| It's only natural to be shocked by the latest findings | | | | can be easily reached by Eurostar and train or sea. A |
| of climate scientists at the Centre for Alternative | | | | night in a cabin on a ferry crossing to Scandinavia, or |
| Technology and elsewhere, as we gradually start to | | | | on one of the luxurious 'trainhotels' which cover |
| understand the impact that our privileged lifestyles | | | | France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and beyond, can be |
| have upon the planet and its people. | | | | an exciting, fun experience bringing back some of the |
| Disturbing predictions include doomsday situations | | | | traditional romance of travel. Longer-haul overland |
| such as rising sea levels, flooding, chaotic and | | | | travel affords unique opportunities to see the world - |
| destructive severe weather causing crop failures and | | | | if you've got a backpack and a tent, you're free to |
| the spread of water-borne diseases, and skin cancers | | | | stop off and linger anywhere you please along the |
| from heightened UV exposure. Such nightmarish | | | | way. And anywhere really could be anywhere: there's |
| scenarios are all too likely to become reality, within | | | | even an 'adventure travel company' offering a |
| our lifetimes, if our energy consumption and pollutant | | | | 12-week overland voyage through 20 countries, from |
| emissions are not seriously curbed. | | | | London to Sydney, Australia! |
| The aviation industry is the fastest-growing source | | | | For the serious ethical traveller, voluntary |
| of climate-changing 'greenhouse gases', and Britain is | | | | conservation projects in beautiful locations, such as |
| responsible for more emissions from air travel per | | | | Iceland's National Parks, offer once-in-a-lifetime |
| head than any other country. We love to travel, but | | | | opportunities to enjoy and learn about these amazing |
| with these facts in mind, it's becoming difficult to | | | | landscapes while making a real, positive difference for |
| imagine jetting off on a 'well-earned' foreign holiday | | | | their future. |
| without serious cause for concern. However, the | | | | Eco-tourism and responsible, sustainable living is not |
| growing industry of ethical and ecologically sustainable | | | | necessarily expensive, either; you may actually be |
| tourism offers diverse, exciting, adventurous holidays | | | | pleasantly surprised by the low financial cost of living |
| which can minimise impact or even benefit the | | | | at a low environmental impact. Consider a cheap and |
| environment rather than wasting resources and | | | | cheerful InterRail pass for total freedom to travel by |
| causing harm. Guided walking and cycling tours, for | | | | train, either within one country or the whole of |
| instance, are a great way to see stunning landscapes | | | | Europe, when compared to the prices of destructive |
| and learn more about wildlife and plants whilst | | | | short-haul flights (not to mention getting to and from |
| contributing to the local economy in a responsible, | | | | provincial airports). Still, like any holiday, getting |
| non-exploitative industry. | | | | everything booked at once may mean taking a |
| Solar-powered, self-sufficient B&Bs are springing up in | | | | painful bite out of your cashflow, in which case |
| dreamy destinations like Portugal and Normandy. If | | | | manageable loans could help to spread the cost of |
| you're looking for something more adventurous, how | | | | your unique adventures. Once you've started to |
| about cross-country skiing in Norway, dog-sledding in | | | | explore, you might just find yourself hooked on the |
| Finland or sea kayaking and diving off Croatia? There | | | | feel-good thrills of travelling off the beaten track. |
| are hundreds of inspiring destinations in Europe which | | | | |