Sustainable Holidays

Thinking about your next holiday? Just contemplating all those wonderful locations, hotels and activities can lift a flagging spirit on a rainy afternoon. We have so many destinations and styles of holiday to choose from that when it comes down to making that final decision, the impact your well earned break will have on the environment may understandably be well down your ‘things to consider’ list.

Indeed, why consider it at all? Tourism brings many positive, often essential benefits to individuals, communities and precious environments around the world. Local economies, wildlife conservation and heritage sites would be, in countless instances, hard pressed to survive without the intrepid holiday maker.

Unfortunately, there is a down side. Many of our western lifestyle choices put a huge strain on the earths’ finite natural resources and our choice of holiday is no exception. However, with a little extra consideration we can satisfy our inherent desire to seek out sun and fun while enjoying a more respectful, responsible and sustainable break.

There is now an abundance of travel websites offering heaps of advice on ‘green holidays’ and ‘ecotourism’. Most give tips and environmental information to help you make an informed decision. Some are listed below together with a few general energy/environmental sites that will give you more of the science and facts to help you decide where to visit. There are also a growing number of ethical travel books available through libraries, websites and book shops (buy through a charity such as WWF and support them at the same time). If you normally use a travel agent we would urge you to ask them what they are doing to support environmental concerns and find out if they know about some of the sustainable issues listed below.

Things to consider when planning an environmentally sustainable holiday: A resume of advice collected from sites listed below

1. If you’re planning a break abroad think holiday not holidays. Travelling by plane has the most significant environmental impact of your break so taking fewer but longer trips will cut down on flights. Weekend shopping trips to New York or Milan are really hard to justify!
2. What effect is the tourism industry having on the area you would like to visit – can the natural environment and its people sustain the type of holiday you have in mind? http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk campaigns to highlight bad practice.
3. How does your favourite resort measure up environmentally? What is its record on recycling, water use, waste disposal, energy use, supporting local suppliers?

http://www.tourismpartnership.org is a site for the hotel industry which has some really useful advice on implementing environmentally sustainable businesses – their information will also help you to ask the right questions when making enquiries. Remember that environmentally considerate resorts are keen to advertise their ‘green credentials’.

1. What type of holiday do you want? Ever thought about combining your desire to see the world with conservation, volunteering or learning a new skill of benefit to the environment and local community?
2. If you plan to holiday in mainland Europe/UK, how about taking the train, coach or driving? http://www.seat61.com and http://www.idontfly.com tell you how to get by train, ferry and bus to almost any European destination (and beyond) and include time tables and cheap fares. Travelling by train is between 8 and 10 times more carbon efficient per person than flying. As about 80% of all British flights have a European destination, there is great scope here for energy and carbon efficiencies, not to mention a reduction in other pollutants like high altitude Nitrous Oxide and water vapour (four times more harmful than at ground level). Check out our home page and web sites below for more information.
3. Think about how you can support the local environment while enjoying its holiday amenities. You could:
   • Buy from local traders. This would obviously not include buying food or trinkets made from endangered wildlife, flora or fauna.
   • Place a high value on water. In many countries clean water is a precious and limited commodity. This is easy to forget when you’re relaxing in luxurious spa’s, pools and lush gardens, playing golf on beautifully manicured greens or taking frequent power showers.
   • Do you really need clean towels and linen daily?
   • Leave unnecessary packaging and disposable items at home. The waste disposal infrastructure in many countries can’t cope with our western ‘throw away’ lifestyle.
   • Consider how your behaviour would change if you had to pay an additional surcharge for every unit of energy you use on holiday. Remember to turn off lights, air conditioning, heating, televisions etc before leaving your accommodation.
   • Make sure you don’t leave a negative impact at your chosen destination –respecting the wildlife, landscape and culture (sometimes referred to as your Ecofootprint).

A WORD OF CAUTION

There has been a lot of talk recently about CARBON OFFSETTING. The idea goes like this…..for every environmentally bad thing you do, you can pay a company to do something environmentally good in return. There are several companies offering this service but be careful and make sure your money is going to a scheme that you agree with. http://ecofriendlytourist.com has some advice and links.

GREEN WASHING, is a term used to describe travel companies who are allegedly jumping onto the green holiday bandwagon but whose green credentials may be suspect.

A quick look at their environmental page should raise alarm bells. Invariably, the only evidence of any environmental concern is to suggest YOU contribute additional money into a specified carbon offsetting scheme.

The holiday snaps included on this page are taken in the UK, a reminder of what we often take for granted on our doorstep. Of course, taking a holiday in Britain does not necessarily mean ‘green’, nor are we suggesting a complete ban on all foreign travel. Rather, we are suggesting a more thoughtful and considerate approach to holidays and travel, constantly acting in the best interests of the local environment and the planet.

But please don’t be put off trying to do your bit for the environment when you take a holiday. You can use a search engine to type in the destination you are considering with the word ‘environmental’ or ‘green’ and you should get plenty of choices. You can also check out the following web sites…

Link	Description
http://www.greenchoices.org.uk	A general green website giving advice including holidays, travelling and climate concern links
http://www.responsibletravel.com	Started in 2001 with the backing of Anita Rodick (Body Shop). It claims to be one of the biggest ethical travel companies and has a large selection of every type of holiday from gap year to safaris.
http://www.greenhotels.com	Is an American site that lists hotels across the world and provides guides and products for the industry.
http://www.explore.co.uk	Small group adventure and activity holidays with responsible tourism at its heart.Tours include: walking holidays, trekking tours, Family Holidays, safaris, …
http://www.ecofriendlytourist.com	Has loads of good general information and advice plus UK holidays detailing their green credentials.
http://www.ethicalescape.com	Ethical holiday website
http://www.green-key.org	Is a developing scheme originating in Denmark but a number of countries are signing up. Green key is a diploma given to tourist businesses such as hotels, leisure centres, restaurants, campsites etc who fulfil a long list of environmental criteria. (Keycamp holidays use it)
http://www.climatecare.org.uk	ClimateCare helps people lower business and individual carbon emissions
http://www.godifferently.com	Ethical holiday website
http://www.wwf.org.uk	World Wildlife Fund UK
http://www.foe.co.uk	Friends of the Earth UK
http://www.seat61.com	Great rail travel site giving you all the details you need to travel by rail around Europe.
http://www.idontfly.com	Gives you the tools you need to plan your no-flight travels. Find routes by train, by ferry and by bus. Go anywhere. No need to fly.
http://www.tourismpartnership.org	The International Tourism Partnership is a programme of The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), established to inspire and provide global leadership for responsible business in the hotel, travel and tourism industry.

Have a great time!

May 26, 2008 at 16:45 Leave a comment

Sustainable Transport – Electric Bikes and Scooters

Electric bikes have a small motor on the hub which can be engaged to help
you up hills or when you need extra assistance. This enables you to travel
further distances more quickly but also benefits from the same legislation
as an ordinary bike ie. You can use cycle lanes and need no licence or mot
etc. Original models were quite heavy but many have now improved and are widely
available (even as a fold up model that you can take on public transport).
This will be the subject of more research but in the meantime you may like to
look up http://www.naturaldiscovery.co.uk
who have linked up with ‘Surrey Hills’ to hire electric bikes to explore the
Surrey countryside. They also sell the bikes along with other environmental products.

We’ll also get back to you with more about electric and petrol scooters.
Surrey has two transport initiatives for young people (16-19) who have
difficulties getting to college or work using public transport. ‘Wheels to Work’
and ‘Wheels to Learn’ lease petrol scooters, safety equipment and provide training.
For more information contact http://www.sstp.org.uk
or phone 01883732791 / 07799072393. Leaflets are available in the town hall and libraries.

Finally, if you’re considering using public transport, the Surrey County Council
and London Transport websites above will provide you with local maps, journey
planners, timetables and up to date route news. http://www.transportdirect.org.uk
also provides public transport routes, journey planners and timetables.

Remember, if you’re over 60 years old, bus travel is free across Surrey (and usually
as far as the bus travels outside the Surrey boundaries) and will be free across
England from April 2008.

So, as the Sustran website suggests ‘Be admired for the car you don’t drive’
and be healthier, wiser and richer to boot!

March 11, 2007 at 22:58 Leave a comment

Sustainable Transport – Cycling

Did you know that:

• Even a modest amount of exercise can lead to significant health benefits
  (The Department of Health (DOH) suggest as little as 30 minutes five times a week)
• Cycling is one of the most effective aerobic exercises you can do, improving
  stamina, balance, coordination and general muscle strength while helping to lose
  unwanted pounds/kilos in the process.
• It can improve your cardiovascular health; reducing the risk of heart disease,
  strokes, lowering blood pressure and resting pulse rate. It can also
  have a positive effect on diabetes and mental health.

The positive relationship between health and sustainable transport was recently
given further recognition when the World Health Organisation awarded the (British)
National Cycling Network a ‘Counteracting Obesity Award’. The network,
coordinated by Sustrans beat over 200 entrants from 35 countries.
For further information see http://www.sustrans.org.uk article dated 16/11/2006.
See also: Saving lives: Our healthier nation (DOH 1999)

Whilst parts of Surrey and London may not be as flat as some of us would like,
cycling can be an easy and convenient way to travel locally. Often quicker
than a car, particularly during rush hours, there is now a wealth of local and
national information and advice to help you get cycling and plan your journey.
There are several web sites that will give you really good information on all
sorts of cycling related subjects. Rather than replicate their information on
this page – we would rather recommend them to you.

For local information the Epsom and Ewell Cycling Action Group, Surrey County
Council, Transport for London and London Cycling Campaign can help you with:

• Designated cycle routes and free maps
• Safe routes to school
• Safety and training
• Bikes on trains
• Getting started
• Local news and updates on current projects
• and much, much more…

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk – go to
roads and transport for free maps and guides, information about safety, training,
current news, school routes, cycling shops, maintenance advice, transport plans and
lots more. It also has links to other useful sites such as bus and train timetables
to help you plan your journey.

http://www.sustainable-epsom.fsnet.co.uk/cycling/
This is our local Epsom and Ewell Cycling Action Group link which provides loads of useful local information
including local news, routes, parking sites, taking bikes on trains. It also campaigns
for improvements within and around the borough. A really good site which will also
provide other useful links including the Cycling Touring Club and local group
rides for leisure.

http://www.lcc.org.uk is the London Cycling
Campaign site which provides maps, transport links, parking sites, safety, training,
news and information about the London Cycle Network

http://www.tfl.gov.uk The Transport for
London site offers free maps, route planners, taking bikes on public transport and
even a daily weather report.

http://www.londoncyclenetwork.org
provides online maps and what’s happening to London cycle routes.

http://www.acsurrey.org.uk Age Concern
organise a ‘Cycling for Health’ events calendar for those over 50 (GO50)

There are also a number of very good national sites that provide all sorts of
practical and environmental information to encourage and help you leave your car at home.

These include:

• Sustrans
• Cycling Touring Club
• Cycling England
• Friends of the Earth
• Saferoutestoschool.org.uk
• School-Run.org
• A to B magazine
• Bike For All
• Government Travel site
• Environmental Transport Association

March 11, 2007 at 20:58 Leave a comment

Sustainable Transport – Walking

Did you know that:

• Walking one mile a day (1.6km) can burn up at least 100 calories (more if you
  speed up a bit). It also alters fat metabolism so that you burn off more fat = weight loss and weight control.
• Walking has a significant effect on our cardiovascular health, reducing the
  risk of heart disease, strokes, lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and lipid levels.
• Walking, like other weight bearing exercises increases bone density which
  helps to slow down the onset/progress of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
• Walking improves general muscle strength, stamina, fitness, flexibility and
  coordination (particularly important when preventing falls in later life).
• Walking makes you feel good. Helps to clear the cobwebs, gives you an energy
  boost and can be as gentle or as brisk and demanding as you wish.

You see, smell, hear and notice so much more when you walk. The additional
good news is that Epsom and Ewell has some 2000 acres of green spaces, off road footpaths plus places and buildings of historic interest to make walking even
more fun. Why not make your trip to work/school/the shops an opportunity
to find out more about some of the buildings you pass (pubs could be a
good starter).

The following websites and groups offer a variety of walking information:

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk is a good place to start.
There are some 3400km of rights of way across Surrey.
This site has an OS interactive map which includes footpaths and gives the
mileage between two points. They also have information about ‘easy walks’ for
those with pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility limitations. There is additional
information about ‘walking school buses’ and a route planner that can link your
walk with public transport information and timetables.

http://www.epsomandewellramblers.co.uk
is the local group of the ramblers
association. It organises walks across the county. There is also a group
specifically for those under 40 years old www.surreyyoungwalkers.co.uk .
www.ramblers.co.uk is the national website.

http://www.whi.org.uk Walking the way to health is a joint initiative between the
British Heart Foundation and Natural England (formally the Countryside agency).
It includes all sorts of interesting information about walking for health and
particularly encourages those who currently walk very little. Epsom and Ewell
have their own group who meet on Wednesday’s and alternate Sundays.
There is a new 2007 list of walks available at libraries. Alternatively contact
spiotrowski@epsom-ewell.gov.uk or phone 01372 732185.
There are also several other WHI groups across surrey.

For those over 50 years old GO50 is a programme of gentle guided walks
organised by Age Concern. Leaflets are available from the town hall and
libraries or http://www.acsurrey.org.uk

http://www.townpage.co.uk/bhmuseum.htm
is the Bourne Hall Museum site.
There are several interesting local history pages which may add to the
enjoyment of your walk. These include describing where historical Epsom
characters lived or famous tourists visited. It also includes listed
buildings of special interest.

A new Epsom Heritage Trail was launched in December 2006, starting at
the clock tower. Free copies should be available at the town hall and local libraries.

http://www.epsomewellhistory.org.uk
The Epsom and Ewell History and Archaeology
Society (formally the Nonsuch Antiquarian Society) recommend local history books and publish a series of interesting occasional papers (including the one on pubs!)

March 11, 2007 at 20:58 Leave a comment

Sustainable Transport

This page is all about sustainable transport in Epsom and Ewell and what you can do to make the most of it. Related pages that go into detail about the particular forms of sustainable transport are listed below.

When getting started with sustainable transport it’s important to think about
what it means and why it is so important to you, those you care about and of course, the planet.
Read the section below to see what benefits sustainable transport can provide you and the environment.

Once you have decided to act on your enthusiam you then need to find out how your
local area can help you get into the types of transport you’ve chosen. For this,
we have a few pages that discuss particular types of transport and the resources available
to you locally.

Cycling

Walking

Electric Bikes and Scooters

The ‘Thinking about it’ bit

Are you:

• Fed up wasting hours sitting in local traffic jams?
• Annoyed when cyclists and pedestrians overtake your car and disappear from view?
• Feeling generally out of condition both physically and mentally?
• Frustrated with the queues and charges when trying to park?

Do you:

• Suspect there is a better way to travel short distances and possibly even feel good when you get there?
• Have concerns that you too are contributing to the disturbing effects of climate change?
• Wish you could do your bit, however small, to limit your own negative effect on our planet?

Did you know that in the United Kingdom, Road Transport accounts for

• Nearly a quarter of all green house gas emissions?
• Up to 70% of air pollutants in towns and cities?
• About 50% of Nitrogen Oxide (which when mixed with other gases produces Nitrogen Dioxide, a serious nasty)

And

• That 90% of Carbon Monoxide in our air comes from road vehicles?
• That carbon Monoxide is produced by the inefficient combustion of fuel, in particular cold or badly tuned engines?
• That a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel but that a quarter of all journey’s are less that 2 miles, the same distance it takes for the catalytic converter and engine to warm up.
• That there are more pollutants inside your car than outside?
• That the frustration caused by sitting in traffic jams can cause significant stress, higher blood pressure and an increased pulse rate?

References:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/
http://www.sustrans.org.uk
http://www.nationalcyclingforum.org.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news

Despite scary predictions and natural catastrophe’s attributed to climate change,
it still seems difficult for most of us to change our travelling habits especially
if the alternatives don’t immediately appeal to our busy lifestyles. However,
small changes will contribute to the whole. Whatever our current circumstances,
when it comes to considering how we can make our travelling more sustainable, we can all.

THINK…

‘Do I need to take this journey in the first place?’
While we don’t wish to encourage a nation of hermits, combining
tasks into one journey or sharing with friends could save you time
and money while reducing carbon emissions and pollutants.

THINK…

Does your work place have a car sharing scheme? If not, check out
links below to discover some of the benefits to both staff and the company.
Maybe YOU could get something started?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/
http://www.surreycc.gov.uk
http://www.liftshare.org.uk
http://www.carplus.org.uk.

THINK…

Does your child’s school have a school run car sharing scheme or a walking bus?
Does it have a safe cycling and walking link to school with provision for bikes,
safety and training? See links below for more information

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk
http://www.saferoutestoschool.org.uk
http://www.schoolrun.org

THINK…

About fuel economy when you’re next due to change your car.
Efficient engines not only save petrol and lower emissions, they can also save
you money on car tax – only £30.00pa for a hybrid vehicle plus no congestion
charges if you travel in London.

THINK…

For a moment how you would manage if you didn’t own a car.
Which journeys could you reasonably take using alternative methods of transport?
For some options and advice, please read on…

Although cycling can be fast, healthy and relatively cheap, we recognise it
may not be for everyone. However, few of us can opt out of the
most sustainable transport method of all… walking!

Now that you’ve started to get the bug for sustainable transport, have a look
at the related articles that go into detail about the different forms of sustainable
transport in Epsom and Ewell.

Cycling

Walking

Electric Bikes and Scooters

September 9, 2006 at 16:26 Leave a comment