Title – Wish you were here? Well, we’re not allowing you in
Source – Metro
Date – 22nd September 2006
The world is shrinking, getting to remote and beautiful locations is getting easier and easier, but these areas are starting to suffer as a result and many will disappear or be damaged beyond recognition. Unless their protection is stepped up and the industrialised nations of the world take note and start to realise that not only are these beautiful and unique environments threatened by climate change, but our own countries are as well, the situation is likely to deteriorate to the point where the road back may be all but impossible.
Reports of half of London being under water in the future due to rising water levels are not uncommon, consider then that the Maldives will disappear completely if the same scenario is used in that area of the world and we can all start to easily understand that this is one of the worlds most pertinent and urgent issues.
But there are other elements that are having a devastating effect as well. The advent of low cost airlines has made the whole airline industry reconsider its business strategy. Airfares are cheaper then ever and the world is accessible to many people especially in the heavily polluting developed world. I recently purchased a return ticket to Bangkok from London on one of the worlds most respected airlines for £250 including taxes. These are the same prices we used to have to pay for a return trip from London to Brussels. Not only does this mean that the pollution from airlines has risen dramatically, it also means that fragile areas of the world are experiencing dramatic increases in visitor numbers.
According to this article Goa in India and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia receive 2 million visitors a year, the tiny island of the Taj Coral Reef in The Maldives sees an incredible half a million visitors a year and this is an island you can walk round in less then 30 minutes.
We all have a responsibility to act conscientiously when we travel. International travel is here to stay and airlines are not going away, they are one of man’s incredible inventions and the advantage they give us should not be underestimated. But the harm they create can also not be ignored and as individuals we can put back some of what we take away when we fly. Until governments wake up and apply 'green taxes' to air fares (provided those taxes are actually used to reduce pollutants in other areas and encourage the development of more environmentally friendly energy sources) we all have to consider ways we can reduce the impact we have on the environments we live in and visit.
We are dedicated to providing information as part of our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshops, not only to allow individuals to travel more safely and to be better prepared for their adventures, but also how they can have a positive impact on the areas they visit, both while they are there and when they return home. We believe that although the very aircraft that people use to travel are one of the key factors in climate change and other related environmental impacts, there are ways your experience can ultimately be a positive one for you, your hosts and the environment.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.
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