Eco Tourism Blog

Melting Ice , Rising Oceans 

As per a study recently conducted the Greenland ice sheets are melting 3 times faster. This further strengthens the fact that global warming has increased in the recent years. Greenland ice loss now amounts to more than 48 cubic miles (200 cubic kilometers) each year. Global sea levels have risen by about 0.1 inch (2.8 millimeters) a year over the past decade. The new study is based on an analysis of gravity measurements collected by satellites that orbit the Earth. The satellites are part of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), which was launched in March 2002 and is run by a team of experts in the U.S. and Germany. Melted Greenland would result in the rise of global oceans by about 21.3 feet (6.5 meters). The question is how long global warming is going to take to waste the island ? Image Thanks: John Roach Via: National Geographic News

Poland not complying by ‘Natura 2000′? 

Natura 2000 is a European Union programmed to preserve the 25-nation bloc’s most important wildlife areas and species. According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), half of Europe’s mammal species, one-third of reptile, amphibian and fish species, as well as one-third of plant species are threatened with extinction. European Commission biodiversity expert Agata Zdanowicz has described the situation as being serious stating that Poland has failed to protect 85% of its designated 72 sites. Poland defended itself through its tourism minister Mr. Mazurek who said “Some areas have been appointed without a detailed knowledge of what is in them. Local governments do not agree on many of those areas,” Natura 2000 protects 18% of land in the 15 countries that formed the EU before its growth in 2004. Image Via: BBC News

Wonder Structures :

Some unbelievable results were reached by, architecture students from 84 universities in 24 countries competing for the design competition called, ‘Hospitality Transformed: Resort Hotels in 2055.’ Based on present tourism trends and technology that has yet to be invented these future structures are quite amazing :  In future nature will have to be brought into the concrete jungle of the metropolis.. How far is that truly possible? Well the next best thing is Lionel Leow and Yanling Tay of the Delft University of Technology in their innovative design suggest a hotel designed like a gigantic terrarium. In their Hotel Archipelago everything (rooms, restaurants, gardens, and grounds) will be enclosed inside a massive glass box. Lining the sides of the structure, guestrooms and suites would overlook a hermetically sealed landscape complete with pools, walkways, and gardens fashioned after the best in the World. It’s shown in the picture above. Ryan Dick, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign envisages a resort in Halong Bay, off the coast of Vietnam, his proposal would utilize a dam, man-made reservoir, and luxury houseboats. This dam would fulfill the drinking water, hydro electricity, irrigation for its terraced rice paddies, as well as scenic needs of the resort. Guestrooms, would be included in the dam wall and surrounding rice terraces, although luxury houseboats would also be provided. Continue reading “Wonder Structures” »

UK Birdfair : Birder’s Delight 

The 2006 UK Birdfair is to be held at Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water, Oakham, Rutland, from 18th to the 20th of August. Profits from the fair have gone in for various ecological projects such as the rainforests of Sumatra, the wetlands of Madagascar and the dry forests of Peru. Events include Birdfair Auctions, Lecture Marquee and Sights & Sounds Marquee.For a chance to win a free ticket to the Bird fair log onto their website. Image Read

Sustainable Tourism at its Best :

With youngsters leaving for the cities and village economy going down the dumps, innovative tourism turned this entire village around. Today this beautiful village community of Varese Ligure, in the northwestern Italian valley of Vara is Europe’s prime example for sustainable tourism . This was the first community to be acknowledged with two European environmental certifications (ISO 14.001 in 1999 and EMAS II in 2002) and a prize for “best rural community of the Old Continent” in 2004.In its environmental consciousness this village goes in for Organic farming, gets energy from wind turbines , avoiding 8,000 tones of carbon dioxide emissions. Solar panels produce about 23, 000 kilowatt of energy. Stefano Sarti regional president of Legambiente said “It is one of the most advanced communities in Europe in terms of the environment, and an example of how to administer a particular territory, almost in the mountains, and with many problems.’ The 14 years of efforts by this beautiful community definitely deserve a visit. Image Via: Climate Ark

Fish as Dangerous as the Shark? Giant Jumping Sturgeon 

With the filming of ‘Jaws’ and the ‘White Shark Incidents’ the fear from sharks is real in our minds. But imagine a fish from the roots of dianasoures that are 8 feet (2.5 meters) long and weigh up to 200 pounds (91 kilograms). Capable of jumping on a unsuspecting you upto 2 meters above water.This is the giant jumping Strugen. Five collisions with these fish on the Suwannee River in northwestern Florida, some of them resulting in serious injuries has left the people in fear of these. But with lots of fish and lots of boat traffic collisions are bound to happen. Though I personally would love to check out this giant jumping Strugen. Thanks: Stefan Lovgren Via : National Geographic News

Draw your Penguins in Antartica :

Recent years have seen this continent develop as a popular destination .A two-day cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina over rough waters brought Brian to this island. An excellent idea for cruise lovers with trips running from from November to March. Good trips are offered by Quark Expeditions. A group generally includes 100 passengers.  Activities on board ship include lectures by various experts : bird specialist, a marine biologist, a geologist, a historian, artists giving lessons on drawing.  Want to watch a live avalanche or hear the sound of iceburgs going underneath ? I sure would.  Long and breathtaking Sunsets , whale sightings and scores of gentoo penguins are all part of the deal. The unpredictable nature of Antarctic weather makes everyday a different kind of thrilling adventure. I would to explore this continent’s untouched wilderness. Image Thanks: Brian Witte Via: CNN

Ethanol from Corn  

Plants are to be established which will use manure to provide enough energy to convert corn into ethanol( which can be distilled from food starches ). This will make ethanol production much cheaper by using manure to produce Methane . Ethanol production plants fueled by cow manure are under construction in Hereford, Texas, and Mead, Nebraska. By this Panda facility will be abel to save lots of oil. E3 operation has gone a step further, by collecting the cow dung directly from the cow pens as a result the common problem of water pollution as well as prevents the atmospheric release of methane(green house warming) caused by manure left standing across farmland will be eliminated. In the long run ethanol might even replace gasoline. With liquid gold ( petroleum) as expensive as ever alternative fuel sources will be welcome by all . Image Via: National Geographic News

Sand Spitting Geysers? Try Mars 

Images from a camera orbiting the mars show that CO2 gushing at a speed of 100mph erupts from its South Pole. The orbiting camera, called the Thermal Emission Imaging System (Themis), is on the Mars Odyssey probe. The geysers are a result of underground frozen carbon dioxide turning into into high-pressure gas because of sunlight.Dr Phil Christensen is quoted to have said “If you were there, you’d be standing on a slab of carbon dioxide ice,” “All around you, roaring jets of CO2 gas are throwing sand and dust a couple of hundred feet into the air.” These geysers would definitely be death traps for life if it is there on Mars. Image Via: BBC News

Contraceptive pills even for Kangroos? 

Well I guess that’s a better idea than killing these Marsupians. Australia’s wild kangaroos population is estimated at 57 million( nearly three times the human population) which is responsible for harming crops and property and rival livestock for food and water. In Canberra, a city of about 300,000 people, kangaroos were responsible for 600 car accidents in 2004. Well I hope this new method for Kangaroo population control works. Image Via: Reuters