Watch the interview between Peter Lederer, Chairman of VisitScotland and Travelmole’s Valere Tjolle - to find out how Scotland is positioning itself for ambitious growth in sustainable tourism.

Although the United States has not ratified Kyoto, many US-based industries and multinational corporations have committed to reducing their carbon emissions. Fueled by their concern to compete with other Annex I countries, companies have taken steps to become more sustainable. Tangible evidence of this is the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), the world’s first and North America’s only active voluntary emissions trading scheme.

The system involves the reduction of all six major greenhouse gases (GHG) and supports global offset projects. Projects range from forestry carbon, ozone destruction, renewable energy, agriculture and mining. Since inception in 2003, the member list has grown to include New Mexico (first state to join in 2005), DuPont, Ford Motor Company, New Belgium Brewing Company, Sony Electronics, Bank of America and more. The Exchange expanded to the European market in 2005, with the European Climate Exchange now operating as the leading exchange in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

CCX and other carbon-based schemes provide great opportunities for companies to stay competitive, build international reputations, be more sustainable and become familiar with the newest form of currency  - carbon.

A great example of an organization that is making a difference is San Francisco-based Global Exchange. I had the privilege of working with the Reality Tour Director, Malia Everette, on their Africa programs (read the Tanzania blog entry to learn more about my experience). However, this video sums up the groundbreaking work and contributions of the organization to the global community. While most organizations focus on one or a two issues, GX addresses numerous issues afflicting societies worldwide. Peace building. Sustainable tourism. Sweat shops. Human rights. Women empowerment. Clean energy economy. And more. So watch the video, be informed and inspired to get involved with GX!

Emagazine just published an article announcing last weeks release of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) document corroborating the facts that greenhouse gas emissions cause health problems to humans. As stated in the article by Vickie Patton of the Environmental Defense, “This is a long-awaited EPA analysis that has been kept under wraps by the White House. It’s of critical importance because it looks at the

Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

extensive body of science demonstrating that global warming threatens Americans’ health and well-being.”

My first reaction to this was a mixture of sarcasm and giddy laughter. Come on now, how is this groundbreaking news that the federal government is finally ‘acknowledging’ an issue that the American public and global communities have ‘realized’ long ago? I tend to desensitize and find the humor in situations, as my adjusted response over the years to disappointing circumstances and discouraging actions of American leaders. But, behind the humor is an underlying sense of hope and feeling that things are really changing in the United States. Maybe it’s due to the fact President Bush is leaving office soon - or maybe Al Gore’s rigorous climate change campaign has finally made a dent in the most obtuse of subjects - well, for whatever reason that the federal government is exhibiting ‘change’ clearly reflects an encouraging possibility that the tides are changing for environmentalism in the United States. How much more effective it will be if the federal government supports the American community and local organizations in OUR efforts.

Plan!t Now! What does that mean, to ‘plan’? To empower communities…to work together…to prepare…to use our intelligence and not make the same ‘mistakes’ twice. Well, according to the outlook of one organization, Plan!t Now, planning is “being an advocate for the power of preparedness, focused on empowering people to develop their own solutions. But, the challenge is not only to create tools and resources for public preparedness, it’s creating a sense of urgency for preparedness itself.”

Formerly known as the Grenada Relief Fund, this organization was founded in 2004 by actor Morgan Freeman. After the 2004 Hurricane Ivan plummeted and devastated the Caribbean island of Grenada, Mr. Freeman and his small group provided recovery assistance and spread the word of Grenada’s severe dilemma to the international community. As the result of collaborative efforts, Grenada became a prime example of how to successfully recover from severe storm and hurricane disasters.

Since then, Plan!t Now has spread it’s work to regions along the Gulf Coast of the United States and throughout the Caribbean.  According to scientific predictions, increasing numbers of hurricanes and tropical storms will occur in the future designating this as an URGENT issue. With proper planning and improving the environmental quality of coastal regions, we do not have to experience the same atrocities as Hurricane Ivan in Grenada or Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. If you want to help but not sure how, contact Plan!t Now or their campaign partner, the Sierra Club! People say ‘you can make a difference’ for a reason.

In the late 1990s, I lived in Granada, Spain and visited many regions of outstanding beauty. One area that has always left a lasting impression on me is the pristine coastal area called Cabo de Gata. Cabo de Gata - Níjar Natural Park lies in the Andalusian region of Spain, along the Meditteranean coast. This marine-terrestrial conservation region is considered the most significant ecological region of the European Western Meditteranean. The park was recently awarded the European Sustainable Tourism Charter and is now included in the EUROPARC Federation list of protected areas in Europe.  The award signifies that Cabo de Gata is successfully implementing sustainable development in local tourism strategies. Personally, the news is inspiring and comforting to know that the biodiversity and beauty that allured me then is being conserved for future generations to enjoy.

In response to Al Gore’s ‘Challenge to Repower America‘, what better time to introduce a solution than now. Last week, Mr. Gore challenged Americans to become carbon-independent within the next ten years. Of course, the first response from many people is that this challenge is ‘too ambitious’ or that ‘it can’t be done’. Well, my response is that it CAN be done and plans have ALREADY been progressing in San Francisco to implement measures that can achieve Mr.Gore’s goal.

Since October 2007, a sustainable tourism program has been brought forth as one such solution for San Francisco. Tourism is the largest industry in San Francisco, that also directly and indirectly reaches EVERY other industry sector. In addition, San Francisco is world-renown for its innovative and progressive environmental conservation programs. However, no direct measures are taken to incorporate the tourism industry with the municipal conservation programs. But, by integrating the conservation and tourism sectors, the result is a sustainable industry with far-reaching impacts on the success of environmental programs. In addition to tourism’s cross-sector influence, the nature of tourism provides outreach and grassroots opportunities to impact and instill change among tourists and residents. Therefore, no other industry provides an all-encompassing opportunity to catalyze change on the scale that Mr. Gore has presented to the American community. By making San Francisco’s tourism industry sustainable - it can in turn make San Francisco a 100% clean-energy city. San Francisco has the capacity to be the city to catalzye change in the United States’ tourism industry and meet Mr. Gore’s landmark challenge.

To date, the proposed sustainable tourism program, Travel Tree, has been presented to key stakeholders such as the SF Mayor’s Office and The San Francisco Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (SFCVB). Stanford’s Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development (CESD) has partnered with Travel Tree, in providing support to research and develop the program for San Francisco. If you are interested in finding out more or supporting Travel Tree, visit www.traveltree.org or contact Rosalyn at rsalters@traveltree.org.

If you are an individual or business looking for a reputable carbon offsetting company to invest in, two highly recommended organizations are Native Energy and Climate Care.

Native Energy assists Native American communities and farmers in the development of renewable and clean energy projects. The result is a more sustainable community prospering from social, economic, and environmental benefits. A few of their impressive clientele includes; NRDC, Aveda, Warner Brothers, Clif Bar, An Inconvenient Truth and more.

Climate Care develops and manages programs around the world to reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Projects range from wind farm development in China to rainforest restoration in Uganda. Clients include prominent businesses such as Barclays, Lonely Planet, Yahoo.com, CARE International and more.

Both companies have a longstanding reputation and commitment to creating sustainable economies and combatting climate change. Take a step to support indigenous and rural communities in the USA and around the world. Incorporate carbon offsetting in your business operations and daily life now! Although it is not a solution to climate change, it does help by reducing emissions and providing sustainable solutions.

City planners are aiming to create communities that are not only environmentally friendly, but also socially, economically and culturally sustainable. For those of you interested in international eco-city developments read this interview with Peter Head. He is in charge of planning and development for Dongtan and Wanzhuang eco-cities in China.

Finally some good news in the entertainment industry! Although there is debate about which club is the ‘world’s first eco-nightclub’, the fact remains that two eco-friendly clubs will launch this year. Andrew Charalambous is the developer behind the eco-disco, Surya, that will open in north London. In the Netherlands, the Sustainable Dance Club (SDC) will launch Watt in September.

Mr Charalambous’ eco-club, Surya, will operate on wind and solar energy, with any surplus of energy transferred to the surrounding neighborhoods. To encourage clubbers to lower their carbon footprint, cyclists and walkers will receive free admission to the club. The dance floor is constructed using piezoeletricity, which creates electric charges from the pressure derived from movements of the dancers. By using this technology, it is estimated that 60% of the club’s energy will be generated from the dancers. Additional features include air flush urinals, low flush toilets and full recycling of bar materials. A portion of the club’s revenue will be donated to charity. The motivation behind Surya’s development is to practice what we preach and take action to combat climate change.

In 2006, SDC developed the concept and presented a sustainable club night, The Critical Mass, in Rotterdam’s club Off_Corso. Since then, SDC has been working in partnership with Technical University in Delft, to develop the human-powered, piezoelectricity dance floor. Other key aspects behind SDC’s philosophy include a zero waste bar, renewable energy, organic beer and sustainable business plan as the foundation of operations and management practices. The paint on the walls are heat-activated and change colors from the body heat of the dancers. Also, educating their clubbers about sustainability is another primary goal of SDC.

The efforts of both Surya and SDC are remarkable, both inspiring models for the entertainment industry to follow. In order to combat climate change, all industry sectors and citizens need to actively contribute in all aspects - at home, work and play! To learn more, check out this You Tube video about sustainable dance club technologies.