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Eco Tourism

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