Sustainable Travel

Global Warming. Acid Rain. Melting Glaciers. Ozone Layer Depletion.

Just writing these things makes my stomach churn. They seem so daunting, overwhelming, threatening…the problems are so huge, how can I make any difference?

Actually, it is pretty easy. As the saying goes “every little bit helps”. So here are 5 little things you or your household can do to help make our planet a wee bit greener:

RECYCLE. Yes, we all dump our newspapers in those big blue bins. But there are lots of other things you can make an effort to recycle – for instance, batteries. Battery recycling programs keep all the nasty components in one place, preventing toxins from leeching into our air and waterways. From lithium to lead, many battery components, including plastic casing, can be recovered and reused. Many companies will accept used batteries so they don’t end up in our landfills. Some in our area are: Radio Shack, Staples and Home Depot.

LESS PACKAGING. By choosing daily staples that are packaged in recyclable or reusable materials, you are making an effort towards lightening your eco-footprint. Skip items that are packaged excessively in plastic. Put the paper components in the recycle bin. Buy food items in bulk stores like Henrys. I scoop up a big bag of oatmeal and make my own portions rather than buying the pre-packaged little servings (which I might add are full of chemicals!).

PAPER PLEASE. I’m sure you have heard it before, but ask for paper grocery bags rather than plastic ones that take millions of years to biodegrade. Plastic bags are going to outlive us all and clog up our landfills. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods give you the option. If your store doesn’t, ask the manager – perhaps if more of us asked, we might have more choices. Better yet, bring your own canvas bags that can be used over and over again. And don’t forget to recycle the paper bags once you have unpacked everything.

TUCK IN YOUR WATER HEATER. Yep, putting a nice, cozy blanket on your water heater can save energy and money. The water in the tank will stay hotter longer and you will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat those long showers. Insulating water heater blankets can be bought at any home improvement store for around $20. When properly installed, it will pay for itself in saved energy within one year! Another tip – check the temperature on your heater. A setting of 120 degrees rather than the pre-set of 140 will reduce energy consumption and the risk of scalds from overheated water.

COVER UP YOUR FOOTPRINTS. Eco-footprint, that is. I’m not about to give up my car, my plane travel or using my heater. I’d love to ride my bike to work but somehow the idea of pedaling down the 805 every morning doesn’t seem likely! However, there is a way to offset (often called “green tags”) harmful activities by contributing to organizations that channel funds directly to carbon-reducing projects.

You can use the “carbon footprint calculator” at Native Energy to figure out the dollar amount to contribute to make up for your emissions. There are links on their site to make your contribution. My-Climate is also a great site for information and contributions.

The last time I traveled to Toronto, I felt much better about all that jet fuel I helped burn by offsetting my 4000+ miles (return trip) for around $30. And if that isn’t an option for you, plant a tree in your yard!

With all this talk of conscious consumerism, you may be wondering why we print our newsletters. The RPCC would love to make the Reporter an online-only information source. We wouldn’t have to deliver them! However, we have many neighbors that don’t have access to a computer. So for now, you will still be receiving your monthly news the old fashioned way. Of course, you can always read past issues.

And if you are wondering where I get all my eco-knowledge, I am helped greatly by a wonderful web site: The Ideal Bite. You sign up for their emails and you get a daily bite (tip) sent to you. The writing is witty and the information very useful. Check out their blog (discuss this tip) on the left – hilarious dialogues from the writers about greening their lives.

Posted by BrianM at 8:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Continued from Sustainable Travel International's February Sustainable Travel Report

Testimonials

Below are 2 testimonies from visitors who have positively experienced community tourism at work in Jamaica.

Thank you for giving me such a wonderful and authentic Jamaican experience... Few hosts will welcome a stranger as family and even include them in birthday parties and family celebrations... The Jamaican culture is so real and active... the Jamaican beaches are a paradise... the land within is diverse and holds so many treasures left unturned by most visitors... safety, service, orientation, and accommodation... you were aware and consistently met my needs in all these areas... Countrystyle Tourism provided for and exceeded my expectations of how one can learn about a unique community and country... I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been part of the Countrystyle Tourism experience and family - Ethan - Cornell University

At the Astra Country Inn, we met Jefferson, a wonderful example of the high level of training received at the Countrystyle Community Tourism Training College... Jefferson took us under his wing and looked after us as if we were staying in the royal suite at the London Ritz... Diana McIntyre-Pike's Astra Country Inn is an example of the wonderful & most extraordinarily open kindness and hospitality we were given everywhere we went... Professionally, no-one could do more in the interest of tourism to Jamaica in such a unique way as 'Countrystyle Community Tourism... Diana arranged our drive to Treasure Beach... after a few days we felt like Treasure Beach Nationals... I have traveled the world and stayed in many countries but have never felt so at home as in Jamaica in all my life... There is so much yet to see, especially the rest of Jamaica's surviving history. Jamaica is a place of great historical importance - Elizabeth - Australia

Empowering Our Local Communities

Countrystyle’s main objective is to empower local communities, so that the communities are able to help themselves. They accomplish this by (1) providing training, and (2) funding to these communities for community development purposes.

Sustainable Development Foundation Community Tourism (SCF)

The Sustainable Communities Foundation [SCF], through Tourism promotes a program of Sustainable Community Tourism Development [SCTD], in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including Countrystyle Community Tourism Network. They focus on the communities of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

The program revolves around three (3) central themes: ecology, community and tourism, uniting the concepts of social development and ecological sustainability.

Community Tourism at Work in Jamaica

In central and southwest Jamaica, communities are actively participating in the economic, environmental, social and political processes that result in sustainable development leading to an improved quality of life for themselves and future generations.

SCF Mission

The mission of SCF is to create an effective process to empower communities to be an integral part of the tourism process by providing a mechanism by which they can prepare themselves according to the philosophy of sustainable development and to allow them to realise their visions in their own environment.

SCF Objectives

Economic: To create sustainable economic opportunities, especially related to alternate & community tourism for residents as the basis for economic self-sufficiency

Environmental: To conserve the uniqueness of the Jamaica’s central and southern region’s natural and built environment for future generations while optimising its contribution to sustaining local communities and the overall development of the area

Social: To engender a vital civic spirit which is nurtured by innovative processes and is a source of strength and hope to residents in helping them to achieve their basic needs with a sense of equity and respect

Good Governance: To facilitate broad participation by all segments of the community in collaboration to ensure that relevant programs are designed and resources used in an efficient co-ordinated manner

SCF and Countrystyle Community Tourism Consultants

Countrystyle Community Tourism Consultants are contracted to provide management input to the SCF. Financing for the SCF is generated from membership fees, project development and management fees and contributions from visitors on vacation through the Countrystyle Community Experience packages. Donations are also made in kind from visitors where they pick a project while on vacation. There is great interest in the SCF’s projects.

It takes cash to care for these communities

One of the greatest challenges in successfully partnering with communities in their development needs is to provide access to a cheap source of funds to assist these communities in their development needs.

Developing a Sustainable Community Tourism Project Development Fund

The Sustainable Communities Foundation (SCF), in collaboration with Countrystyle Community Tourism Network, has developed a Sustainable Community Tourism Project Development Fund to assist these communities in meeting their development needs.

We need investment in these communities through our community tourism project development fund initiative. Donors, investors and financial assistance will only serve to improve this worthwhile, tried, tested and proven successful Community Tourism ongoing initiative.

How to contact us?

Please direct all questions, donations and financial assistance to the Sustainable Community Tourism Project Development Fund:

Attention: Mark Byles - Project Leader
Sustainable Community Tourism Project Development Fund
THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION (SCF)
Tel: 1-877-722-8522 / 416-733-9604, x32
Email: mgbyles@yahoo.com

Posted by BrianM at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The 16 day Desert Royale deluxe and luxurious tour incorporates luxury, adventure, history, culture and wildlife.

From the fascinating painted mansions of Shekhawati District in northern Rajasthan to the romance of the pink city at Jaipur, the tour weaves a route that is enchanting, yet mystical. Forts and Palaces of an ancient heritage are visited showcasing their culture, arts, music, wildlife, along central and southern Rajasthan.

We visit NGO’s, race along sand dunes on jeeps and tribal homes; the protectors of wildlife and nature. We also visit a World Heritage site that has found mention even in the ancient Mahabharata scriptures and when it coincides with a festival, we walk with the Rabari tribals.

We experience the luxury of a camp stay atop a sand dune, and then hike along the 15th century fort, Kumbalgarh, one of the best examples of defensive architecture, also a panther sanctuary.

After a romance in the City of Sunrise, we move on to the land of Lord Brahma, where peace and spirituality coexist.

This is a small piece of our “Incredible India” !!

IBEX EXPEDITIONS – Winner of PATA Gold Award, PATA Discovery Award, Green Globe Distinction Award, World Travel Market Environment award, Ministry of Tourism (India) Award of Excellence.

Ibex Expeditions Private Limited
Eco tours, Adventure Journeys, Cultural Holidays, Luxury & Safari Travel in India
G 66 East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065. INDIA
Tel: 91 11 2691 2641, 2682 8479, 2691 7829
Fax: 91 11 26846403

E-mail: ibex@nde.vsnl.net.in or mandipsinghsoin@hotmail.com
Website: www.ibexexpeditions.com

25 years of responsible tourism in the Indian subcontinent !

Posted by BrianM at 7:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our Civil Association was born on April 3rd, 2004 in an effort to save the ecologically essential mangrove forest region and dune area of the El Mogote Peninsula in the Bay of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has since grown to include the entire Bay (one of the Great Bays of the world) and the Gulf of California/Mar de Cortez beyond, the most bio-diverse body of water on earth.

The primary methods used have been the raising of public awareness and challenging ill thought out development on all levels via:

a) The media (to date we have accomplished having over 250 articles in the local and national press);
b) Educational public forums, of which we have successfully done 18 to date;
c) Creating and compiling scientific studies of the impacts of development, that are the most complete studies ever done on the region;
d) Outreach to groups worldwide and today our mailing lists are comprised of over 5,000 groups and networks, which by extension reach hundreds of thousands-millions worldwide;
e) Petition drives of local citizens which now comprise nearly 5,000 signatures, of which over 250 are post graduates, PhDs and Masters from the three leading Marine Biology Institutes in Latin America, e.g. The Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (U.A.B.C.S.), the Center for Biological Investigations Northwest (CIBNOR) and the Center for Marine Sciences (CICIMAR).
f) The establishing of an official Civil Association, Ciudadanos Procupados A.C. whose Board of Directors is comprised of 13 members, all from the universities cited in section f; and several dozen active members involved with various aspects of our endeavours. As well as a group bank account requiring the signatures of the Board President and one of three Board Members appointed for that purpose.
g) Photographing and creating videos (5 to date) of our actions and many of the species affected, of which several are on the endangered species list and/or on the verge of extinction (including a species of crab here-to-fore unknown).
h) Geological studies of affected regions and the natural phenomena which can affect them, e.g. hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, drought, winds and tides.
i) The establishing of legal teams to address the various issues involved and to date three teams are participants, with the Mexican Center for Environmental Rights (CEMDA www.cemda.org.mx) being the Ciudadanos Preocupados A.C.s’ primary attorney group.
j) Environmental clean-up programs for the beaches and mangrove areas in the Bay of La Paz region.
k) Filing suits regarding the issues of development in ecologically sensitive areas, which today includes cases involving the five States surrounding the Gulf of California/Mar de Cortez.
l) Petitioning the Mexican National Senate to establish Nationally Natural Protected Areas in the zones in question.
m) Setting into motion a Presidential Investigation into the corruption and fraud issues involved with development projects.
n) Encouraging Greenpeace Mexico and Oceano (the Greenpeace Ocean Waters division) to become more active in the region, which has resulted in its’ ship the Arctic Sunrise being on station here for three months (Nov. 2004-Jan, 2005), with plans to station a ship permanently for the Gulf of California by the end of this year (2006).
o) Group members working with other organizations such as Seawatch to produce a documentary aired on the local T.V. news regarding illegal fishing and the results where the monofilament netting ensnares sea lions and other marine life, often attached around the necks of the young so that as they grow they are choked to death and/or cannot swallow food becoming subjects to starvation.
p) One of our Board of Directors serves as the director of the Amigos de Cabo Pulmo, which oversees the National Marine Park there, one of only four coral reef systems in North America; along with other relations being established with Propeninsula, the assessor group for Amigos de Cabo Pulmo.
q) Working with other Civil Associations in the States of Baja California Sur. Baja California Norte, Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit toward a broader strategy to address the issues in North-western Mexico, with an emphasis on the Gulf of California Bio-Region.
r) Obtaining seed funding, for which Global Green Grants, I.F.A.W. and The Norcross Wildlife Foundation have contributed.
s) Establishing a complete office, with three workstations, which we have maintained since Dec. 2004.
t) Examining and planning to put into place a project to protect the fresh water sources originating in the Sierra de Laguna, a National and UNESCO World Heritage Bio-Reserve that supplies 60% of the fresh water needs for this State. The primary threats being mining and agriculture, using toxic substances.
u) Establishing projects/excursions that have taken local citizens into environmentally threatened areas so that they see first hand the ecologically essential wonders that must be protected for the health of the Bay and Sea beyond. For this we have utilized kayaks, catamarans and pangas (24-26 ft. open, outboard powered, boats), which included professional guides, professors, post graduate students and environmentists to educate them as to the importance of the species and ecological & geological sensitivities of the areas.
v) Petitioning the State Congress of Baja California Sur to intervene in the sales and misuse of Public Lands by the ex-governor (which is a part of the Presidential Investigation as well).
w) We have enlisted political parties to make the issues of the environment, and ill thought out development projects, a more major part of their 2005 State-wide election campaigns, which of course further raised public awareness.
x) We are formulating plans for obtaining the Federal rights to research the primary mangrove regions of this area; too restore damaged areas; to replace/reforest the more than 50% of this areas mangrove forests that have been destroyed in the process of ill thought out city growth and commercial applications.
y) We have initiated criminal indictments against Federal Officials for violations of environmental laws and the Constitutional Rights retained by the people. This extends to five other States as well.
z) And currently we are endeavouring to obtain adequate funding to continue our work and expand its’ scope.

Besides the dedicated input from the grassroots membership and supporters, our outside funding has been limited to $7.000.00 (U.S. dollars) to date. That the incredible amount cited above has been accomplished demonstrates that Ciudadanos Preocupados A.C. is a truly grassroots effort that has been furthered by the genuine concern and support of the citizens of this immediate region and beyond. That grassroots represents a broad spectrum of the populous. Our petitions were completely random, outside of the few dozen actual participants/volunteers of the group, for signatures were gathered at events and locations frequented by the populous-at-large. Nearly 5,000 signatures have been obtained and the number of people not signing when presented with petitions equals approximately .50%. Our efforts to preserve the environment, and the culture of La Paz, obviously have the overwhelming support of the people as a whole.

That said, Mexico is still a “third world country” with a minimum wage in this region being less that $5.00 (U.S. dollars) per day. The La Paz region as a whole has an average income of approximately $26.00 per day. This does not allow people to have disposable income on the levels required to help fund the greatly expanded work of Ciudadanos Preocupados A.C. We have the people, an extremely well qualified core group of active volunteers and have accomplished all that set forth in the a-z segments above.

For more in depth information on Ciudadanos Preocupados A.C. please refer to our URL at: www.geocities.com/rainbow2004mexico. That site is a bit outdated and needs a lot of improvements, but gives a fair overview of our efforts, minus more recent developments, which have been included herein.

It is for this work that Ciudadanos Preocupados A.C. is now appealing to you all so that we may all continue the work cited; and expand that in proportion to our abilities and abundant non-financial resources outlined in this document. Not the least of which are our studies and legal actions which would have cost in the 7-8 figure range had an outside entity sought to finance such in depth studies, activities and actions.

Because of the overall scope of our efforts we are submitting Grant Proposals addressed to each aspect of the projects needs. The combined real needs cost factors to properly pursue each project/program involved and adequately fund them is to high for many/most funding sources. We would also like to greatly expand our network and by involving more diverse sources of funding that can be furthered.

For more informaton, please contact Rainbow Hawk.

Posted by BrianM at 4:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)