Our Responsibility to the Coast

OCVA Resiliency Action

Our Responsibility to the Oregon Coast

Tourism isn’t just about travel; It’s about our vibrant natural beauty, the success of local businesses, and the access to fresh, local food. Promoting sustainable practices across the board is essential to fulfilling our mission. We’re here to be the champions for the future of this place.

Why Sustainable Tourism?

Tourism touches nearly every aspect of the coastal economy. Our nature, our local business, our local food. By doing all this sustainably, we’re building a resilient tourism economy and ensuring the ongoing health of this place we call home.

Rising sea levels, erosion, and extreme weather events are on the rise, and they all impact life in a rural coastal community. By mitigating travel impacts and promoting responsible tourism, we can address these issues and safeguard the continued health of the coast for generations of visitors to come.

Key Statistics:

• Tourism is responsible for roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions.⁵Yale School of the Environment. (2018, May 7). Tourism accounts for 8 percent of global CO2 emissions. Yale Environment 360. Travel is essential to our economy, and that economy relies on a healthy environment.
• Our coastlines are vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise, ocean acidification, wildfires, landslides, and changing weather patterns that will dramatically change the ecological health of our ocean, forests, and wetlands. We want to build resilience into our communities.
• People recognize the need for sustainability and are excited to embrace it while traveling. 90% of visitors want to make eco-conscious choices on their trips.⁶Booking.com. (2024). Sustainable travel report 2024. ⁷Expedia Group Media Solutions. (2022, April). Sustainable travel study.
• We’re moving in the right direction. It is estimated that the sustainable innovation economy will be worth up to $26 trillion by 2030.⁸Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. (2018). Unlocking the inclusive growth story of the 21st century: Accelerating climate action in urgent times. By engaging in this work, we can bring this burgeoning economy to the Oregon Coast.

All 363 miles of Oregon’s coast are designated as public access – our vision of the “people’s coast,” is to ensure lasting access to this incredible place, its natural resources, and the ability for everyone to experience them.