Don’t Be An Island Polluter – 10 Top Tips For Keeping It Pristine
With many of you possibly escaping the winter to warmer climes, during these school holidays, I thought I’d run a story on the top 10 eco tips to keep in mind, to keeping paradise, that way.
Sadly, although islands conjure up images of pristine tropical paradises, they are actually among today’s most threatened and overburdened ecosystems.
Hawaii's Extinct Bird Display
Seventy- two percent of all the plant and animal extinctions ever recorded in the U.S. have occurred in Hawaii, a state that makes up less than 1% of the nation's land area.
In the last 400 years Lord Howe Island, has had more bird species and subspecies extinctions than Africa, Asia and Europe combined.
Much has been written about global warming and climate change throughout various countries around the world, but the truth is that, nowhere in the world, will its consequences be felt more strongly than on islands. Many of which are now also under the threat of disappearing completely as the seas continue to rise due to melting polar ice caps.
Eco-reef installation, Indonesia
ocean liners.
Try as I might, once again, my blog takes on that sound of impending doom, doesn’t it?
Fortunately for us all, there are some concerned and active people trying to hold back the tide a good while longer.
Since 1999, an organisation called Seacology.org <<Link>> has launched over 130 island-based projects, saving 1,741,062 acres of marine ecosystems and 98,507 acres of precious terrestrial habitat.
In their own words, they are ‘…the world's premier non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) with the sole and unique purpose of preserving the environments and cultures of islands throughout the globe.’
To help save the world’s Islands, Seacology compiled a list of their Top 10 Tips for protecting islands, whilst still allowing you to enjoy your island experience.
Resorts such as the Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort (www.fijiresort.com) and the accommodations at the Chumbe Island Coral Park (www.chumbeisland.com) provide a true, one-of-a-kind ecologically responsible vacation experience. Check it out thoroughly when you book.
2.Take nothing but pictures. Do not collect shells or other wildlife as souvenirs of your trip. That shell you want to take might be the future home of a hermit crab.
3.Offset your carbon. Flying to an island releases large amounts of CO2 into the air. Compensate for the negative environmental impacts of your travel by contributing to Seacology's Carbon Neutral Seacology's Carbon Neutral Fund <<Link>> Your dollars will assist Seacology's efforts to support tree planting and clean energy projects on islands throughout the world.
5.Respect and appreciate the diversity of island cultures and languages. The devastation of island cultures is happening at an alarming rate. One island alone - Papua New Guinea - is home to over 800 languages, many of which are spoken by only a small number of tribal elders. Before you go, learn a little about the culture and language of the island you plan to visit. The smiles that greet you when you use the local language will be a nice added bonus.
7. Avoid disposable products. Waste disposal is a critical problem on many of the world's islands. Do not bring disposable products on your vacation.
9. Support local economies, save fossil fuel and discover new flavours by eating locally caught and produced foods. Not only that, but the local coconut dessert is a lot fresher than the packaged cupcake made months ago in a country thousands of miles away.
10. Help launch new projects to protect island environments and cultures by supporting Seacology. Seacology works directly with island villagers to create initiatives that both protect precious habitats, and improve quality of life. In the words of Dr. John McCosker of the California Academy of Sciences, "Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, Seacology gets more output than any conservation group that I've seen."
Rugby World Cup 2007
To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
What you're doing is important....ending doom.
I've been to the Cousteau Resort in Fiji. It's in a beautiful part of the island. Although a fairly luxurious resort, they do not let their guests shirk their responsibility to the environment.
For a while, I lived in the Pacific so know a lot of the Melanesian customs, etc and a lot of these customs, rituals, traditions have to do with the sea...so it's been actually quite hard to convince the islanders themselves that they cannot continue with their way of life...if they want to keep their paradise intact.
Having said that...all islanders respect the sea and her bounty.
Excellent post Lilla.
Hope you are well.
much warmth
Dusk
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
So nice to 'alf' see you...*lol* I was wondering where you were...thought maybe already passing through Jundabyne... if not up halfway up the 'pomma' already
Good to see you are well.
I appreciate your encouragement, but it seems that no matter where I turn on this planet to write on this blog, there is impending disaster happening everywhere, but I thought this "interactive" at very least.
The Resort in Fiji does sound good and I know what you mean about the isdlanders themselves, it is a shame, whichever way you look at it...
Still if everyone gets in and does their bit, then perhaps things will stay a little cleaner for longer... I feel so sad for the birds though...extinction is forever...and nothing is evolving that quick now that it can replace what's lost.
*hanging head*
*sighing*
*going to make dinner*
Lovely to see you..much pyaar to you and your family.
Lilla ...
Learning Something Everyday
Love your post!
Have a blessed week ahead
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
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Thanks for your compliment.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, I just noticed it on the Orble New Post Page... my condolenses, I will visit you tomorrow and talk more then.
Stay well my friend, my thoughts are with you...
Lilla ...
Kalikapsychosis
This is why I tend to shy away from enviro warrior. It makes me sad....That extinct bird picture....Ouch.
Not a big fan of the hot joints anyways. I'll save my efforts for alaska....
a most excellent post! Thanks for making people aware that once they pollute an island, it's pretty much done for!
Great pictures and very well presented!
Take care,
Nick
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I love this list. Have printed it out for future use. I am hoping to go to an Eco resort in Costa Rico in the fall or Spring. Thanks for being a warrior!
Mis
Movies and Life
Tracy
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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With you all the way on this one, but I cannot help feeling compelled to do what I can within my suburban existence.
I know you probably do more than all of us when it comes to rescuing wildlife (well perhaps not Nick)*chuckle*... but yes, 'tis so sad.
All the more reason for everyone to become evironmentally aware and responsible... each individual matters...every shell matters, every blade of grass matters,... because it's never just one. It may be one to you, but one shell taken by each tourist is hundreds of thousands each year...affecting life cycles and everything.
What's not clear in this research is why the birds are dying... I may dig a bit deeper and see what comes up...
Thanks for the feedback.
Lilla ...
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
...why thankee for the encouragement... again, it seems so important to me that everyone realise this... and learn to behave.
Do you have any idea why the birds would be dying?
Lilla ...
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Costa Rico...lovely (haven't got a large suitcase have you?)..*chuckle* wouldn't mind a bit of eco villaging myself *lol* sounds idyllic.
I hope you have a wonderful time and now you'll be able to feel environmentally sound too. I don't know about you, but conservation always makes me feel fabulous!
A penny saved is a penny earned ...and all that *chuckle* gotta love our grandma's, hey?
Glad I could offer something useful ... It is my pleasure,
thank you for the compliment.
Lilla ...
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
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...always a pleasure to see you about.
...thanks for the compliment.
Lilla ...
Mum's Word
Eco resort sounds great. Have to find out more about that one.
When I learnt to scuba dive (10 years ago) my dive instructor drilled it into us to never touch anything because it's all alive.
Then one day I went for a dive off Shelly beach and at the bottom there was a motorbike, a boat, a shopping trolley and something else...a stove maybe.
Anyway, they had been there so long that the marine life made homes out of them.
Not that I'm saying that dumping large items in the ocean is a great idea...just an anecdotal experience.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Flashes of memories
I`m still getting used to living by the sea so am a little scared of touching anything incase it bites my hand off or something. This is all great advice for any island visitor.
I was watching the ships the other night lining up for their turn to cross the channel here and was wondering what damage it must do to the ocean floor every time a boat drops anchor. At any given time around the world there must be quite a few thousand anchors scraping along the sea floor and doing some serious damage down there.
Wineglass Bay in Tasmania is only accessible by walking and is the most stunning beach I have ever seen. I hope that many others follow suit and coupled with your advice here start looking for cleaner and more environmentally friendly approaches to share their land.
ash
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Funny, but sad... but it's great to see that universal intelligence is icertainly nto recycling...*chuckle* must've looked very funny... something for future tourists to enjhoy perhaps? You know, Jpanese tourists come to view Klevinator reefs and we go over there to see Sanyo ones?
ha ha
I agree about the eco resorts. Even if they cost a few extra dollars, I think they would be well worth my peace of mind. HOpe you get to check one out and tell us about it... I'm sure you will before I do, now I'm back below the poverty line *chuckling*
Thanks for your great comment!
Lilla ...
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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was wondering what damage it must do to the ocean floor every time a boat drops anchor. At any given time around the world there must be quite a few thousand anchors scraping along the sea floor and doing some serious damage down there.
What a great thought to have... it really is those little things that nobody thinks of that add up on the large scale, isn't it?
I may research that one. I bet the results are stunning on a global scale... see what I can find?
Rain's back on Sunday they say?
Lilla ...
Flashes of memories
I`d be interested to know what you find out Lilla. When I have some time I may also dig up a few things too.
I hope the rain is back again on Sunday. I`m thinking of going to the MBS Festival in Brisbane. At least the train ride won`t seem too bad if it is raining ~my word I cannot stand public transport~ I saw a few spatters this evening and was getting well excited.
ciao bella, bon nuit
Real Crash
For all you know seacology may really be death-to-humanity. How bout you "gimmee some truth"?
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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I was begining to miss you...
Here you are dumping in my puddle again I see... nothing wrong with a little light entertainment too I s'pose... I do have a life outside of keeping my fellow bloggers happy all the time....
Hmmm, am off to your site now to see what all the commotion is about.
Always happy for a little truth, as long as it doesn't try to convince me that most humans are not like ostriches with their heads stuck in the sand when it comes to change, or worse, up their *erghm* you know what....
As for truth and my version of it, perhaps my next post will appeal more?
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Lilla ...
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Costa Rico...lovely (haven't got a large suitcase have you?)..*chuckle* wouldn't mind a bit of eco villaging myself *lol* sounds idyllic.
I have never been eco villaging so I am looking forward to it.
I hope you have a wonderful time and now you'll be able to feel environmentally sound too. I don't know about you, but conservation always makes me feel fabulous!
It makes me feel fabulous too!
A penny saved is a penny earned ...and all that *chuckle* gotta love our grandma's, hey?
HAHAHA you are so right
Glad I could offer something useful ... It is my pleasure,
You always have useful information to offer ! Thank you!
Mis