Karen Edwards

From the Los Angeles wildfires enhanced by a drier-than-usual environment and the flooding in Lanzarote intensified by unusually heavy rainfall, to the Pacific Islands bracing themselves to one day be underwater, our changing climate is affecting lives and ecosystems the world over. 2024 was Earth’s hottest year on record since records began in 1880. Meanwhile, the latest science-based report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends that transforming everyday habits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should be a priority if we are to tackle the harmful impacts of the changing climate successfully.  We can’t ignore that travelling comes with an environmental and, often, cultural cost – but by choosing to travel more responsibly and sustainably, you can help to reduce the negative impacts of tourism. As individual travellers, swapping flights for trains, when possible, is the best place to start. Choosing destinations that have already adopted locally beneficial initiatives, such as pledging to look after nearby natural habitats and investing in the surrounding communities, is also important. An easy way to be a more considerate tourist is by booking with operators that have a stringent sustainability policy, which ensures that your money goes towards the preservation of environment and culture.  Here are seven destinations that have already signed up to a more considerate way of life and deserve our support. RECOMMENDED: 🥾 13 ways to be a better to

Whether you dream of going in search of mountain gorillas in the Ugandan jungle, exploring the vibrant underwater reefs of Australia, going on safari across the plains of the Central Kalahari or whale-watching in Azorean waters, encountering wildlife in its natural habitat can be a humbling and often life-changing experience.However, issues such as overtourism, poaching, habitat loss and climate change are heavily impacting countless species – in some cases, putting them in danger of extinction. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has revealed that over 44,000 global species are currently at threat from extinction, while WWF’s latest Living Planet Report details how biodiversity loss is now widespread – with global wildlife populations diminishing by 73 percent since 1970.If you’re lucky enough to consider a wildlife encounter for your next trip, it’s important to book with an operator that puts wildlife first. These are the companies that hire expert guides who understand wildlife behaviour and advocate for their safety. In turn, they tend to employ and work alongside local people who strive to coexist with crop-guzzling wild animals, ensuring communities are sufficiently supported.Operators committed to ethical practice typically provide an informed experience for visitors, sharing knowledge about vital habitats, physiology, behaviour and threats. This ensures you are not only uplifting good conservation practices but are also receiving an educatio

While we don’t want to labour on the negatives, you don’t need to be an expert or activist to understand that we are in a climate pinch. It seems a little contradictory to fear for the future while excitedly encouraging international travel, but we humans are an innovative bunch. Exploring the globe doesn’t need to be devastating, and being a responsible traveller doesn’t mean lectures and negativity. Whether you call it eco-travel, sustainable, ethical, regenerative or eco-travel, there is plenty to get excited about. An increasing number of sustainable travel companies are creating itineraries that allow curious minds to see the world while keeping the impact down. The experiences are awe-inspiring, from hiking remote mountaintops to embracing the world’s most impressive national parks, allowing visitors to engage with destinations in a way that extends far beyond the superficial. If you’re looking for an ethical and environmentally driven travel company for your next adventure, look no further. RECOMMENDED:  🍁 Five of the world’s wildest places and the people working to keep them that w🥾 The 16 best hikes in the world🌊 The 15 most spectacular places to swim in the world

Many of us are already pretty clued up on how to live an eco-conscious lifestyle. You may be a dedicated user of renewable bottles and cups, might never buy single-use plastics or have made the swap to an electric car. Perhaps you’ve even pledged to eat less meat, swapped your pension account over to a green investor or have double-glazed windows to make your home more energy efficient. These are all great actions, and with more people making similar changes, an increasing number of businesses are finally seeing the value in switching up, too. However, one thing we shouldn’t overlook is the impact of our holidays. We know travel can have a negative impact on both the environment and the communities we visit – but handled right, individual travellers can make a positive difference. There are plenty of ways to explore the world without leaving a big footprint and by adopting a few helpful habits, you’ll be able to do your bit to support local communities as well. Here are 13 things to consider when planning your next trip. RECOMMENDED: 🌳 The world’s best sustainable tourism destinations🐼 11 once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters that put animals first🚂 11 of the most incredible train journeys around the world ⛰️ The 15 most spectacular national parks in the world

This winter season has already shown us how a changing climate can have devastating effects on the way we live. We only have to look to the indiscriminate wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles, or the floods deriving from erratic storms that have hit parts of Britain, to see how increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather is contributing to local and global devastation. Even our favourite winter destinations have been significantly affected. Warmer winters mean steady snowfall has been replaced by rain, with ski regions struggling to maintain snow cover for prolonged periods of time. Increasingly volatile weather patterns mean the abundant snowfall that typically comes in early winter and lasts throughout the season is no longer a guarantee. ’Those that have built their economy on winter sports like skiing [and snowboarding], and don’t have reliable snowfall anymore, are struggling,’ admits Dr. Susanne Etti, the Global Environmental Impact Manager at Intrepid Travel. ’Some resorts are no longer seeing snow at Christmas, [which has always been] a popular time for skiing holidays.’ A ski slope with little snow in the Dolomites, Italy | Photograph: alenacepl / Shutterstock Last year, we reported how Alpe du Grande Serre – a much-loved family resort located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France – closed its doors following dwindling snow and a lack of available funds to offer year-round activities. Sadly, it hasn’t been the only resort to stop operating due to the chang

Last year, over 100,000 people took to the streets around the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Barcelona – and even Cornwall – to protest the impact of overtourism. Their message was clear: excessive tourism, without regulation, was putting too much pressure on rental prices and local infrastructure. As a result, many residents were being pushed out of their homes and were battling for space on their own doorstep.  READ MORE: Can popular European cities ever recover from overtourism? While we’ve heard a lot about the overcrowded hotspots to avoid, there are still plenty of countries actively inviting visitors to enjoy their way of life. Often, these lesser-visited regions rely on well-managed tourism to supplement the local economy, fast-track infrastructure development and provide employment opportunities and financial independence for local communities. Importantly, tourism can facilitate the teaching and sharing of cultures and traditions that have been practised for centuries or longer. It enables deep-rooted customs to live on in the modern world. Perhaps most vitally, it brings people together through meaningful experiences – a reminder that our shared values go beyond borders. By visiting the places that embrace tourism, we support the communities that need us most. So, as you plan your trips for 2025, consider travelling to the following countries – because they are ready and waiting for you.  RECOMMENDED:🧳 How to be a better tourist in Europe’s most visited cities🚆 The be

While tourism across the world over the past year has somewhat recovered following the pandemic, the industry isn’t quite yet fully back on its feet. And many nations have been forced to re-examine how they should fill the revenue gap that thousands, sometimes millions, of travellers once brought to their economies. The loss in income, on both an individual and national level, has remained huge in some places – with the impact on infrastructure development and conservation efforts also stalling. For the many people working in the travel and tourism industry, and the communities who support or depend on it, the recovery continues to be slow and gruelling. So, while 2023 should be the year we carry on rethinking how we travel and becoming more mindful about our carbon footprint, it is also the year where we should choose our holidays wisely, making a conscious decision about where is best to travel under the current circumstances. As you plan your trips, consider the following countries – they have had a particularly difficult time over the past few years.  RECOMMENDED: 12 ways to be a better tourist right now

As we all come out blinking from a bewildering few years for travel, it appears that 2023 is the year we’ll return to full-scale normality. All-out travel is back – and the possibilities are endless. However, an entire return to normal isn’t perhaps what we should be wishing for. With the climate crisis and stories of overtourism dominating the headlines, there’s no getting away from the fact that sustainable tourism is important. Put simply, the way we travel must change for the better. One powerful way to do this is by flying less, particularly as transport-related emissions from the tourism industry account for such a significant percentage of both global transport emissions and man-made greenhouse emissions. If we all opted to fly less, there would be a significant reduction in carbon being emitted into the atmosphere. So, whether you’re planning to flop on a beach or embark on an adventure-filled journey, here are nine brilliant trip options to enjoy without setting foot on an aeroplane. RECOMMENDED:🏕 Essential ways to be a better tourist right now🗺 The best sustainable ecotourism destinations⏱ These cities could be underwater by 2030  

The festive season is fast approaching, and the shops are already tantalising us with their sparkling fairy lights, glistening tinsel and abundance of festive food. It’s almost a tradition to write off December as the month of overindulgence, but with a very real environmental crisis on our hands, perhaps we should all put a little more consideration into how we celebrate this year. From buying presents and decorating your home to the never-ending feasts and parties, it’s hard to imagine how it’s possible to make Christmas eco-friendly. But fear not – there are plenty of ways to delve into the spirit of the season without turning into Scrooge. Whether you’re partying your way through the month or planning a simple day at home with loved ones, here are a few easy and sustainable ways to enjoy yourself while keeping the planet front of mind.