Welcome to Eco Travel Logue, your one-stop Ecotourism Travel Guide. Ecotourism is not just about choosing the greener option; it’s about discovering new ways of travelling and making a difference. So whether you’re looking for info on ideas and destinations, eco-friendly accommodation, from budget to luxury, or want the low-down on the latest ecotourism news and views, you should find it here on Eco Travel Logue. And if there’s anything you wanted to know about Ecotourism but were too afraid to ask, email me here. Happy travels!
If you’re keen on offsetting carbon emissions then you must be pretty concerned about the environment, but did you know there are other things you can do to compensate for your dirty carbon collecting habit without having to fork out anything to carbon offsetting companies? Yes, that’s right, you can offset your own emissions, your way.
Stop eating baked beans for a dayControversial, but you never know, if there was a global ‘Ban Baked Beans for a Day’ campaign the effect of having less methane produced could result in an overwhelming reduction on carbon emissions world wide. As it stands, with 6.6 billion people on the planet, all of whom are prone to the odd moment of gaseous release, put cows and their methane producing ways to shame.
The greener alternative to flying and no need to worry about leg room, screaming babies or grumpy stewards. Not sure how far it will get you though.
It sure will save on accommodation costs and is the easiest way to be at one with nature when travelling. If you’re already a camping convert, go one step further and build your camping abode with recycled materials. Myhab festival tents are great example of what you can build with cardboard. [more]
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Initially, when carbon offsetting first came on the scene it was awarded great praise and people concerned about the environment jumped at the idea. Paying a small amount towards regeneration and renewable sources seemed not too much to ask. In a way it put people’s mind at rest that they could continue their lifestyle while being able to compensate for a growing carbon footprint.
What’s the problem with carbon offsetting?
Now, it’s a different story, people aren’t quite so ready to part with their cash because since the beginning of the carbon offsetting craze the number of companies claiming to be able to offset emissions has grown exponentially and quotes for offsets can vary widely, so how can we trust them to do what they say they’re going to do with our money?
[more]Eight new natural sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List yesterday, 8 July 2008. David Sheppard, head of the Protected Areas Programme with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said, “These eight stunning natural sites are amongst the best of what nature has to offer.”
The IUCN is the world’s oldest environmental organisation. It carries out technical evaluations of the natural values of the sites nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List. “Each site has been carefully inspected by IUCN and thoroughly deserves a place on the prestigious World Heritage List,” said Sheppard.
The eight new UNESCO World Heritage sites are:
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico.
Around a billion monarch butterflies cluster together to spend the winter in the fir forests of this biosphere reserve in Central Mexico, some of them making a journey of up to 4,500 kms from points in the United States and Canada to get there.
If you’re planning on visiting Europe any time soon, why not get involved in a new mutli-centre study that is to take place in 23 Sea Life Centres across Britain and Europe.
Sea Life is carrying out studies on octopuses to determine whether they favour a particular tentacle for picking things up. Scientists want to test their theory that the intelligent sea molluscs have a preferred arm out of the eight they have to choose from, much like humans favour their left or right hand.
The octopuses will be given food and toys to play with. The tentacle they use to feed and investigate with will be recorded. This is where visitors can get involved; all you need to do is sign a form on entry if you’re willing to participate.
Alongside each tank will be the diagram of an octopus. The arms on the right will be labelled from front to back, R1, R2, R3, R4 and on the left, L1, L2, L3, L4.
When the octopuses are given their toys, such as a ball, a jam jar or Lego bricks, visitors are encouraged to chart which arm was closest to the object and which arm picked the object up. If the octopus uses a number of arms, they too are to be written down but this time in the order that they touched the object.
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Virgin tycoon Richard Branson has announced plans to transform one of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) into the most environmentally-friendly resort on the planet.
He pointed out to a reporter on a tour of Necker Island (one of his own islands in the BVI) recently that there is no reason in the world why the Caribbean should not be a leader in using renewable sources because they have an abundance of sun, wind and waves, everything needed to generate natural power.
“It is actually inexcusable for the Caribbean to need to use dirty fuels anymore when it has all these natural resources on its doorstep,” said Branson.
The island he is looking to for this possible eco-friendly resort is a little wind-beaten, uninhabited island just off the isle of Virgin Gorda, called Mosquito. Branson envisions an eco enclave of up to 20 villas, along with a beachside restaurant, powered exclusively by wind turbines and solar panels. Food will be grown locally, beach buggies powered by biofuels will be available for people to get around and tree planting will be encouraged to offset carbon emissions.
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One of Ecotourism Logue’s favourite green sites of the moment is Go Green Travel Green. The articles are punchy, witty and informative and make people question their travelling habits.
The website recently featured a green travel series starting with 31 Reasons to Travel Green: In Pictures, a disturbing yet motivating post on why it’s good to go green. As the old saying goes, ’sometimes pictures speak louder than words’.
Another great post by the Go Green Travel Green team is Shades of Green Travel. This …
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