traveller
People all over the world have become conscious of the need to preserve the resources of the planet and become more efficient in their use of energy to reduce the impacts of global warming. They recognise that every little bit helps and have made lots of small adjustments to their daily lives.
You can continue that effort whilst on holiday by choosing Planet Safe Partnership endorsed products. The beauty of Planet Safe Partnership is that you can get involved at a level that suits you and your travelling companions whether they are a friend, your family or your sports team.
If you feel you're doing your bit by just choosing vacation products that are doing very smart, environmentally responsible things in their daily operations - that's fantastic. Just choose the Planet Safe Partner experiences that you want to do. However if you feel you'd like to be doing more you can get more actively involved.
activities and initiatives
Some Planet Safe Partners offer personal participation opportunities within the itinerary of their tour. Tree planting is one obvious activity offered by some companies. However many have great interpretation activities that will provide fantastic insights into the importance of our important reef and rainforest environments and the part they play in the global situation. A snorkelling tour with a marine biologist or a rainforest walk with a local aboriginal ranger can provide you with a wonderful insight into why these areas are so important for us to preserve.
For specific product information go to Planet Safe Partners and click the links to member websites.
carbon offsetting
You may choose to contribute to a carbon offsetting initiative. Your travel company may have their own program in the area or country where you live. Some airlines are getting involved and also offer schemes. We recommend you research these and choose the one that you consider is most appropriate. However, in Tropical North Queensland we have some terrific (Government endorsed) offsetting programs that are making important local changes to not only reduce greenhouse gases but making a real contribution to the environment through;
- Buying old growth rainforests,
- Planting habitat corridors or repairing wetlands,
- Protecting endangered species such as the Cassowary,
- Carrying out research that helps us better understand what we need to do to best protect the region's environmental assets.
australian rainforest foundation
The ARF is involved in a series of carefully considered projects that greatly contribute to reducing carbon emissions. They have developed the Hero2 program which is a type of offsetting scheme. The important features of this program are to protect old growth rainforests, the extension of the rainforest through replanting and recovering rare and endangered plant and animal species. To find out more go to www.hero2.net.au
skyrail rainforest foundation
Skyrail is one of Tropical North Queensland's most significant rainforest interpretation attractions. To reinforce their commitment to increasing awareness and protecting our unique rainforest environment they established the Skyrail Rainforest Foundation. To get the facts go to www.skyrailfoundation.org
conservation volunteers
Conservation Volunteers is Australia's leading practical conservation organisation. Since 1982 Conservation Volunteers has fulfilled its mission to attract and manage a force of volunteers in practical conservation projects for the betterment of the Australian environment. You can get personally involved. To learn more about what's on in TNQ during your visit try www.conservationvolunteers.com.au
