Early in the Neolithic age the ancient man
began to build roads to facilitate the movement of troops through empires, and
eventually civilians began to travel in caravans. Travel for the purpose of
commerce and trade began to develop as a consequence and took explorers to new
lands to meet other people and bring back treasures, foods, and fur. In
Medieval times traveling received a religious connotation when the most famous
travelers were pilgrims and missionaries, however, it took a long time for
people to start perceiving travelling as a leisure activity.
In the late 16th century it became fashionable among young
aristocrats and rich people to make "Grand Tours" to London, Paris,
Venice, Florence, and Rome in order to enlighten themselves and become closer to art, literature, and music. The Industrial Revolution facilitated the
growth of middle class, who now had money and free time. It was the first time that
traveling was done for the sole pleasure of it.
Thomas Cook, whose name is given to popular travel guides, was the first
to propose to the general public a real traveling solution. He began with
organizing tours across Britain then quickly moved to Europe, where Paris and the
Swiss Alps became the most popular destinations. He was a pioneer in travelling
services and now all large travel organizations base themselves on his ideas:
excursions, sightseeing, timetables, travel guides, and routes. 
In the 20th century, with the invention of the airplane, dramatic
changes happened in the way people travel. According to the Smithsonian Institution and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the
Wright Brothers made the first sustained, controlled flight in North Carolina on December 17, 1903.
Soon after, in June 16, 1909, Glenn Curtiss deliverd the Golden
Flier, the first commercially-sold airplane in America. World War II only enhanced the usage of
airplanes and made some of countries very experienced in airplane production. After the war, commercial aviation grew rapidly, using mostly ex-military aircraft to
transport people and cargo.
The way we travel now
Much
of our free time now is spent travelling, even on weekends, discovering new
destinations and gaining new experience. Incredible opportunities are available
to most individuals now; we can travel to different countries, even other
continents in just several hours. It
is estimated that approximately 4.5 million people travel by plane each day
meaning that roughly within a year this figure reaches 1643 million people. An amazing number! With the addition of
railway, cars, buses, and other means of transports the scope of our movements
is almost unimaginable.
The
increase in tourism worldwide is a trend that has enhanced the globalization
process and culture-sharing. Many travelers speak of the personal gains they
acquire through travel, returning to their homes more tolerant and open-minded.
While this trend is surely interesting and exciting, it poses a large challenge
for our planet. The more we travel, the
more traces we leave behind ourselves, and not all the time these traces are
really good.
Exploration's carbon footprint
The rapid growth of air travel in recent years
contributed to a significant increase in total pollution. In the European Union, greenhouse gas emissions from
aviation increased by 87% between 1990 and 2006. Like all human activities
involving burning, most forms of aviation release carbon dioxide (CO2) and
other greenhouse gases (GHG) into the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the
acceleration of global warming and (in the case of CO2) ocean acidification.
Achim Steiner, UN Under Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "Tourism, the world's biggest industry
is booming. By 2020, the number of international arrivals by air and by sea
could reach 1.6 billion annually. This growth brings the prospect of income and
economic development to countless tourist destinations in rich and poor
countries alike. The challenge is to manage this growth sustainably. Governments
have a key role to play, but so too do individuals and families when planning
and going on holiday".
"Many consumers are now making green domestic choices from sourcing
electricity from renewable sources and choosing eco-friendly investments up to
buying leaner and greener cars. Packing a Green Passport along with airline
tickets, the swimming costume and the sun lotion means tourists no longer need
to leave their green credentials at home but can make them part of the holiday
of a life-time," added Mr Steiner.
What is the Green
Passport Campaign?
The Green Passport Campaign is an initiative of the International Task
Force on Sustainable Tourism Development, firmly rooted in the move to
accelerate a global shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP)
that emerged from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in
Johannesburg in 2002. “The Green Passport
initiative, which to date has been introduced in Ecuador, Costa Rica, France's
Overseas Territories, and South Africa where 100,000 Green Passports where
distributed to visitors during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, provides a physical
passport-style document packed with advice and tips on how to make a holiday
more sustainable”.
Brazil recently joined the Green Passport initiative at
World Environment Day
(WED) on June 1st 2012 as the Government of Brazil and the UNEP committed
on changing the behavior of travelers and tourists within and outside the
country. With thousands
of people arriving in Rio for the Rio+20 Summit, followed by the FIFA World Cup
in 2014 and the summer Olympics in 2016, this initiative has come at a pivotal
time for Brazil.
How the Green
Passport can work for you
The Green Passport website
launched in order to support this initiative. There, tourists can search for
sustainably managed hotels, learn about the most environmentally-friendly form
of travel, and discover restaurants that source sustainably-produced
agricultural products and foods. Tourists will discover that traveling green is
not as hard as they imagined on the opposite it can be a lot of fun.
Here you would find some of the reasonable tips that one can find on the
green passport pages. Even a small change can make a difference and bring some
positive changes in your life:
When organizing your trip, make sure your money is well spent by choosing tour operators and hotel providers committed to sustainable tourism. Always ask questions about transport, accommodation, staff working conditions, waste treatment, and environmental protection policy. Not only will you be aware of the issues, you will also make the tour operators more concerned of these questions. Look for websites specializing in responsible traveling, ecotourism, or sustainable tourism (the Rainforest Alliance’s Eco-Index can be very helpful in this area).
When packing, try to think carefully about what you really need to take with you. Waste disposal systems in many countries are ill-equipped to deal with the increased pressures that tourism brings. A few simple measures can make an enormous difference to the effect you have on your destination. Where possible, remove the wrapping of packaged goods before you leave home, so that they are recycled at your own country.
Flying can be inexpensive but it is also the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. 'Slow Travel', similar to 'Slow Food', is a new trend evolving to encourage the use of more eco-friendly transportation services. For some, this is about spending more time at a destination, mingling with people, getting to know the local flora and fauna, taking long walks and exploring, instead of rushing from one glitzy tourist trap to another. It can also include choosing not to fly, taking the time to savor experiences and landscapes along the way.
If you fly, choose an airline that is committed to sustainable aviation. There are many ways that aircraft can reduce CO2 emissions, e.g. avoiding routes with stopovers (it is during takeoff and landing that the highest emissions occur). You can also help by staying longer once you’ve reached your destination.
Motorized travel is now the major source of pollution in the tourism sector: airplanes, 4X4 vehicles, coaches, and motorbikes are the most common means of transport. Some trips are particularly polluting. For instance, aircraft or helicopter flights over Kings Canyon in Australia sometimes last only a few minutes, but the noise generated and excessive fuel consumption have a devastating effect on the ecosystem. Conversely, a balloon flight over the MacDonnell Ranges, also in Australia, is an almost magical experience and is far more respectful of the environment. Be sure to research what you are planning and choose the best options for yourself and the planet.
When selecting your meals, try local food and specialties as often as possible. By eating locally produced and organic goods you will reduce the CO2 emissions from transport and pesticides as well as help local farmers and the local economy. Learn more about the impacts of your food choices by visiting sustainabletable.org.
Consider what you are bringing with you and leaving behind in different areas. Here are the average times needed for certain “standard” types of waste to disappear in most geographical areas: Sheet of paper: 2-4 weeksBanana skin: 3-5 weeksPhotographic film container: 20-30 yearsShoe sole: 50-100 yearsTin can: 80-100 yearsAluminum can: 200-400 yearsPlastic stopper: 450 years
Putting theory
into action
If the passport guidelines introduce a new way of travelling that
challenges your perceptions, shakes you out of your comfort zone, and inspires
you to enrich your soul, then the Green Passport Initiative has reached its
aim. As a greener traveller you will not only make a contribution to other
people’s lives, you might just change your own.
Click here
for your Green Passport!
You can download it on your Smartphone or print it out; it will always
be there for you whenever you go decide to go travelling.
Dare to change and don’t be shy to take this new green attitude with you
to the most beautiful, interesting, and charming destinations!
