Articles with the theme Sustainable tourism
Cancun Hosts the United Nations Climate Change Convention – COP16
Mexico is the ideal location for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, since it is a country most likely to be negatively impacted by man-made climate change − global warming − according to a 2009 report by the World Bank Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. Not only this, but the country also implemented measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions voluntarily.
Mexico Environmental Programs
As a developing country, Mexico stands out for its implementation of domestic environmental controls at an early stage. Mexican authorities had begun establishing programs to generate a greener economy and reduce carbon emissions in the environment from the time experts first discovered the negative impacts of man-made climate change.
Mexico is a proud example that any country can be environmentally responsible to the extent of its abilities. The government’s successful program for businesses to voluntarily measure and report GHG emissions reflects the country’s serious approach to environmental improvement. In fact, the number of businesses supplementing their international protocols with this program has doubled between 2006 and 2009.
Mexico’s environmental commitment has extended beyond the domestic to the international community by its participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1993, signing the Kyoto Protocol* in 1998 and endorsing it in 2000.
Climate Change Conference
Hosting the 2010 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Cancun from November 29th through December 10th, Mexico demonstrates its active participation on environmental issues. This significant event includes the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) and the 6th Conference of the Parties with a meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP6).*
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, stresses the importance of “identifying what elements they will be able to agree on in Cancun.” According to Figueres, two primary elements require an agreement:
(1) Providing financial and emergency support to developing countries undergoing environmental disasters resulting from climate change.
(2) Encouraging industrialized nations to share clean energy technology with developing countries while protecting the tropical rainforests that absorb carbon emissions.
Convention Benefits
A few environmental benefits accompany the sponsorship of the climate change conference. Cancun will receive 10,000 trees and bushes to be planted along Luis Donaldo Colosio Boulevard, the main roadway from Cancun to the Riviera Maya, which will assist in carbon absorption, sequestration, and beautification.
A residual waste management program will also be established in Cancun to assist with the processing and elimination of every different kind of waste. Special trash bins will be placed throughout Cancun and in official convention areas for discarding and recycling.
Concerned that the additional energy output from holding this conference might contribute to further environmental damage due to increased GHG emissions, the Mexican government has suggested conference participants:
· Use renewable energy sources
· Neutralize greenhouse gas emissions through soil conservation programs
· Participate in reforestation programs across the world and in Mexico
· Support sustainable forest management throughout the world and in Mexico
Sustainable Tourism
The All Inclusive Riviera Maya resort featured in our tours and vacation packages, is founded on the principles of sustainable tourism, which preserves the environment and provides luxury, all inclusive accommodations. One of Mexico’s few truly sustainable resorts, its performance extends beyond environmental protocols due to its eco friendly design and construction supported by its operations.
* On December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, establishing customized, legally binding requirements for 37 industrialized countries and the European community to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2012.
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About the Author
Christina Famiglietti is a professional writer and editor with experience in various industries. Her most recent passion is the Mexican Caribbean, where she lives and is inspired to write about her beloved Mexico — its nature, culture, travel, and tourism.
Some Ideas to Travel Green | Earth Day 2010
From turquoise blue oceans to exuberant vegetation, Mother Earth has given us striking, beautiful places to visit, one being Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Unfortunately, as travelers our visits tend to strike the environment in a negative way.
Responsible, sustainable tourism is necessary if we wish to preserve the sustainability of the environment and the beauty of the colorful coral reefs of the Caribbean, the white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya, and the luscious, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula. There are certain actions we can take as responsible visitors to compensate for the damage we have caused and prevent further deterioration of our ecosystems.
Making these small gestures will help decrease the impact we have on natural habitats, while still ensuring an exceptional vacation as we enjoy the natural wonders of the Riviera Maya.
Before you leave for your Riviera Maya or Cancun vacation, make your home eco-friendly to help save the environment and help you save money.
*Turn your water heater to the lowest setting.
*Adjust air-conditioner or heater thermostat to the lowest level.
*Turn water off from the outside connection.
*Unplug appliances and switch off surge protectors.
*Discontinue your newspaper delivery during your vacation.
Environmentally conscious hotels and resorts with “green” policies such as Hacienda Tres Ríos in the Riviera Maya are contributing to a more responsible, sustainable tourism industry. When arriving to your resort, make these small gestures and you’ll l help decrease the impact we have on natural habitats:
*Request your room towels and sheets not to be changed everyday.
*Turn off AC, heater, lights, and TV when you are not in the room.
*Take shorter showers and shut-off the water while you apply soap and shampoo.
*Open shades for natural light, but shut them when you’re out to maintain the room temperature.
*Use biodegradable sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
*Do not feed or disturb fish, animals, plants, and other living creatures.
*Do not buy souvenirs made out of animal or plant parts.
*Do not litter and use recycle bins when available.
*Reduce your carbon footprint by supporting projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions to counterbalance the emission from your vacation, otherwise known as carbon offsetting.
Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, one of Yucatan Holidays world-class resorts, developed a set of Best Environmental Guidelines as a foundation for its planning, construction, and operation. The Green Team—composed of engineers, architects, and scientists—is in charge of following the Tres Ríos’ mission for sustainable luxury tourism in Mexico; this means ensuring the conservation of the area’s jungles, mangroves, and dunes without sacrificing luxury and comfort.
Visit the Yucatan Holidays website and discover how the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort offers you a real green travel experience for this Earth Day 2010
Kanche AC |Sustainable travel with Yucatan Holidays
Taking a vacation is not just about getting away, but about doing something special when you get there. With more than 190 countries to visit and a plethora of activities, choosing the perfect place for you comes down to a combination of options: the perfect hotel, location, and the unique experiences that a vacation can offer.
With all the great travel places found in Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula is the perfect destination for a special getaway that’s right for you. Located about an hour away from Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Yucatan Holidays, in association with Kanché AC, offers the curious traveler an opportunity to experience the mystical Mayan culture in the present while at the same time helping to conserve the natural environment.
Founded in 2006, Kanché AC works toward the advancement of rural communities through sustainable development, alternative tourism, and education. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that uses profits generated by alternative tourism to invest in socially oriented projects that help the local community. Two major goals of the organization are to improve the conservation of the environment and to create an intercultural center to preserve the traditions and cultural attributes of the region.
The tours offered provide different options for all tastes—including swimming with whale sharks, getting to know the descendents of the Mayan culture, exploring the ecosystems and jungles, among others. The small size of the group tours is designed specifically to preserve the habitat and offer a personalized visit.
Kanché AC provides local communities with the tools to be self-sustained while, in the meantime, working to conserve the natural habitat and provide the sensible, responsible, and curious traveler with a unique vacation experience.
Make your next holiday a different experience planning your vacation with Yucatan Holidays and Kanché AC. For more information, send us an email to info@yucatanholidays.com or call: 1.800.658.3141 (from US) & 0.800.520.0436 (from UK) and start exploring.
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