We all hear the term "global warming" all the time. In recent months I have started to read travel stories about how the permanent ice cap of Kilimanjaro is melting, how the ski resorts in the Alps will permanently close due to lack of snow, how glaciers are melting in the Arctic, how much more and more frequent and severe weather disturbances are upsetting tourism, and it continues. Some of these stories even urge us to go now before some of these scenic spots are transformed or lost forever. Climate change has now become a concern for global travelers.
The journey, of course, has environmental consequences. Long-distance travel involves the creation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, airliners are among the most intense pollutants existing today. In addition, wherever we go, we consume food and other services and create waste. So what do we do?
As for aircraft emissions, there are actually some concrete things we can do. There are ways to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from aviation by purchasing trees that will be planted to offset those emissions. At Trees for the Future, your $ 40.00 will actually pay for the planting of 400 trees that will help offset greenhouse gases. You will also receive a global cooling certificate and a bumper sticker. On their website you will also see a list of partners, including lodges and bed and breakfasts that are powered by renewable energy sources.
Rainforest Alliance actually offers a variety of information for eco-savvy travelers. They also offer sustainable tourism certification to tourist establishments which is based on methods to reduce the consumption of water, energy and other resources and to improve the management, management and disposal of waste. They even make a tool kit for the best sustainable tourism practices available for small and medium-sized businesses in the tourism sector.
On their website, Rainforest Alliance also supports a series of simple eco-friendly behaviors that we can all try to follow:
o Support local economies by looking for locally owned accommodation and restaurants, locally grown food and local products and crafts.
o Sponsor eco-friendly hotels whose managers have programs to save water and energy.
o Stay on hiking trails. Clean your mess and dispose of waste properly. Keep a distance from wildlife.
o Travel as much as possible with mass transportation.
o Avoid vehicles with two-stroke engines such as jet skis, scooters and some boats, which are extremely polluting.
o Be culturally sensitive to local customs, greetings, dress codes and eating habits.
o Treat others with the same respect that you would like to ask in your community.
Other ecological certification programs for tour operators and tips for eco-expert consumers include the following websites:
- Terra Choice
- Green Globe 21
- Environmental choice
- Green seal
- The global eco-label network
- The neutral climate network
Another interesting site is Future Forests: it promotes a "carbon neutral" lifestyle, in order to neutralize our impact on the environment. Future forests have been demonstrating to people with a variety of environmental gifts since 1997. You can dedicate a tree, for example, to $ 10.00. You can also plan zero-emission weddings with Future Forests.
An interesting thing about their website is that they offer a really interesting carbon emissions calculator that allows you to calculate the expected flight or driving emissions. I thought I'd take a look at this, so I entered some speculated data for a flight from New York City to London, England.
I immediately discovered that this flight would produce 1.22 tons of CO2. The calculator also tells me that if I dedicate 2 trees I can make this flight carbon neutral. Alternatively, I would be able to supply 2 energy saving bulbs to a small community in developing countries. Both options would be £ 30. I also checked their carbon guide calculator. If I drive 400 km (250 miles) every week in a car with a displacement of between 1.4 and 2 liters, I would generate 4 tons of CO2 per year, which would require 5 trees to compensate.
In addition to planting trees, you can also purchase "carbon offsets". A "carbon offset" is actually an investment in a project or action with the aim of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Offset projects are available in many varieties and can include tree plantations or reforestation, building retrofits (i.e. installation of more efficient heating / cooling systems) or wind energy projects.
According to the Better World Club website, this is how it works: you can book a flight through Better World Travel - Members and get free carbon offsetting for their domestic flight in the United States (worth $ 11). If you book a flight through the Internet, another travel agency or airline, send them a tax-deductible donation to offset your flight's CO2 emissions. ($ 11 for domestic flights or $ 22 for international flights.)
So the good news is that there are really ways to balance the environmental impact that we all have, even while traveling.
