carbonneutraltourism.co.uk

Clipper Windpower which works in the field of wind energy technology has recently attracted investment from One Equity Partners (JP Morgan Chase’s private equity arm).  Source: LSE

A new interactive experience ‘The Science of Survival’ at the Science Museum has opened.   The Science of Survival explores how our lives could be affected by changing climate and resource availability and how new applications of science and technology could affect how we live by 2050.  

The Science of Survival was developed in consultation with scientists and researchers across the UK, such as Dr Tim Wheeler of the Walker Institute for Climate System Research at the University of Reading, and Jacob Tompkins, hydrogeologist and Director of Waterwise.

Visitor use an RFID tracking system to interact with games and design activities. Visitors have an opportunity to apply science and technology to real life problems in a playful, hands-on way.  

You can find out more here.

Mark Smith the Man in Seat 61 has an article in the Guardian which looks at how to do five luxury rail journies cost effectively.

“The We Campaign is a project of The Alliance for Climate Protection — a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate former Vice President Al Gore. Our ultimate aim is to halt global warming.” Find out more here.

The Solar Eco Cabins and Interpretive Centre at Hidden Valley Cabins are an inspiration for the tourist industry and the community to follow, Stephen Pahl CEO of Ecotourism Australia said today.

“Hidden Valley Cabins is Australia’s first fully carbon neutral resort and tour business, and they have recently achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification,” said Stephen.

“The official opening of the Solar Eco Cabins on 4 April is the culmination of the McLennan family’s commitment to environmental improvement over more than 20 years and they have achieved a model that should inspire the rest of the tourist industry and anyone interested in ways to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Visitors to Hidden Valley Cabins now not only enjoy a relaxing stay and awe-inspiring tours in the spectacular and pristine natural environment north of Townsville but can also visit the new Interpretative Centre that explains more about the solar technology used to power the resort.

Hidden Valley Cabins operations manager Ross McLennan said their carbon neutral milestone is another important step in the journey they began 22 years ago.

“Hidden Valley is not on grid power and, over the years, we have developed ways to decrease our reliance on generator power while making sure our guests enjoy all the comfort and facilities they need,” Ross said.

“Now, we are generating all of our own renewable energy and have saved 78 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

“For the carbon emissions we cannot yet eradicate – such as those of deliveries to the resort and tour buses – we are buying carbon offsets,” Ross said.

On Friday 4 April, over 80 guests, including Brian Cuthine CEO Townsville City Council, Ben Callcot Mayor of Charter Towers and Shane Knuth MP Member for Charters Towers, visited the resort northwest of Townsville near Running River on the western slope of the Coastal Range in North Queensland. They celebrated the official opening and toured the Interpretative Centre.

Ecotourism Australia’s Stephen Pahl said other businesses, both within the tourist industry and beyond, must take up the challenge to reduce their emissions.

“I urge anyone responsible for a business to combine an unforgettable few days at this magnificent Queensland destination with a fact-finding mission to see how renewable energy can power all the essentials for comfort,” Stephen said.

“Ecotourism Australia’s world-leading ecotourism accreditation system has been challenging our industry to achieve measurable environmental results since it began 11 years ago and the ecotourism industry now has an important role in showcasing its solutions to the broader community.

“We congratulate Hidden Valley Cabins on their achievement and on opening a window for others to see how it’s done,” Stephen said.

Ecotourism Australia is the peak national body for the ecotourism industry in Australia. It aims to grow and promote ecotourism and to assist tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible.

It is a non-profit organisation with membership that includes tour operators, ecotourism accommodation, tourism planners, protected area managers, academics and students, regional tourism associations and travellers.

Ecotourism Australia’s certification program is a world first. It provides objective monitoring and auditing of organisations’ ecotourism claims and provides travel agents and tourists with an assurance of best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and quality ecotourism experiences.

24th – 26th June 2008

Tourism South East (TSE), supported by the Kent Tourism Alliance (KTA), is working with the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts travel arm, Wildlife Travel, to develop a pilot wildlife short break in the region. The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is part of the area used by TSE to test a series of wildlife short breaks showcasing the south east’s richness and diversity of flora and fauna. The first break in Kent is scheduled for 24th – 26th June.

“Wild Flowers of the Kent Downs” has been designed by Ros Bennet with the Kent Wildlife Trust. This wildlife experience will centre on the wild flowers, and in particular the orchids, of the Kent Downs whose warm south-facing slopes are amongst the richest habitats in Britain. Ros will lead the trip which will involve visits to nature reserves such as Downe Bank, where Darwin developed his theories on the evolution of species by natural selection.

Visitors will stay at the Dog and Bear in Lenham.

The Project
Interest in UK wildlife has grown enormously in recent years, largely fuelled by an increase in wildlife programmes. The likes of Bill Oddie, Johnny Kingdom and Ray Mears have brought our natural world, via the television screen, into the living room and helped to inspire and improve awareness of our wildlife amongst an increasingly urban society.

Despite this, much of the UK has been slow to explore the potential of wildlife tourism. The majority of wildlife based activities are available for locals, taken advantage of by visitors if they happen to be staying in the area. Yet there is significant potential demand for visitors to take a wildlife themed break if there is the opportunity to experience wildlife that they would not normally see.

Accommodation providers stand to benefit from additional business and from the relatively high spend market sector able to visit outside the traditional high season. Each establishment participating in the pilot must be prepared to promote at least three wildlife breaks at times to suit their business requirements. The intention is that, where successful, the breaks will continue on an on-going basis.

The anticipated benefits to the Wildlife Trusts not only include increased membership from the accommodation providers, but also a direct financial contribution from each break taken.

The South East region will benefit from the increased viability and sustainability of its rural tourism businesses and will position itself as a wildlife rich region on the fringes of the capital and Northern Europe.

Online Entries Accepted Until April 16th

WASHINGTON (March April 3, 2008) — The National Geographic Society and Ashoka’s Changemakers are inviting geotourism innovators to enter a global online collaborative competition. The Geotourism Challenge: Celebrating Places, Changing Lives recognizes entrepreneurs that aim to sustain or enhance the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.

The challenge is accepting entries until April 16, 2008. Everyone is invited to review and discuss applications and help innovators refine their ideas. The finalists of the competition will have the opportunity to present their innovations at a Geotourism Challenge Summit and three winners will receive $5,000 each.

The competition includes a unique nomination process where travelers worldwide are invited to submit their favorite example of geotourism at www.changemakers.net/competition/geotourism

More than 95 innovations from 46 countries have already been submitted. For example, 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking employs Nepalese women to become adventure professionals. Blue Ventures brings groups of paying volunteers to supply the man power needed to protect threatened marine resources in Madagascar. In the U.S., The Rolling Rains Report increases access to tourism for people with disabilities.

“Tourism can be a positive force to help alleviate poverty, educate the public, and motivate preservation and conservation of cultural, natural and historic resources. When done poorly, tourism fails to provide local benefits and may destroy the distinctive assets of a destination. This Geotourism Challenge invites transparent discussion about ways to manage tourism better,” said Jonathan B. Tourtellot, director of National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations (CSD). “The Challenge will recognize effective innovations that can be replicated elsewhere. It’s a catalyst to seek ways to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy and experience great destinations.”

The Geotourism Challenge is the first of three annual collaborative competitions in partnership with Ashoka’s Changemakers. “Ashoka’s vision is to build an ‘Everyone a Changemaker’ world,” said Bill Drayton, Ashoka’s founder and CEO. “National Geographic’s commitment will ensure geotourism innovators, decision-makers and enthusiasts can gather together to inspire a global community to care and to act.”

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

Ashoka’s Changemakers is building an “open source” online community that competes to surface the best social solutions to the world’s most pressing issues. To date, Changemakers has attracted more than 2,000 solutions from more than 125 countries. www.changemakers.net.

Ashoka is the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs - creating a world of change by building an Everyone a ChangemakerTM society. Visit www.ashoka.org.

The Times have launched the 2008 Green Space Travel awards where you can nominate your favaourite green place!