What is Climate Change?

 

 

Plan your travels to reduce the impact you have on the environment.

Planning your trip>>

Travel to destination>>

On-site>>

Travel back home>>

Remembering>>

  


"The summer was drier this year."

"The winter felt colder last year."

These are daily comments we say or might hear in any conversation with family or friends. When we express these comments we are talking about the WEATHER, which is the current state of the ATMOSPHERE. The same weather the TV news reporter tries to forecast but seems never to get it quite right.

We tend to visit places with a different weather or climate than the place we live in. CLIMATE describes the general characteristics of the weather experienced in any region. Around the world we can find many climates, and thanks to climate we sometimes decide on where to go. We sometimes are looking for destinations with a better climate but something is happening that climate is not what we expected so we notice that the climate is changing.

To understand why CLIMATE CHANGE is happening we must talk about the GREENHOUSE EFFECT. The climates that exist around the world which sustain life (you, your dog, the grass, the tress…) exist thanks to the greenhouse effect which keeps the Earth’s atmosphere warm and comfortable for all of us. The greenhouse effect is turning into a negative process because our life-style, the industry, the use of cars among other things is increasing the emissions of GREENHOUSE GASES. The increase of these gases is causing a GLOBAL WARMING, it is estimated that the overall temperature in the world will rise 5 °C. That change in temperature apparently small to you and me will have disastrous effects in climates all around the world: stronger storms will provoke unstoppable flooding, droughts will kill crops and livestock, Antarctica and the North Pole ice will start to melt and sea levels will rise enough to cover complete islands and people will have to migrate.

What can we do to reduce our impact in the atmosphere? Several countries have signed the KYOTO PROTOCOL, here the government commits as a country to reduce their levels of greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels. A great effort is going to be required by the industry, businesses and all the citizens of those countries. This international protocol is an important step to save the planet and protect our future generations.

In this document you will find suggestions of what you can do at home and mainly in your weekend and holiday trips. The Kyoto Protocol does not consider airplane emissions which are a main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Every time you travel by plane you must remember the impact is greater.

All together working for a better world.
"Bridging Worlds. Bridging Dreams."

 

The Earth's ATMOSPHERE can be compared to the skin of our bodies. It protect us, regulates our body heat, and permits the controlled passage of substances between the body and the environment. It is a sort of life shield, like our skin, is vulnerable to damage.

The GREENHOUSE EFFECT works because some gases in the atmosphere allow sunlight through to heat the surface of the planet, but trap the warmth that radiates back into space.

GREENHOUSE GASES
Gas
Source
Carbon Dioxide CO2
  • Fossil fuel combustion.
  • Deforestation.
  • Changing land use.
  • Biomass burning (burning firewood).
  • Erosion.
Methane CH4
  • Enteric fermentation in cattle and insects.
  • Biomass burning and waste burial (landfills).
  • Coal mines and gas leaks.
  • Rice paddies.
  • Swamps and tundras.
CFCs
  • Aerosols.
  • Refrigeration.
  • Air conditioning.
  • Plastic foams.
  • Solvents for the computer industry.
  • Sterilants for medical supplies.
Nitrous Oxide N2O
  • Fertiliser use.
  • Fossil fuel combustion.
  • Biomass burning.
  • Changing land use.
Ozone O3
  • Car fumes.
       
         
     
Responsible Travel
  
     

 

Each stage of our travels from the planning to seeing the photos when we are back home has an impact on the environment. If we know what these impacts and the actions we can take to reduce them we can modify our behaviour to make our trips more enjoyable and environmentally-friendly.

The main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions are driving cars, the production of electricity (so everytime you switch on the light you are producing indirectly greenhouse gases), and farming. So always remember these contributors when traveling.

The following suggestions are just some of the many things you can do to reduce your impact in the environment be creative and think of more suggestions. If you come with great ideas write to us.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP:

When searching for information of the places you want to visit use the internet to reduce your paper usage, and only print what is necessary on your actual travel.

If you visit a travel agency only take the leaflets and booklets that you will actually use. When disposing of brochures make sure they are recycled.

Involve all your family in the planning process and discuss what you can do to reduce your impact on the environment.

Pack for the weather conditions expected at the destination; take warm clothes to reduce the use of heating or light clothes to avoid the use of air-conditioning.

Take a digital camera so you avoid photo chemical processing on your return.

When leaving home make sure the gas is disconnected (check for gas leaks), all unnecessary lights and electrical appliances and heating or air-conditioning equipment are turned off.

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TRAVEL TO DESTINATION:

Any mode of transport burns fossil fuel such as petrol. If you use your own car the impact is greater than if you use public transport, because the emission of gases is divided by all passengers. So try to use public transport.

When using a car or plane click here to see how many trees you will need to plant to absorbe all the carbon dioxide you will produce on your travel. Planting trees creates carbon sinks which are a natural reservoir for a substance such as a greenhouse gas which effectively removes it from the atmosphere. Growing forests are natural carbon sinks.

Avoid turning on the air-conditioning of your car, it is better to just to open the window.

When travelling by car one normally takes snacks, prepare them at home and avoid chips and sweets which produce a lot of rubbish from packaging to be disposed in landfills.

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ON-SITE:

The type of accomodation determines the amount of energy used per person, per night. So if you stay at:

  • Hotel room, you will use 155 MJ*
  • B&B's, you will use 110 MJ
  • Backpackers hostel, you will use 39 MJ
  • Motels, you will use 32 MJ
  • Camping grounds, you will use 25 MJ.

*MJ means megajoules which is an energy measurement such as calories o kilowatts per hour.

Now that you are in your destination try using public transport. As explained before it is better than using your car.

Try avoiding air-condtioning and heating whenever possible.

Ask hotels not to change your room towels and bed linen everyday, that saves water and energy.

Always turn off the lights of your room when leaving.

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TRAVEL BACK HOME:

The same suggestions apply as "Travel to Destination".

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REMEMBERING:

Gathering with friends and family to share your travels can be as fun, and sometimes more, than your actual travel experience. Sharing stories, encounters, conversations, thoughts and photographs are an integral part of traveling.

If you took a digital camera it is better that to use chemical processing which uses energy and plastic materials. With digital cameras you can see the photos on your computer, share them through email, create a photo album online and print only the very best photographs.

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Recommended Links>>>

<http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk>

http://www.ibike.org/travelcode.htm

<http://www.rethinkingtourism.org>

<http://www.travelmole.com/index.html>

http://www.futureforests.com

http://www.climatechange.govt.nz

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