By the year 2050, it has been predicted that world population could easily reach 10 billion, with approximately 1.6 billion people trotting the globe as tourists. Due to a continuous rise in population, leading to significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions, a list of “buzz” words emerges. Examples include, “responsible tourism,” “ethical tourism,” ‘conscientious tourism,” etc. Consequently, for the eco-traveler, the question becomes, “How can I reduce my travel impact in order that future generations may have the opportunity to do so?”
Over the last 40 years, as public land use expanded, land managers such as the U.S.D. A. Forest Service noticed the biophysical effects of increased use within America’s national parks and coined the phrase, “Leave No Trace,” in the 1960’s. Twenty years later, the Forest Service adopted a formal “No Trace” program, emphasizing wilderness ethics and sustainable travel and camping practices. Based on the continued success of this program, a partnership was formed between the Forest Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. Together, they authored a pamphlet entitled “Leave No Trace Land Ethics.” Later, the Forest Service worked with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) to develop hands-on, science-based minimum impact education training for non-motorized recreational activities. http://lnt.org/about/history
Leave No Trace, an international association concerned with educating travelers how to reduce their carbon footprints and overall impact on the environment offers the following copyrighted principles http://lnt.org/learn/7-principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Furthermore, eco-tourists take only one map or brochure for the entire group they are traveling with to cut down on paper consumption. They never litter or deface property with graffiti. When visiting a natural setting, they take out what they brought in. In fact, most eco-tourists pride themselves in picking up litter that has been left by others. While hiking, camping or on a tour, they stay on marked trails, and never chop down or cut trees for firewood. A good eco-tourist knows and understands the meaning of “Leave No Trace,” that is, they leave the area exactly as they found it upon arrival.
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