In think this is really the buzz word for 2011. "GREEN". Awareness has now officially been created in every industry and even in our homes. After attending a Enviromental Law Workshop touching only on the basics, this was really an eye opener and really devastating to see what current situation we sit in not only in SA but our world. It is time to act now if you havent already!
African Chapter Tours have for the past couple of years been doing our homework and have been looking at the various ways in which to incorporate " green products" but in order to do this we needed to set an example and only then could we really stand up and encourage others and possible lead in the same direction, in order for us all to make a small diference! African Chapter Tours are part of the Heritage Charter Programme and were the first tour operator to join this association. Now to encourage others to follow or learn more from those making great efforts to do their bit as we will never be able to do enough alone!
So what is a green product? In a simple overview it covers many aspects that influence our environment and it is those efforts made by these individual products in the prevention or even putting back a bit of what mother nature gave us. It incorporates our accommodation establishments right to any travel related experience,acting responsibly and preventing further destruction to our enviroment as well as the inclusions of social responsibilities to create secure ecologically sustainable developments in our communities which inadvertly comes back to same concerns affecting our enviroment.
Pollution is clearly the main factor caused by human destruction . The definition of Pollution as stipulated by our national enviromental management act, means change in the enviroment caused by any of the following -: Substances, Radio Active or other waves or noise, dust or heat. Althought that is quite vague we all have a good idea what the damaging factors are.Our two most important sources under pressure is our water and air - the neccesity for all LIFE!
WE all need to implement Enviromental Management Systems if you are not already in the long run it saves money too . As indivual and small establishment we can all start somewhere! There is plenty of resource information available, so lets all act now!
African Chapter Tours will be implementing a carbon foot print rating to our packages in the near future and rating all products qualifying with our green leaf for enviromentally conscious products to guide our customers in make the right green choices!
I conclude with this proverb.. "only when the last tree withers, the last fish is caught, the last river has been poisoned, will you realise you can not eat money".... so so true!
