also been cracking down on Airbnb, a platform that has allowed visitors to bypass the city’s expensive hotels.

Cheap accommodation is a good thing right? Sure, except when you’re an Amsterdam native whose 

neighbourhood has been overrun by visitors

. This kind of mass transience doesn’t allow for a local culture to develop and is alienating to those who have made the city their home for decades. These residents are far more likely to take care of their neighbourhood than a group on a weekend bender. This has led the local government to put restrictions on Airbnb — homeowners can only sublet their place for 

. New measures might ban Airbnb rentals in certain streets completely.

I’ve been making jogs through Dam Square an almost daily ritual. I’ve got to enjoy it while it lasts — the tourists are already returning, I can hear their suitcases banging on the cobblestones as I type this.

On one visit, I saw a lone figure on the square: it was a guy dressed as the Grim Reaper, wearing an “I <3 Amsterdam” t-shirt and a fat blunt hanging out his mouth. As far as symbols go, this one’s not so subtle.

The thing about tourists is that you hate them when you’re not one. Having adopted Amsterdam as my home for 4 years — which basically makes me a less-enthusiastic tourist — I’ve always liked that Amsterdam has a gaudy side.

While I completely understand that the Dutch want their city back, the pushback on tourism isn’t so cut and dry. This is especially true when you take into consideration revenue loss, and the more complicated human effects, such as the sex workers who rely on tourists to make a living.

These sex workers, who had already lost 100% of their income thanks to COVID-19, rely on Amsterdam’s Red Light district as a safe space to work, and count tourists as their biggest stream of income. While sex workers were allowed back to work in early July — with 

hygiene, checking customers for symptoms, and “no kissing” — it’s predicted they’ll only expect to 

. If Amsterdam’s “clean up” goes as planned, this will be even lower.

It’s a similar story with the city’s coffee shops, which are also a target of local residents’ ire, and may fall victim to post-virus clean up programs. Back in February, 

 the Amsterdam local government was considering banning tourists from cannabis cafes, which would cut off a huge stream of revenue.

As Paul Wilhelm, the co-owner of one of the city’s oldest coffee shops, 

“A tourist might be initially attracted by the coffee shops, but these people also book a hotel, visit a restaurant, and will go on a round-trip boat ride in the canals. They spend money. Economic times are going to be very tough in the years ahead, we also need jobs. You can’t have the idyll of a small village and be an economic metropolis at the same time.”

How do we keep the good, while using this unprecedented time to get rid of the bad?

Post COVID-19 travel must change and if we want to inhabit the Earth without irreversibly damaging it in the next century, we better make sure these changes are intentional and sustainable.

But what are we — the city goers who want to keep exploring the world in an ethical way — willing to give up to make sure this happens?

I’ll give this a good think this summer while I’m boating around the empty canals, traipsing around the museums, and breathing in vomit-free air for once.

Netherlands

Amsterdam

A Naked Amsterdam: A Summer Without Tourists

No corner of the earth is safe from the climate crisis. Our travel behaviour impacts all life on this planet; our home, communities worldwide and the very destinations that we rely on for tourism are affected. Mounting geographic disasters like the apocalyptic fires across America’s West Coast and Australia and flooding across the world are examples of how close to home and disastrous this can be.

Creative travellers are hyper-aware of the climate crisis and keen on changing their behaviour. But they find navigating the travel landscape a difficult experience. They want transparency and question anything which has the slightest suggestion of greenwashing or foul-play. According to our Future of Travel report, 75.7% of young creatives care most about the environmental impact of their travel behaviour


Below, we’ve created a travel tool that covers all the need-to-know tips for the conscious traveller who wants to keep their footprint as small as possible.

Travel is good for us, but not the planet

It is industrial systemic change that needs to happen to ensure travel has less of an impact on the climate crisis — but individual efforts and actions are important and contribute to a wider sense of urgency and awareness. Tourism alone is responsible for 8% of the world’s carbon emissions, primarily through aviation. Increased economic development and affordability have made travel even more accessible, and this percentage is only set to rise.

In an extreme era of smartphone use and influencer culture, social media platforms have become one of the main destinations for travel inspiration. Geo-tagging has driven a rapid increase to destinations across the globe, damaging fragile ecosystems and in some cases destroying them. During the pandemic, destinations had a moment to breathe with fewer planes in the sky and less footfall on the ground. The waters of Venice became clear, locals could see the Himalayas for the first time in years and in national parks across the world, natural wildlife returned home to normally crowded roads and routes.


And while international travel isn’t up to where it was pre-Covid — 72% below 2019 levels, according to the 

 — the aviation industry, hospitality and tourist boards are in full swing pushing for its revival.


There are many ways to make your trip greener before you’ve stepped foot out the door. If you’re able to, choose eco-friendly travel options (like trains or boats), pack lightly (every kilo counts — more weight means more carbon emissions to power a plane) and stay at eco-lodges, green hotels, and restaurants.

Keep this in mind at every point of planning, and you’ll be amazed at how many greener options are available. Of course, socioeconomic status can impact how ‘green’ you can travel — such as how long you can travel for, whether you can afford sustainable accommodation and choosing trains over budget flights.

For budget travellers who can’t afford eco-friendly travel and accommodation, consider how often you are travelling, choose public transportation over Ubers and cabs and choose at local markets over fancy restaurants. Travelling sustainably is in the decisions you make, but it's also a mindset. If you do decide to jump on a plane, be more mindful of your behaviour when you arrive.

If I’m not flying overseas, can I take a train?

What affordable eco-lodging is available?

Is there a route or decision I can make to make this more eco-friendly?

What local sustainable or vegan cuisine do I want to try?


Sometimes, you’ll need to fly. But oftentimes, you don’t. 56.3% of young creatives said their main frustration with purposeful travel was the cost. While it’s true that more sustainable travel options are often expensive, eco-friendly “sacrifices” aren’t often sacrifices at all — there are incredible train journeys, boat trips and eco-lodges all around the world that are not only beautiful but can become a valuable part of your trip.

For example, an overnight train is far more expensive than a quick flight, but it offsets the cost of accommodation. Public transportation is always cheaper and more green than a cab. As mentioned, not everyone can take a lot of time off work. If time is a barrier to choosing the longer, greener route, consider destinations closer to home, or more conveniently accessible — being more selective and realistic with your travel destinations could mean a much lighter carbon footprint.

And always remember that flights and Ubers are 

 — their true cost far outweighs what we pay, and that money is taken from elsewhere. Worker exploitation and eco-destruction are two such effects, and it’s not the wealthy that will feel the impact — 

1% of people cause half of the world’s aviation emissions,

 and most flights are from the global north. Climate change also disproportionately affects those in the global south, in particular people of colour.


Of course, choosing the longer or more expensive route isn’t an option for many. But consider which choices are in your control, and how you can offset your carbon footprint in other, more creative ways.

How is my local travel polluting the environment?

How can I use the money I save for more eco-friendly activities?

Staying longer in a place has numerous benefits — more time to enjoy and explore, and less travel means less environmental impact. While not everyone has the option of taking a lot of time off work or paying for a month’s worth of hotels, staying in a place for longer allows you to naturally build ties to the local community, and pushes you off the tourist path.

Working remotely has become the norm, and this will likely continue — taking your work abroad is a great way to travel for longer while still earning money.

Are longer-term rentals more affordable than short-term accommodation?

Three Easy Ways to Help the Environment While Travelling

Note: The names of the refugees have been changed to protect their identity.

“For the individuals we fly, finding new homes in supportive communities is their greatest chance at living lives of freedom and safety. Miles4Migrants’ goal is to help individuals join their loved ones as quickly as possible, and without undue financial hardship.”

The number of displaced people around the world has 

. The war in Ukraine is yet another example of a nation fleeing violence and conflict, although many other reasons such natural disasters or extreme weather events can mean that it is no longer safe to stay where you are.. According to a 

, COVID-19 has made living and working conditions for migrants and refugees significantly worse.  Densely populated refugee camps across the world are at risk for COVID-19 outbreaks, leaving inhabitants particularly vulnerable due to a lack of accessible medical services. Undocumented migrants are also typically excluded from healthcare benefits and social protection schemes, and many don’t seek healthcare due to prohibitive costs or fear of deportation. The pandemic has made an already devastating migrant crisis even worse. 

Many unused airline miles and credit card rewards points are expiring and going to waste. Programmes like the British Red Cross’s Miles For Refugees and nonprofits like Miles 4 Migrants are operating and flying displaced people to safer homes and to reconnect with family.  

We spoke with Andy Freedman, the co-founder of Miles4Migrants, about how their nonprofit started, how the pandemic has impacted their work, and how they’ve managed to relocate over 3,300 people. We also spoke with Camara, a refugee from Guinea-Conakry who was able to relocate his wife, Mama, to the UK using M4M.

Miles4Migrants began in 2016, when Seth Stanton, Andy Freedman, and Nick Ruiz met on 

 over a shared enthusiasm for rewards points and miles. By September 2016, they had organised a 501(c)(3), and Miles4Migrants was born. For the first few years, M4M operated as a volunteer board, partnering with European NGOs. In their first year, they were able to fly almost 100 individuals. The turning point came in 2018, when Trump’s ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policy led to thousands of children being separated from their families. Even after the policy was reversed, 

“We could never have imagined how our mission would grow and couldn't have predicted the power of a tweet,” Freedman told us over email. “Within three weeks of the tweet about using miles to reunite a separated family, we gained over 38 million miles, hundreds of new donors, and an expanded group of dedicated volunteers to help us grow.”

Beth Wilensky, a law professor at the University of Michigan, tweeted about one particular family that had been separated by US immigration authorities. She tagged Miles4Migrants, along with other organisations including 

. The thread went viral, and M4M was put on the map.

Today Miles4Migrants has five full time employees, including the original three (unpaid) co-founders, and a global team of volunteers. Using over 55 million mile, they’ve relocated over 3,300 displaced people, fleeing war, persecution, natural disasters, and those who have legal permission to travel but can’t afford it. 

of recent relocations have been in U.S. border cases, and the rest have been from all over the world, including Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan. M4M finds refugees and asylum seekers to support through a network of more than 45 ‘on the ground’ nonprofits, who submit requests to M4M for individuals and families who have legal permission to travel, but can’t afford it. The nonprofits are able to help with the legalities and financial vetting to make sure miles go to those who need it most.

While COVID-19 impacted their work at first — ”The pandemic almost completely shut down the flow of flight requests in the second quarter of 2020” — things picked up again in June. By July, Freedman says, “we were back up to flying almost 100 people a month, and we are now almost up to pre-COVID levels, flying 200+ individuals a month.”

M4M gained traction because of a conservative political policy in the states, and they predict the 2020 election results will only positively impact their work. “With a new administration now in place, we are preparing for continued growth based on both the steady rollout of the vaccine and the reopening of borders across the world,” Freedman tells us. But he doesn’t consider M4M’s work political.

“We believe that every individual and family has the right to live in a safe community, without fear of persecution. We don’t consider our organization, or that belief, to be political,” Freedman says.

M4M was able to connect us with Camara, a pulmonologist who fled Guinea-Conakry two years ago over involvement with the country’s first opposition party, UFDG. “I left my country because I was persecuted by the government. I was in jail three times,” Camara says.

For a bit of backstory, the region now known as Guinea was subjected to the European slave trade in the 16th century until it was placed under colonial French rule from the mid-19th century up until 1958. As France’s colonial empire failed, and Guineans were able to vote them out, the French brutally dismantled the country as they left. According to an archived 

 article: "...the French pulled out of Guinea over a two-month period, taking everything they could with them. They unscrewed light bulbs, removed plans for sewage pipelines in Conakry, the capital, and even burned medicines rather than leave them for the Guineans."


In the decades since, the region has faced repression, military rule, stifled press, 

, mass killings, and a declining economy. Guinea is again facing a period of acute political instability — in October, Alpha Condé, Guinea's controversial head of state, won a third term in office, amid violent protests that resulted in the deaths of 

, over political affiliation with the opposing party. Camara was targeted for this very reason.


Camara and his colleagues organised a team of medical students and registered doctors to treat people who were being turned away from hospitals for their involvement in protests — many of whom, he says, had been shot by the military or police. After hearing about an upcoming protest, Camara and his colleagues met up to plan how they’d organise first aid and treatment. “After our meeting, my friends went to their homes and... one group of military or soldiers came to the home and shot them dead — one in the head and the other one in the chest.” Camara says the same group of soldiers came to his home too. “But that day I wasn't at home. So maybe that is why I am alive now.” Camara had to flee immediately, and his wife, Mama, went to hide with her family. His brother who lives in another country was able to get his child out, but he wasn’t allowed to take Mama with him. “I didn't have any chance to see them or to take them with me,” Camara says. “Because it was too dangerous for me and for them.” When Camara made it to the UK, he set to work to get his family over too — but he quickly ran out of money. 

“I spent all my money on the process for documents for traveling, because my wife went to another country to have her interview for her visa, and a TB test, everything. It was very expensive for me... I tried to take a loan here, but I didn't have anything.”

Camara contacted the Asylum Link in Liverpool, and told his story. They put him in contact with Miles4Migrants, who were able to quickly get Mama tickets before her visa expired. “They made it very simple — and that made a huge difference for me.” Camara says that if it weren’t for M4M, she may not have made it to the UK. “I was completely in difficulty, I wasn't able to buy the ticket, so maybe my wife wouldn't come if they didn't intervene in time.” Camara and Mama are both now safe in the UK. He’s studying English and for the OAT so he can resume medical practice. They’re also expecting a baby.

“We are here, so everything's okay. We're in security. We’re well assisted, and a lot of organisations are helping us,” Camara says. “So if I can say something to the people who might donate to the organisation, I will say, please donate, because I am not the only one who is in need — a lot of people are in need. They are making a huge difference for people in need, please, if you have the possibility, if you have the wealth to donate to them, please don't hesitate.”

 via the Miles4Migrants website. It takes less than a minute. Don’t have miles? They also accept rewards points, airline vouchers, and money, which covers the cost of booking fees and taxes.  Once an NGO partner identifies a family in need of miles, the M4M booking team reaches out to help you fulfil your pledge — typically one to three months after the pledge is made.

Miles4Migrants accepts miles from most programmes and airlines, but due to the type and location of flight requests, miles and points from United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Chase Ultimate Rewards are especially appreciated.

In terms of choosing how much to donate, donor miles (with the exception of Alaska Airlines miles, Air Canada Aeroplan miles, and American Express Membership Rewards points) cannot be combined, so each donor’s pledge is used by itself to cover the flight. More miles pledged means international flights, and families, are able to be covered.

There is no ‘right time’ to donate miles — so no need to wait until right after a geopolitical disaster, says Freedman. “We receive requests to support individuals and families in need every day. Only 1% of displaced persons are resettled every year and until everyone is able to live in a safe and secure community there is work to be done — and miles can make a difference!”


There are plenty of ways to get your community involved with Miles4Migrants. Corporate campaigns, for example, are an important way for M4M to ensure they have a steady supply of miles for incoming requests. M4M can help run corporate fundraisers internally and advise on how to engage employees.

Miles4Migrants has worked with several large corporations, like their partnership with united airlines' 

Miles on a Mission crowdsourcing platform for Pride 2020

. The initiative spotlighted reuniting separated refugees, asylees, and asylum-seekers from the LGBTQ+ community who were escaping persecution over their sexual orientation and gender identity.

This past September the British Red Cross’s 

. Participants set up a fundraising page, shared it with their community, and got running, with the goal of collecting 72 miles (the distance from Damascus to Beirut). Other groups and organisations can also get in contact to discuss how they can support M4M with community-based work… or you can make your own fundraiser, with community running, walking, and cycling challenges.

There’s never been an easier time to give up your frequent flier miles — but once we’re able to travel again, think about how you can make donating miles a permanent part of your purposeful travel.


Use Your Unused Airline Miles to Help Refugees

‘Voluntourism’ is considered the fastest growing ‘trend’ in travel, with ONLY 55% of non-profit organisations assessing their overall impact. So, how do we know we’re actually enacting positive change?

The term refers to the growing phenomenon of people who travel to developing countries to volunteer. You’ve probably been associated with the concept at some point in your life: on a gap year or if you weren’t blessed with one, witnessing it through your globe-trotting friend’s IG feed. On the surface-level, these photos seem harmless, filled with genuine smiles and overall uplifting messages, but the problem lies behind this facade.