Green Travel Notebook

Should Zoos & Aquariums Educate Customers?

Manda Trevarthen — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:28:22 +0000

Humphead Wrasse in Aquarium

There are many tourist organisations that rely on unique environmental locations or endangered species to make money either for profit or to support ongoing work. However whether these organisations have a responsibility to educate their customers about the environmental side of their operation is another question. A lot of people, whether on holiday or in their home town, visit zoos or aquariums to see a range of exotic creatures up close but the majority of people end up leaving without any further knowledge than what they had at the start of the visit. Often there is little information provided by zoos and aquariums about the species they house, the threats the creature is facing or whether it is endangered or vulnerable.

It can always be argued that the general public is only looking for entertainment and they don’t want to know about more these issues. Organisations that do see education as part of their role often focus their efforts towards children and there is little or no effort put into educating adult customers. However increasing the awareness of the general public about biodiversity and the actions required to protect a species helps support the work being done by organisations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund. However is it only these organisations that have a responsibility for increasing awareness or do tourism organisations have a role to play as well?

This question applies to any vulnerable or endangered species used in tourism. While different organisations categorise endangered species in different ways, there is general agreement about species most under threat. The IUCN manages one of the most well know databases of species which categorises species as being of least concern through near threatened, vulnerable, endangered and extinct (more information about criteria can be found on the IUCN website).

The Humphead Wrasse is an example of why education is required. There are a number of public aquariums that house this large fish which is classified as endangered with a decreasing population. The fish is slow to reproduce which makes any threats to its population even more serious. The main threats facing the Humphead Wrasse is damage to coral reefs and being hunted as a gourmet delicacy in Asia. Educating the general public about the importance of sustainable seafood and sustainable fishing is one aspect of protecting this species but this is often not mentioned by aquariums that have these fish.

So next time you are visiting a zoo or aquarium have a look at the information provided about the different species on show and whether you find yourself more educated at the end of your visit. Providing feedback to the organisation is the best way of encouraging them to increase the information they have available.

3 Ways Public Transport is Getting Greener

Manda Trevarthen — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:58:06 +0000

Travel involves transport and with the high level of level of carbon emissions generated by public transport means that travel has a big impact on the environment. However this is not going unnoticed and individuals, companies and governments are implementing ways to reduce the environmental impact, and particularly carbon emissions, of different transport options. Here are three ways that the environmental impact of public transport is being reduced:

1. Public Transport Companies Going Green
Public transport providers are recognizing their environmental impact and the need to introduce more sustainable business practices if they are going to stay competitive. More and more airlines have introduced carbon offsetting programs which travelers can choose when they purchase tickets. Eurostar has a campaign which addresses a number of environmental issues including carbon emissions. The decision to introduce more sustainable options not only helps the environment but also puts the company in a competitive position for growing consumer awareness of environmental issues.

2. Consumers Making Different Choices
Every company is driven to provide what their customers want and with more publicity on environmental issues the general public is becoming more aware of transport choices. People are starting to acknowledge that using public transport to get to work is more environmentally friendly than driving their individual vehicles. Although change is slow, more and more indicators suggest that the public are considering environmental factors in their purchasing such as buying carbon offsets when flying, using public transport more often and considering more environmentally friendly hybrid car models.

3. Developers Considering Transport in New Developments
While councils and other government departments have long been involved in detailed transport planning, there is now greater consideration to giving the local population greater travel options such as providing better footpaths and cycling lanes in urban areas. The consideration of transport options is also being taken on board by property developers who are now more likely to consider transport access and availability as part of their initial planning of a new development. Some councils, such as the Workingham Borough Council in the United Kingdom, have rules developers must follow in an effort to ensure better transport in the area.

Although the public transport industry as a whole has a long way to go in adopting sustainable practices there are clear indications that the ‘greening’ of public transport is becoming a higher priority. The combined effort of individuals, companies and governments is vital to reducing carbon emissions from transportation.

How Travellers Can Stop Using Plastic Water Bottles

Manda Trevarthen — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:28:37 +0000

Travellers from developed countries are used to turning on the tap to get clean drinking water. However there are many countries around the world where the water system does not provide potable (drinkable) water. While water maybe readily available for washing or bathing, drinking it can cause serious illness. The most common alternative in countries where tap water is not safe to drink is bottled water which is cheap and readily available. Unfortunately the number of plastic water bottles used generates a huge amount of waste and are a common form of pollution. Although some bottles are recycled, many end up slowly degrading in landfills or being burnt which can cause toxic fumes. Here are four ways you can reduce your impact on the environment and avoid using plastic water bottles next time you’re travelling.

1. Refill your bottles: In some countries it is possible to refill water bottles with purified water without the need to buy an additional bottle. This not only reduces the number of plastic bottles you use but can also work out much cheaper. Your hotel or local taxi driver should be able to point you in the right direction.

2. Boil rather than buy water: Boiling water is the safest way to make water safe to drink as it kills all common water borne pathogens. If you have the facilities to boil water when you’re travelling you can reduce your need for bottled water. Make sure you boil the water vigorously for 1 minute and allow it to cool to room temperature. A pinch of salt per litre will improve the taste

3. Choose a hotel with a water purification system: Larger hotels often install their own purification or desalination system making the water from the hotel taps safe to drink. If you’re staying in one of these places, ask whether the hotel water is drinkable and what they are doing to reduce the use of plastic water bottles. Some small hotels have large water coolers guests can refill their water bottles from.

4. Carry your own water filter: There are now a range of portable water filters on the market that can easily be taken with you when travelling. These come in range of sizes depending on your needs and are great for people intending to get off the beaten track where drinkable water may not be available at all.

So the next time you’re travelling check out these great options for getting drinkable water without using plastic water bottles. If you do have to buy water in plastic bottles, make sure you keep these separate from other rubbish. Some bottles can be recycled and people in parts of Thailand and China earn extra money by taking bottles to recycling firms. The least you can do is make it easier by keeping recyclables separate from other waste.

When it Comes to Green Travel – Distance Matters

Manda Trevarthen — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:28:31 +0000

One of the things to think about when traveling green is the travel distance – not only for you and your family but also for everything you use on your holiday – it all has to come from somewhere. Here are three areas where paying attention to travel distance can reduce your environmental impact.:

1. Trains, Planes & Automobiles

The negative impacts of transport are well known and one way of being a green traveler is to stick close to home, however, if you decide to travel further afield, there are ways to reduce your environmental impact.

First consider how you are traveling. It is impossible to say exactly which form of transport is more environmentally friendly for a particular journey without considering all the variables such as vehicle maintenance, fuel consumption and infrastructure. However generally trains are more environmentally friendly than cars, and both of these are better than flying. If you do have to fly, Treehugger suggests that aside from offsetting carbon emissions, choosing direct flights, not flying business class and packing lighter will help reduce your environmental impact.

2. Employees Have to Travel Too

Another factor is how far employees have to travel to the hotels, shops are restaurants you visit during your holiday. The trips to and from work for employees quickly add up in terms of environmental impact and it is worth considering how employee travel is supported by the companies you use. Do the companies provide employees with discounted public transport (if available), are they committed to employing people in the local area or if you are in a remote destination – are employees offered housing so they can stay on-site?

3. Where Does Your Food Come From?

A lot of people want new experiences on holiday but still prefer to eat the same food they get at home. Many popular holiday destinations have to import most of what tourists consume which also contributes to waste disposal problems – particularly in small island destinations. When eating out choose food that is grown locally or at least within the same country rather than imported from overseas. Also check whether the hotels and restaurants you use support locally grown produce getting their supplies from local farmers where possible.

Tourism for Tomorrow Award Finalists Announced

Manda Trevarthen — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:06:30 +0000

The World Travel and Tourism Council have announced the twelve finalists for the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. There were over 160 entries from 45 countries for the awards that recognise best practice in sustainable tourism.

The 2010 finalists are:

Destination Stewardship Award

This award goes to a destination with a network of tourism enterprises that show success and dedication to maintaining a programme of sustainable tourism management.

Conservation Award

This award is for a tourism business that can demonstrate a tangible contribution to the conservation of natural heritage.

Community Benefit Award

The Community Benefit Award is for a tourism business that can demonstrate direct benefits to local people.

Global Tourism Business Award

This award recognises best practices in sustainable tourism at a large company level.

Winners will be announced on 26 May 2010.

8 Ways to Help Endangered Animals

Manda Trevarthen — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:24:05 +0000

With the increasing awareness of the number of threatened and endangered animals in the world, there is also a greater concern as to what actions individuals can take to support endangered animals and (hopefully) ensure they survive for future generations.

Here are 8 ways you can support endangered animals:

Become more aware: There are a huge number of organisations throughout the world working with endangered animals. By learning more about the different species and what impacts them, the more you’ll be able to help. The World Wildlife Fund website is a great place to start.

Join an organisation that supports endangered animals: Many organisations are working to save endangered and threatened species. Some concentrate on a particular species or geographical area while others undertake work internationally for a whole range of flora and fauna.

Support national parks: Have you visited a national park this year? Do you where your closest national parks are? By visiting national parks and participating in their activities, you give government a reason to protect habitats.

Don’t buy anything made from threatened or endangered animals: A wide range of products can be made from parts of animals and it is not uncommon to find jewelery made from turtle shell or coral, whale bone carvings or traditional medicines containing bear or tiger parts. While many countries are signed up to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) making trade illegal, these products can still be found in a number of countries or on auction websites. If in doubt, don’t buy.

Reduce your carbon footprint: Sea level rises as a result of climate change are blamed for destroying habitats which is one of main threats to endangered animals. Reduce your carbon footprint by taking action to reduce the amount of energy you use.

Reduce and reuse: By not consuming new products, you reduce your energy consumption and the demand for raw materials – consider the world demand for wood and paper products and how many trees that consumes.

Volunteer your time: Conservation organisations around the world need help with a variety of tasks such as working in education centers, planting trees or cutting scrub.

Think about the presents you buy: Both the World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy have programs where you can buy a unique present and donate money to endangered animals at the same time. No idea what to get Aunt Mildred this year – how about a gift certificate to send a turtle to rehab or an acre of grassland in Africa.