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Ecotourism

So you want to see the world, but you worry that the flight alone will cause more damage to the planet than you’re comfortable with these days.

Welcome to ecotourism, a way to travel guilt-free by reducing your impact on the environment, supporting local economies and investing in travel and adventure outfits that do the same.

Ecotourism seeks to educate travelers about responsible stewardship of the environment and the importance of cultural and biodiversity. Unfortunately, there are no universal criteria for ecotourism, so outfits that refer to themselves as sustainable or environmentally friendly might be doing little more than cashing in on a new trend. That’s why it’s important for travelers to ask a lot of questions from the outfits they hire, to ensure the group shares the values and practices you expect.

Ecotourism practices range from providing carbon credits (to offset those airline flights) to hotels that reuse towels and sheets for guests who stay more than one night, rather than washing linens on a daily basis. Hotels that go a step further may use wastewater to irrigate lawns and gardens and encourage guests to walk or use public transportation to see the local sites.

Ecotourism outfits should support the local economy by hiring local staff, using local products and promoting local goods and services. Many also give to local charities, such as helping to build schools. They should promote responsible touring practices that don’t harm the environment or local wildlife. And they should educate tourists about how to live sustainably.

To learn more about ecotourism, please click here.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org