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