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Last Updated
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Tourism and Climate Change 
The world won't get no better if we just let it be.
- Earth
Notebook |
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TOURISM AND
CLIMATE CHANGE |
BACKGROUND
Tourism depends on the natural environment. Climate changes are
making a substantial impact on travel. Likewise, travel contributes
to carbon emissions that alter the global environment. The relationships
among tourism, climate change, sustainability, biodiversity and
economic development are complex and until recently have not been
studied in depth.
WEB 1, 2, 3
Discussion takes place on the Planeta
Forum. We'll keep an eye on new Facebook and Flickr groups and
other quality resources on the Web.
OUTCOMES
We will be updating the Tourism and Climate Change guide on a
regular basis and will present an overview of critical issues, resources
and global action plans in presentations to be delivered at conferences.
QUESTIONS
What is the impact of tourism on climate change and of climate
change on tourism?
What are the most effective ways to promote low carbon economies?
What are your questions about tourism and climate change?
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WORKING NOTES
The issue of tourism and climatechange is clearly complicated,
but not without some practical actions, particularly from those
who are the forefront of ecotourism
and responsible
travel.
We have been talking about the environmental
impact of transportation for years and recently this topic is
making headline news.
Returning from the 2007 New
Zealand ecotourism conference it is interesting to note a growing
regional awareness that the growing eco mindset (not to mention
development of labels such as 'food miles') may push Oceania away
from travel planning of those in the Americas
and Europe. It's easy to see how this might affect tourism heading
to Africa which is worrying a number of operators on that continent.
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| The question is ... from the national
tourism boards, ecotourism associations and other leaders, what
message is being sent out? Are these institutions explaining to
travelers why travel matters and how to make the most of their trip?
The Planeta.com view is that long-haul transportation needs to be
supported and encouraged when it has a pro-social and pro-eco aim.
It could even be supported without the loftiest of lofty intents,
but we'd better be aware, conscientious, about the impact of our
actions or inaction.
As to individual 'carbon offsetting' -- it is akin to the papal
indulgences sold in the Middle Ages and beautifully spoofed by Cheat
Neutral.
ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB
Climate
change: what you can do - Australian Psychological Society
A
Shift in the Debate Over Global Warming - New York Times
Keys
to climate protection - Scientific American
Melting
Away - New Zealand Listener
Ecotourism,
climate change, peak oil and flying - Ecoafrica
Ecotourism
and flying - Ecoafrica
Climate
Change - International Rivers Network
Air travel
and global warming - Edward Hasbrouck
Been
there, done that, got the offset - Ottawa Citizen
Climate Camp
on Newsnight - YouTube
Greening
Air Travel - WorldChanging
Carbon
Output Must Near Zero To Avert Danger, New Studies Say - Washington
Post
Does
distance matter? - Independent
Changing
climate haunting tourism - IHT
National
Ecotourism Policy Responding to Climate Change
ClimateXChange
Dunedin Environment Centre Trust
Climate
Change and Australian Tourism (PDF)
The
economic effects of climate change - New Zealand Institute (PDF)
Estrategia
Nacional de Cambio Climático - SEMARNAT (PDF)
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
International Public Forum on Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change:
The Tropical Australian Experience
Climate
change and indigenous peoples
Bridging
divides at climate change symposium - Indian Country Today
OFFSETS
Discretionary
Travel Endangers the Planet's Biodiversity - John Shores
Carbon
Offsets: Paying off Unsustainable Life Styles or Investing in Sustainability
- Michael Kaye
Carbon
Offsets are a Joke - Tim Leffel
The
Truth About Carbon Offsetting - Travel and Leisure
Cheat Neutral
Cheat
Neutral - YouTube
Can
you be traveling green by buying offsets? - USA Today
Climate
Change and Tourism: Assessment and Coping Strategies
Carbon
Conundrum - Don George
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ABOUT PLANETA
Planeta.com is an award-winning
website that presents articles and discussion about the environment
and travel. We are celebrating our 15th anniversary - Planeta.com debuted in 1994. Travelers will find tips on
choosing eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly trips.
Professionals will find a number of helpful resources, including
the Exploring
Ecotourism Resource Guide. If you have questions about our site,
contact us. |
EDUCATION
Learning never ends. See if one of our workshops is right for you. |
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