IntroductionInternational tourism can now be recognized as one of the sectors that contribute the most to the GDP of many countries. Moreover, it has transformed them in many aspects such as economy, socioculture and environment. International tourism involves the activity of tourists entering and leaving a country and resident or non-resident visitors in the country (World Tourism Organization 2014). The World Tourism Organization predicts that the growth of tourism activities will increase by an average of 3.3% by 2030. Today, people are increasingly aware of environmental sustainability. Technologies and regulations are being developed to promote this problem and prevent further exploitation that could cause harm. This essay discusses the impact of international tourism on the environment and its impact in the next 10 years. Topics for this discussion will be climate change and natural resource depletion as an impact of the rapidly growing tourism industry. Environmental change Environmental change can be defined as changes in the physical and biogeochemical environment, either caused naturally or influenced by human activities (GECAFS 2008). Many of the impacts of environmental change come from one of the fastest growing industries in the world, international tourism. However, the relationship between environmental change and the growth of international tourism is twofold. Cooper and Hall (2013) stated that it is almost inevitable that the growth of global tourism will come at a significant cost to the environment. Similarly, Mitchell (2013) also mentioned that international tourism is growing globally at a relatively faster rate than the environment can renew itself in most destinations. This event could occur due to... middle of article......looter effects. Steer, A. (2013). Resource depletion, climate change and economic growth. Global Citizen Foundation project “Towards a better global economy. Cooperative Research Center on Sustainable Tourism”, (2008). The carbon footprints of Australian tourism. Gold Coast. United Nations, (2007). Climate change and tourism: responding to global challenges, advanced summary. Available at: http://esa.un.org/marrakechprocess/pdf/davos_rep_advan_summ_26_09.pdfWorld Resources Institute, (2013). Global Resources Report 2013-14: Creating a Sustainable Food Future. World Tourism Organization, (2014). Annual report 2013. Madrid: UNWTO.WTTC, (2014). Climate change: a danger or a savior for the future of tourism? | Global News | WTTC. [online] Available at: http://news.wttc.org/policies/climate-change-a-danger-to-or-saviour-of-tourisms-future/801707793 [Accessed April 23. 2014].