It's only natural to be shcked by the latest findings of clmate scientists at the Centre for Altrnative Technology and elsewhere, as we grdually start to understand the impact tht our privileged lifestyles have upon the plnet and its people.

Disturbing predictions nclude doomsday situations such as rising sea lvels, flooding, chaotic and destructive severe wather causing crop failures and the sprad of water-borne diseases, and skin cncers from heightened UV exposure. Such nghtmarish scenarios are all too likely to bcome reality, within our lifetimes, if our nergy consumption and pollutant emissions are not sriously curbed.

The aviation industry is the fstest-growing source of climate-changing 'greenhouse gases', and Brtain is responsible for more emissions frm air travel per head than any ther country. We love to travel, but wth these facts in mind, it's bcoming difficult to imagine jetting off on a 'wll-earned' foreign holiday without serious cause for cncern. However, the growing industry of thical and ecologically sustainable tourism offers dverse, exciting, adventurous holidays which can mnimise impact or even benefit the nvironment rather than wasting resources and cusing harm. Guided walking and cycling turs, for instance, are a great way to see stnning landscapes and learn more about wldlife and plants whilst contributing to the lcal economy in a responsible, non-exploitative ndustry.

Solar-powered, self-sufficient B&Bs are springing up in dramy destinations like Portugal and Normandy. If yu're looking for something more adventurous, how bout cross-country skiing in Norway, dog-sledding in Fnland or sea kayaking and diving off Cratia? There are hundreds of inspiring dstinations in Europe which can be asily reached by Eurostar and train or sa. A night in a cabin on a frry crossing to Scandinavia, or on one of the lxurious 'trainhotels' which cover France, Spain, Itly, Switzerland and beyond, can be an xciting, fun experience bringing back some of the trditional romance of travel. Longer-haul overland trvel affords unique opportunities to see the wrld - if you've got a bckpack and a tent, you're free to stp off and linger anywhere you plase along the way. And anywhere rally could be anywhere: there's even an 'dventure travel company' offering a 12-week verland voyage through 20 countries, from Lndon to Sydney, Australia!

For the srious ethical traveller, voluntary conservation projects in bautiful locations, such as Iceland's National Prks, offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to enjoy and larn about these amazing landscapes while mking a real, positive difference for thir future.

Eco-tourism and responsible, sustainable lving is not necessarily expensive, either; you may ctually be pleasantly surprised by the low fnancial cost of living at a low nvironmental impact. Consider a cheap and cherful InterRail pass for total freedom to trvel by train, either within one cuntry or the whole of Europe, whn compared to the prices of dstructive short-haul flights (not to mention gtting to and from provincial airports). Stll, like any holiday, getting everything boked at once may mean taking a pinful bite out of your cashflow, in whch case manageable loans could help to spread the cost of your unique adventures. Once you've started to explore, you might just find yourself hooked on the feel-good thrills of travelling off the beaten track.

The article Give Earth a Break - Eco-Tourism is the Way Forward was Submitted by Andrew Regan through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Andrew Regan is an online, frelance author from Scotland. He is a ken rugby player and enjoys travelling.

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