Spring 2008
In short...
In duality: How can we fly to our favorite destinations and lower our carbon footprint?
Climate Change is becoming one of the most pressing topics in our political agenda and many new (ad)ventures are being generated.
The European Commission (EC) has recently highlighted bio-based products alongside other three other green areas - sustainable construction, recycling and renewable technologies - within its newly announced Lead Markets Initiative (LMI). The EC aims to use various policy measures to help stimulate eco-innovation in these sectors.
In implementing bio-based innovation we have a lot to learn from the natural world. Biomimicry is a key mechanism to enable this and can be defined as the way humans mimic nature in the products we build and the systems we implement. Nature has 3.8 billion years of research and development with many problems solved that human designers and engineers still struggle with.
Bio-Innovators will bring together a number of leading thinkers and practitioners to highlight experience related to bio-based innovation and biomimetics with a particular focus on the challenges of moving ideas through to commercialization.
On a more practical note from the real world, we can highlight Richard Branson’s initiative of last Sunday, as Virgin Airlines flew the world’s first jumbo jet from London to Amsterdam.
One of the Boeing 747-400 engines was fueled by a mixture that included 25% biofuel made from babassu palm nut and coconut oil, among other natural oils.
Unfortunately, that low-carbon fuel of the future is not likely to be the blend that performed well here. The reason is that the earlier mentioned biofuel may end up causing rather than curing climate change, according to recent studies. In addition, fuel from the world’s limited supply of coconuts could drive up the price of the cooking oil as well as lead to further clearing of endangered rainforests in Southeast Asia for palm plantation expansion. And though the babassu palm grows wild in Brazil—not unlike switchgrass, a native perennial grass that might be used for ethanol in North America—there may not be enough of it to slake much of commercial aviation’s thirst for fuel.
Despite our determination to fight Climate Change, we still have a lot of trial and error to go through prior to solving our non renewable energy dependence. We can however be grateful for the current political and fiscal climate surrounding the debate.
How To...
Travel sustainably, or, make sure that your destination is sustainable from the inside out.
Marketing dollars make it easy for companies to “appear” green and sustainable. But you should really do your research that will enable to go on a trip with a good feeling. Here is a quick pick for you, and don’t forget to share us your stories…
Where To...
Where to go if you want to have a secluded Island feeling and fly not more than two and a half hours? Turks and Caicos…..a pristine oasis
BREAK
If you are in for an island exploration then pack our bags and leave for paradise. From New York, the flight only takes you two and a half hours, and this will give you access to a place filled with interesting historical facts and tropical scenery.
Geographically, the Turks & Caicos Islands are part of the Bahamian island chain. The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of two banks of land which rise to a height of 9842 feet (3000 metres), with only the last 140 feet or so above water level.
I should recommend that you make your airline arrangements to Providenciales as soon as possible. The Turks and Caicos are a popular destination and seats may be limited. American Air Lines and USAir offer scheduled flights daily. Check with your travel agent for other airlines, but we just booked online and it was the easiest experience.
HISTORY
The islands of the Turks and Caicos were first populated by Carib Amerindians but, shortly after the islands' discovery — depending on the source, on 12 October 1492 by Christopher Columbus, who would have claimed them for Spain, or by Juan Ponce de León in 1512 Spanish explorers began raiding the archipelago for slaves. Though many nations controlled the islands, official settlement did not occur right away.
THE NAME
A closer look at the origin of the name brings us to two origins:
The popular story is that the name Turks was derived after the indigenous Turk's Head "fez" cactus, , and the name Caicos, a Lucayan term "caya hico," meaning string of islands.
A more romantic, origin of the name is a reflection of the Islands' pirate history, when 17th and 18th century pirates ( hence the depiction of the boat ) used the islands as hideouts and preyed upon the passing Spanish treasure ships bound for Europe. The term "Turk" for a pirate stemmed two centuries earlier when the Ottoman Empire dominated the Mediterranean and Turkish corsairs harried European Atlantic shipping, thus translated "Turks" Islands becomes "Pirate" Islands!
TWO PLACES TO STAY
A small amount of lodges and villas are currently situated on the 50 acres that comprehend the pristine paradise called Blue Horizon, the most beautiful place on unspoiled Middle Caicos.
Besides paradisiac nature views and hiking trails, there are some great snorkeling options,
Also, make sure to keep a bowl of fresh water ready for the dog, because the owners of the resort, the Witt family, have a four legged darling that listens to the name of Smiley.
If you want to start your Turks and Caicos journey or organize your final days in a more exclusive way, then south Fleetwood is the place to be. This 4 star villa oasis is situated in Providenciales, so your drive to / from the airport is not too long.
We particularly liked the owners Kit and Colin, who – just like the Witt family from the Blue Horizon- built the place themselves. They even thought of adding a pool, despite the fact that the beach is a three minute stroll away.
The people from Big Blue live next door, so you can easily ask for a ride to their camp base, where their crew offer kayaking, recreational scuba, technical diving, eco adventures and nature explorations.
Interview...
Richard Caroll was by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO), and Colombia Tourism, to report on Sustainable Tourism Colombian-Style
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA - Correspondents, Richard Carroll and photographer, Laura Weston, were honored with a prestigious invitation by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO), and Colombia Tourism, to report on the 17th General Assembly held in Cartagena, Columbia, a dazzling UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of only three U.S. journalists invited, Richard had an audience with Colombia’s President Alvaro Uribe, and Harvard educated Luis Guillermo Plata, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and interviews with many of the 151 delegates and Ministers of Tourism from around the world.
The six-day General Assembly meeting was intense, passionate, and no-nonsense, with numerous hard-hitting international media and forum sessions covered by the BBC, and other TV and radio crews from Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East.
Meeting every two years in various countries throughout the world, UNWTO and the 151 delegates are the movers and shakers of world tourism with robust political clout.
In numerous round-table sessions, the Assembly fervently discussed in detail the devastating impact of global warming on tourism, the power of green to assist the poor and developing third-world countries, and the significant environmental, cultural, social and economic benefits of green tourism, and reducing the repulsive carbon footprint.
President Uribe passionately addressed his country’s history and drug problems, stating they have taken the country back from the thugs, that tourism is a top priority, and the country is eager to greet the world.
Articulate, impassioned, and sincere, he mesmerized the audience, and ended by giving out his personal e-mail with the promise to answer. Cruise ships are once again calling with some 51 docking in Cartagena in 2007, and a 13% increase in tourism with 966,447 foreign travelers, 25% from North America.
Colombia, the host country, opened their arms to the world, showcasing an evolving destination and a country keen for visitors.
The walled city of Cartagena is a step back to the 18th Century with spectacular hotels, a five-star Convention Center, fine restaurants, vibrant music, and an historic city brimming with exotic history.
The Castle of San Felipe de Barajas is the largest fortress built by the Spanish in South America, and appears to be something from a spacious Hollywood set.
Horse-drawn carriages, gorgeous colonial buildings, imposing churches and cathedrals, and the popular plazas lined with bustling sidewalk cafes, shops, and strolling musicians, are the essence of Cartagena.
Director Mike Newell who spent nine months in Cartagena filming Love in the Time of Cholera, based on the novel by Colombia’s literary hero, Gabriel Garcia Marques, said, “I spent five months here with a large crew and fell in love with the city and the people, and we did not have a single security problem.”
Regardless, safety is always a top concern for travelers, but we found the nine-days in Colombia, including an excursion to Santa Marta, and a 10-hour guided hike in the expansive Tayrona Tropical Rain Forest, trouble-free.
Tayrona, tucked away in the foothills of the imposing Sierra Nevada Mountains, used to be a haven for U.S. marijuana growers, and other villains, who had no regard for the gorgeous landscape. Tayrona is now is a booming National Park, a favorite family destination, a place where green once again rules.
The roughly 58-square mile park is one of the most stunning and biologically diverse parks in Latin America, featuring soaring Caribbean coastal mountains, sandy coves, and inlets dotted with huge boulders. It is absolutely a treasure to be experienced.
Based on my experience, I have to say Colombia’s new tourism campaign and launch catch phrase, Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay, seems particularly apt: an excellent indication of the future for this upcoming world class destination.
Words: Richard Carroll
Photography: Laura Weston
Pamela Peeters Productions L.L.C. 2007 © All rights reserved