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Harrison Gerson, a Columbia University Laidlaw Scholar, on on climate change, tourism and sustainability.

Research title: Mapping & Reframing Urban Ecotourism in NYC

New York City’s urban environment presents a new angle on ecotourism: one that sets the natural environment in constant conversation and conflict with changing communities and their development. Cities frame ecotourism in locations that are more environmentally, economically, and socially resilient than traditional ecotourist locations.

This map educates New Yorkers and ecotourists on how to view NYC as an accessible location where one can learn about how humans harm, maintain, and restore nature with a growing population in a cost and resource-efficient setting. NYC exposes visitors to the complexity of environmental justice, elucidating not only the inequalities in nature and sustainability access but also the progress made to uplift communities through the environment, as seen with the High Line and local urban gardens. The map also acknowledges New York City as the native homeland of the Lenape people, who have been forcefully displaced through settler colonialism, and the project intends to uplift and educate on historically disadvantaged communities, and support works that embrace these communities and sustainable development. The map locations intend to go beyond the traditional views of NYC and nature, beyond walking through Central Park into more environmentally-minded activities such as waterway restoration, thrifting, and cycling, all forms of regenerative tourism. One can gain a better sense of place through educational and volunteer opportunities. The growth and publicity of the map will inform people’s decisions about travel and their activities to encourage them to reduce their carbon footprint, contribute to regenerating nature, and uplift local communities. All locations are accessible by public transportation.

Where did your passion for this research originate?

My passion for ecotourism feels very logical. When I grew up, my placemat at the dinner table displayed the world map. I have always enjoyed exploring. Moreover, I love education. You could place me in (almost) any classroom, and I would love the learning. Given the current climate crisis, I feel the best use of my intellect is to contribute to restoring the Earth. Through an ecotourism lens, I have the opportunity to improve environmental conditions while exploring how people interact with each other and the planet.

My first summer research focused on my skills and current opportunity of living in New York. Coming from the state and attending Columbia, I feel competent in my understanding of the workings of the city, so I decided to reshape the way that tourists and New Yorkers can view New York through lens that centers on environmental justice, circularity, and carbon emissions reductions.

My second summer Leadership-in-Action with the Federation of Tourism Enterprises of Chile takes me into a comfortably uncomfortable space where I can apply my ecotourism skills in a more national context within the Southern Cone of the Americas within the tourism industry itself.

What is your most memorable Laidlaw experience?

In New York, I enjoyed interviewing Sandra Goldmark, the director of Barnard Sustainability, within her own neighbourhood of Inwood at Inwood Hill Park. Interviewing her from my interactive map of NYC tourism was a great experience to learn more about her life and the story of the park. Moreover, what brought me the most joy was how she saw the park through new eyes when she was telling me about it. During the interview, she noted her fun memories throughout the park and the park’s rich history, which excited me!

In Santiago, I have enjoyed interviewing a carbon-neutral tourism enterprise that takes visitors to Antarctica from the tip of Chile. Chile is one of the most geographically diverse spaces in the world, and its presence to Antarctica totally boggles me. Learning about the company’s environmental footprint and the steps and recommendations to lower their impact engrossed me, as they operate within perhaps the most niche sectors of tourism within a fragile ecosystem.

What is the biggest challenge you have come across?

The biggest challenge in both of my Laidlaw experiences is the environmental ethics of contributing to the tourism industry. About 8% of global carbon emissions derive from tourism. Working within New York, I felt a strong connection to the place and could see the growth of sustainable tourism within New York. Within Santiago, finding this growth is more challenging. For one, my sheer travel to Santiago has a large carbon footprint, and I am also less familiar with the landscape of Chile. Making recommendations with regard to shaping the tourism industry in Chile is a big task, so I ensure to check with multiple voices within the industry as I develop my recommendations. Questions around carbon offsets, for instance, really trouble me, as although I see offsets as not ideal, I am unsure as to whether many of these businesses would consider other environmental options given their draws to profits. I have taken the perspective of “challenging” these businesses to see what they could do more beyond the carbon offset sphere. I encourage them and their clients to become ambassadors of their local environments, educating about the impact of climate change and the steps we can take to preserve their sacred spaces.

What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?

To be a Laidlaw Scholar is to challenge the systems around us. The more I learn through my research and leadership, the more impassioned I am to promote positive change within the environmental sphere and combat neocolonialist thought within these spaces.

Which leaders inspire you the most and why?

When thinking about leaders within my space, they are still being created. Within the climate sphere, I want to highlight Sandra Goldmark, for whom I work at Barnard Sustainability. She, our director, is helping transform Barnard College into a circular campus that is sustainable and efficient. She uses her background in Theatre Arts to improve the world of Sustainability. She takes a really personal approach, using the strengths of the Theatre community to expand sustainability in the arts and throughout Barnard. Her intersection impassions me to think about how I can use my passions to improve sustainable development.

Briefly describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.

I picture myself working within the intergovernmental space. However, at my core, I see my future taking me where my impact is most needed.

Something personal to add

Thank you to Columbia´s Laidlaw Coordinator Ariella Lang, my research mentor Dean Shannon Márquez, and Columbia Global Centers | Santiago for supporting my Laidlaw journey to Chile.

Quick-fire Questions

📺 Currently binging: Heartstopper

📚 My top book recommendation: Dial A for Auntis by Jesse Q. Sutanto

🎶 My anthem: Upside Down by Jack Johnson

🎵 Podcast obsession: Easy German

🌈 Something that made me feel joy recently: I took a train from the 1930s to the coast of Chile!