“Last-Chance” Tourism & Becoming a Good Environmental Steward
By Alexis Love on June 6th, 2025
Last-Chance Tourism
Climate Change is a phrase we here too often in our daily lives, as climate anxiety increases, the more people begin to flock to destinations they fear may vanish. Last-chance tourism is a term used to strike not only curiosity but concern. Last-chance tourism is seen across Canada, most famously known is the Athabasca Glacier in Alberta, Canada. Here in Southwestern Ontario, the concept hits close to home, as one of very own natural landscapes is under a constant threat from the ever changing climate crisis.
Located along the north shore of Lake Erie in Norfolk County resides Long Point, which is a designated UNESCO World Biosphere, one of only 19 within Canada.
Aerial shot of the Long Point UNESCO World Biosphere in Norfolk County
From the mainland to its tip, Long Point stretches over 40km into Lake Erie, and is the longest freshwater sand spit in the world. Long Point is well known among the birder community as it welcomes of 390 migratory species each year, and is home to rare species such as the endangered, Blanding’s Turtle, American Badger, Eastern Fox Snake, and many more.
The region is not just famous for its natural beauty and surrounding Carolinian Forest, but also for its dynamic and ever changing landscape. However due to human-caused climate impacts, this change is accelerating faster than ever before.
Here’s the breakdown of what is putting Long Point at risk:
Shoreline Erosion: as Lake Erie’s water levels rise, the tip of Long Point begins to shrink.
Increased Severe Weather Events: more severe storms cause sands dunes to become unstable which worsens coastal erosion.
Warming Temperatures: warming temperatures threaten migratory patterns of birds, decreased wetland health, and causes a decrease in overall biodiversity.
The story does not end at Lake Erie. Further north, Lake Huron’s shoreline is also being reshaped by climate change, through coastal erosion. Due to Climate Change, the region has seen less lake ice coverage due to warmer air and water temperatures. This ice traditionally acted as a natural shield to protect the shoreline from powerful waves and storms during the winter months.
Photo from CBC News, of a tree uprooted in Grand Bend, Ontario
In areas like Sarnia, Kettle Point, Goderich, and Grand Bend, this type of erosion not only alters the surrounding ecosystem but threatens local history and infrastructure. Home and business owners must invest in retaining walls to prevent their property from falling into Lake Huron, some of these changes are already visible when visiting places such as the Pinery Provincial Park, as sand dunes become unstable and beaches begin to shrink. These changes are unfolding now, and call for an urgent need for adaption and conservation efforts.
Best Practices
Although these facts may seem daunting, there are ways that you can help slow down the affects of Climate Change in your own lives.
First, click the button below to get you Carbon Footprint estimate.
Once you have obtained your carbon footprint these are some things you can do to lower it:
Limit car use: walk, bike or use public transit when exploring your region.
Reduce meat and dairy consumption: start by reducing beef consumption, as cows are the largest natural producers of methane.
Avoid single use plastics
Offset your carbon use: buy local, use public transportation, switch to LED lightbulbs, completely unplug electronics when not in use.
Importance of Being a Good Environmental Steward
Being a good environmental steward and having a good understanding of best practices is important because the choices we make have a direct impact on the health of our planet. From protecting biodiversity and preserving clean air and water, to making changes in your own life to be more sustainable, stewardship means taking responsibility for how we interact with the natural world. It is not just about reducing further harm, but actively caring for the ecosystems that sustain life. Whether it is through daily habit changes, community involvement, or supporting conservation efforts, environmental stewardship empowers individuals to be a part if the solution, to preserve our natural spaces for generations to come. These changes are not a one time action, but a total shift in mindset. We need to be conscious of our environmental footprint, not only in our daily lives but also when we travel, ensuring that the places we love continue to thrive with the same beauty and biodiversity we came to admire.
Author
Alexis Love, BA. (Hons) Environmental Studies
