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Travel Resolutions:
Reducing your carbon footprint for the New Year
'East Anglia may be renowned for its arable farming
and flat landscapes, but it also offers some excellent holiday
opportunities.'
Carbon footprints have become a popular method for conceptualising
our own personal emissions of CO2. They are made up of several
elements - the food we eat, the distance and way in which
we travel, and the energy consumed at home - but it is generally
our travel activity that will dominate our footprint. Just
think, a single, long haul flight can emit as much as 10 tonnes
per passenger. On top of this, because emissions from flights
take place in the upper atmosphere, the effect of CO2 pollution
is increased by a factor of three. Travel, therefore, is a
key player in the struggle to become carbon neutral.
In 2007, us Brits were named the world's biggest emitters
of CO2 from air travel. So, as we make our plans for the New
Year, perhaps 2008 can be the year in which we each make it
our resolution to reduce our own carbon footprint through
our travel plans.
The prolific availability of no-frills airlines and erratic
summer weather have both contributed to the sharp increase
in passengers taking the opportunity to travel abroad. However,
you do not need to travel far in the UK to reach a great holiday
destination. The country is full of heritage, as well as beautiful
and diverse landscapes - from rugged coats to placid harbours,
mountainous lake-land, forests and moors.
Rent a cottage by the coast…
The coast around East Anglia is diverse and beautiful, with
salt marshes providing a unique habitat for many wild birds.
If walking and bird watching are high on the holiday agenda,
then try renting a cottage in Southwold. Located on the Suffolk
Heritage Coast, the destination is as much famous for its
pretty beach huts as it is the pier, re-opened as recently
as 2001 and with some unique amusement arcades.
Elveden Forest offers an excellent location for a family
based activity holiday…
On the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, the area around
Thetford Forest is accessible and offers a multitude of activities,
from horse riding to mountain climbing. One of four 'Villages'
located around the country, the Elveden Forest CenterParcs
is also worth considering. Here you can take part in a variety
of indoor and outdoor activities, enjoy relaxing spa treatments,
and chose between fine and casual dining. Even better, the
family-friendly centre has special offers to coincide with
holiday seasons, as well as January promotions.
For the more fanatical, why not plan an extreme adventure
in Hunstanton, which offers some of the best kitesurfing in
Europe…
Does the hypnotising view of kites ducking and diving out
at sea draw you in? Then why not try a break on the north
Norfolk coast, where you can join up with the team at Kite
Kit and take part in some taster kitesurfing sessions, learning
the exciting sport under the guidance of a fully qualified
IKO/BKSA instructor and in a safe and friendly environment.
Often paraded as one of the best locations to surf in the
UK, Hunstanton offers a great base if you're willing to put
aside some time to learn, and from here you can easily enjoy
other local attractions including a relaxing and excellent
dinner at the Hoste Arms in Burnham Market and miles of calming
dunes at Holkham nature reserve. These holidays are not only
great value; they're good for the environment too. One short
haul flight produces around the same amount of the global
warming gas as three months worth of driving a 1.4 litre car.
Just think how far you could get if you drive for three months.
DETERMINED TO LEAVE?
For those of you determined to escape the UK, if not only
for the hope of some sunshine, with the relocation of Eurostar
to St Pancras late last year, Western Europe's city resorts
have suddenly become that much easier to access by trains
reaching speeds of 186mph. Indeed, travelling to Paris by
train is not only more environmentally friendly than travelling
by plane - it is now quicker. The French Riviera, Amsterdam,
Cologne are all only a short, comfortable journey by train.
NEW YEAR'S TRAVEL RESOLUTIONS
Here's some advice for reducing your footprint when you're
on holiday…
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