I expect that many of the readers of this blog feel a bit of nagging guilt about the impact of their lifestyle on the planet, and not just the planet but on the people with whom we share it. What we eat, what we wear, where we travel etc etc – all those things have impacts on the much wider world. And they are choices we make so they are actions for which we have to take some responsibility. Well, I’m going to explore some of those issues over the weeks ahead from my own perspective. No preaching, no definitive answers – some of these things are so, so difficult.
A while ago I asked you where I should go on a trip to enjoy myself.
I gave you two scenarios and this was your advice was.
Q1 Imagine I am going to spend two weeks touring around one of these countries – enjoying the wildlife, landscapes and cities. Where would you send me to have a good time which is relatively guilt-free?
Q2 Imagine I am going off on a touring holiday of about a month – enjoying nature, landscapes and cities. Where would you send me to have a guilt-free and enjoyable time?
So where am I going? No firm plans yet.
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I was looking at a density map of lynx, bear and wolf for the alpine region a few years ago. Slovenia looks pretty good. I also have a friend in Sheffield who runs wildlife tours to Roumania with some Romanian friends. They get the Danube Delta and Wallcreepers in the Carpathians. You could go there on the train.
Catch the Portsmouth – Santander ferry – enjoy the whales and seabirds then Spain is your oyster though the Coto Donana is a long way off!.
I think you hit the nail on the head with your first sentence. The problem is we are all hypocrites. We moan about climate change but we do things that make it worse when it comes to pursuing our own selfish objectives. I can remember getting very cross about Trump’s recent decision on the Paris CC agreement but I heard about it on the car radio and, actually, the irony of that has only just struck me. We argue that governments should spend money more wisely to help tackle the world’s problems but we all (almost all) have a certain amount of disposal income and we are in 100% control of how it is spent. Do we spent it selflessly on helping to alleviate problems (and we could very easily – there are plenty of excellent charities out there) or do we spend it selfishly on things that are beneficial only to ourselves? It’s almost always mostly the latter.
You would be well advised to visit the Serrania de Ronda, Andalucia, Spain. Easy access to mountains, wildlife, great food, wines and a wonderful people. Not to mention a reciprocal offer if you remember the one made to me at the Birdfair.
I tried to do this, Peter, and a volcano erupted to stop me! I’m not sure if that was some kind of message.
You really must try again Lyn, it is so worth the effort.
If you make it to Spain, let me know, even if you don’t make it to Extremadura. Can point you in the direction of all sorts of great places, cities to countryside and some brilliant bars…
Your guilt free question is of course about more than just carbon emissions but I would be fascinated to hear answers to questions like I have a transport carbon budget of a maximum of 250kg. What is your best holiday recommendation including details of travel?
I’m surprised that people are recommending Poland given the current disgraceful and illegal state-sponsored destruction of the Bialowieza. I for one will not be going to Poland anytime soon.
North Wales has some stunning scenary and great wildlife. Also fairly carbon guilt free
T. Cooper: “Doctor, when I raise my elbow – like that – I get this pain in my shoulder.”
Doctor: “Stop doing it, then”
It’s the same with guilt.
If you’re that worried how about a walking tour of Northants? Otherwise do whatever you want while trying to do as little harm as possible.