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Earth and climate scientists
agree that humanity has only this century (some think only one decade)
to prevent a run-away global warming. When the run-away warming begins
there will be nothing humanity can do to stop the chaotic weather. Climate
change has become a global issue and has risen to the top of some nations
political agenda.
The eco-industry is one
of the fastest growing industries today, and this includes eco-tourism.
The tourism industry in east Africa is predominantly from Europe and
the United States, where there is a fast increasing awareness of eco-travel.
Tour operators in east Africa are mostly eco-touristic in the sense
that tourists are taken on environmental safaris.
- True eco-tourism
companies should have a genuin aim to accomplish the following criteria:
Neutral greenhouse gas emmisions by planting trees & no
CFC use (non-CFC refrigeration gases are available).
Low social & environmental impact (an ESIA or Environmental &
Social audit should be done for each location).
Support the local community & environment (education, sustainable
community projects and environmental conservation).
Low energy & water consumption (increase efficiency of electric
appliances, fuel efficient vehicles, awareness of water wastage).
Re-cylcling of all waste products (organic matter should be composted,
non-organic should be re-cycled as much as possible).
Source localy, as much as possible (by purchasing localy, you support
the local economy and you reduce transport pollution).
- The company should
aim to be non-consumptive! (Wildlife should not be a commodity
for hunting, they are far more valuable alive).
If you are a company
that attenpts this philosophy, then you deserve to be included in the
global network of green companies, so that you can enjoy the expanding
eco-tourism market and marketing through eco-travel agencies and eco
web sites, such as ecoTZ.com.
You may choose this philosophy
for your consience or for the consience of the traveller, but ultimately
this philosophy will help balance our global environment for our next
generation and for the wildlife that have no say, but have the right
to a stable future.
You have the choice to
do something! Grow trees!
We can grow trees to compensate
for our consumption, and due to our fortunate placing on the planet,
in the tropics where plant life grows rapidly. Trees in the tropics
absorb carbon dioxide at a fast rate of about 20kg per year, or 1 ton
carbon dioxide absorbed over 50 years of growth.
1 ton of carbon dioxide
on the international carbon market is calibrated at 1 carbon credit.
Are
you in the red or green?
Carbon
Off-Setting
- Calculate your carbon debt using
the below values calculated from current literature:
5000kW/h of Tanesco electricity pollutes 1 ton of carbon dioxide.
400L of fuel combustion pollutes 1 ton of carbon dioxide.
5000km air travel pollutes 1 ton carbon dioxide.
1 ton of cement manufacture pollutes 1 ton of carbon dioxide.
1 ton vehicle manufacture pollutes 1 ton carbon dioxide.
Infrastructure (cement &
vehicles)
Yearly energy consumption (electricity & fuel)
Yearly flights (business/personal & tourist travel)
Infrastructure is calculated
once only while flights and energy consumption are yearly.
For a relatively new company the carbon dept should be calculated from
the start, while old companies should perhaps calculate from the last
five years.
To off-set your carbon dept
you can plant trees that suite your environment keeping in mind that
indiginous trees are best for a healthy eco-system. You need to estimate
the growth period of the trees to be planted. The longer the better
for both carbon dioxide absorbtion and for a healthier eco-system and
its inhabitants.
- Trees create carbon credits over
time.
A 100 year tree absorbs 2 tons carbon dioxide. 2 carbon credits.
A 50 year tree absorbs 1 ton carbon dioxide. 1 carbon credit.
A 25 year tree absorbs 0.5 ton carbon dioxide. (2 trees per carbon
credit).
A 10 year tree absorbs 0.2 ton carbon dioxide. (5 trees per carbon
credit).
A 5 year tree absorbs 0.1 ton carbon dioxide. (10 trees per carbon
credit).
Trees that are used for
fire wood cannot be counted for carbon off-setting.
Trees can be harvested for building material and replaced with saplings.
In-order to compensate for all your pollutants and un-accounted
for consumption, it would be best to at least, double the number of
trees to be planted.
You
will be green, if you plant more than you consume!
Written by: Timothy Leach
(B.Sc.) Tim@ecoTZ.com
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