Climate Change Green-house gases in our

Climate Change • • Green-house gases in our atmosphere = > average temperature of the Earth is 14. 6 °C CO 2 in the atmosphere: 275 ppm to 375 ppm since the beginning of the industrial revolution = > average temperature increased 1 °C (last 50 years) The problem: the pace of the increase – Extreme meteorological events Climate Change – Global Warming – loose some of Earth’s natural habitats – extinction of species – rising sea levels – melting polar ice Regardless of the source of these contributing CO 2 emissions the effect is one we share globally. As a result reducing these contributing emissions is also a responsibility that we share and must achieve globally. What’s your carbon footprint?

Green terms Recycled, Recyclable Post-consumer Tree Free, Vegetable-based ink Process Chlorine Free (PCF) Forest Stewardship Council- or Sustainable Forestry Initiative-certified Sustainability Eco-tourism

Possible Scenarios • • • . . more days in eastern Mediterranean resorts when the temperature exceeds 40 degrees C. . thinner cloud cover in Australia, meaning a higher sunburn and skin cancer risk. . re-emergence of malaria in Spain. . less snowfall and shorter skiing seasons in the Alps. . damage to coral reefs, and rising sea levels. . new pressures on the wild animals and plants that tourists want to see, and on the places where they live (Worldwide Fund for Nature research) Austria • Disappearing glaciers • Ski centers rising with 1000 m • Infrastructural change in tourism Greece • Summer temperature rising to about 50 degrees C • Tourist season: spring and autumn • Siesta becomes longer • Islands disappearing by the rise of the sea level

How to Improve – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle • • • Waste Management Water Management Energy efficiency Airlines (soft landing, bio fuel) Towel & linen program Paperless Meetings Local and organic food, composting Recycled hotel soaps Food donation Biodegradable products Carbon Offsetting

Eco-friendly Hotel Chains • Fairmont Hotels&Resorts: Green Partnership, Eco-Meet • Four Seasons Hotels&Resorts: Energy Smart Award (Singapore) • Hilton Hotels Corp. : Conserve to Preserve Program • Hyatt Hotels Corp. : Vice President, Environmental Affairs • Marriott International: Environmentally Conscious Hotel Operations Program, member of EPA’s Climate Leaders Prog. • The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. : Give Back Getaways Program • Starwood Hotels&Resorts Worldwide: See Green, parking for hybric cars, LEED Certified buildings • Walt Disney Parks&Resorts: Environmentality Program since 1990 • Taxes to be payed based on the facility’s environmental footprint?

Transportation Aviation contributes to 12% of carbon emissions within the transportation sector — and 2. 65% globally • Biofuel • Soft Landing • Easier equipment on board • Air Transport Action Group: http: //www. atag. org/content/showsustainaviation. asp? lev el 1=7&folderid=730&pageid=0 In the cities • Public Transportation • Pedi. Cab, etc

Carbon Offsetting • • Individual purchase of carbon offsets – In 2006, about $91 million of carbon offsets were purchased in the voluntary market, representing about 24 million metric tons of CO 2 e reductions Offsets are typically achieved through financial support of projects that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the short- or long-term. – renewable energy, such as wind farms, biomass energy, or hydroelectric dams. – energy efficiency projects, – destruction of industrial pollutants or agricultural byproducts, – destruction of landfill methane, – and forestry projects

Greenwashing The hotel industry's practice of placing green placards in each room, promoting reuse of guest-towels, ostensibly to "save the environment" CHOICE: in Australia offers a chance to report greenwash claims. www. choice. com. au

How to become an eco-friendly tourist? „Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints. ” Greater sustainability of the tourism product i. e. more regional products, less noise and emissions, less waste and unpurified sewage - means the creation of jobs and quality of life for the local population, and an improved quality of holidays for the guest. Sustainability and quality in tourism are two sides of the same coin.

Top ten eco-destinations Professional Travel Guide: • South America: Panama • Afrika: Madagascar • America: St John (US Virgin Islands) • Europe: Iceland • Asia: Laos Travelocity: • Buck Island Reef National Monument – St Croix, US Virgin Islands • Sea Turtle Watching in Rekawa – Rekawa, Sri Lanka • Napo Wildlife Center – Quito, Ecuador • Artisans D’Angkor Silk Farm – Siem Reap, Cambodia • Celestun Biosphere Reserve – Yucatan, Mexico • Rainforest Hike to Middleham Falls & Ti Tou Gorge with Ken’s Hinterland Adventure Tours – Dominica • Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge – Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska • Volcano Trekking at Gunung Batur – Gunung Batur, Bali • Strokkur Geyser – Geysir Center, Iceland • Canopy Tour – Quepos, Costa Rica

Small steps for us. . - Travel with environmentally responsible and recognized tour operators. - Try to use eco-friendly transportation options like biking, walking and taking public transit, rejecting those vehicles that emit carbon in large. - Give up the habit of air traveling, as it is the only reason why most of the travelers face the biggest environmental impacts. - If you fly, at least bring your own cup with you. - Try to find out what kind of re-cycling programs does the hotel share. - Check out what kind of program does the hotel follow to reduce non renewable energy consumption, like whether they include energy efficient lighting, low flow water supply, use of recycle energy etc. - Before leaving the room, try to turn off electric devices and keep taps shut when not in use.

Green Associations, Certifications and Systems • The International Ecotourism Society (TIES): eco. Destinations www. ecotourism. org • Green Meetings Industry Council www. greenmeetings. info • Travelife Sustainability System – not a new ‘eco-label’ www. its 4 travel. com • STEP: Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program™ www. sustainabletravel. com • Green Key www. green-key. org • Green Globe www. greenglobeint. com

Useful Websites • • • • www. greenlodgingnews. com www. greentourism. org. uk/ www. responsibletravel. com/ www. eco-tip. org/ www. tourism-futures. org www. ipcc. ch/ipccreports/assessments-reports. htm www. climateark. org/ www. sustainablemeetingsportal. com/ www. wwf. org www. nature. org www. sustainabletravelinternational. org/ www. visit 21. net/ www. green-business. co. uk/ sustainablemeetingsportal. com/

Thank you for your kind attention! Questions/Comments?