The Ecotourism Footprint Calculator is live
Tour operators and managers of protected areas in the Mediterranean region can now design high-quality low-Footprint tourism packages thanks to the Ecotourism Footprint Calculator. DestiMED Project partners unveiled this new tool late October in Rome. Using Global Footprint Network’s data and methodology, the Calculator is designed to boost conservation of natural ecosystems by reducing impact and unlocking economic value for local communities. “DestiMED’s Ecological Footprint enables both managers of protected areas and tour operators to understand where their packages excel and where there is room for improvement. We’ve observed it can even help identify new business opportunities that support local sustainable development”, pointed out Carla Danelutti, DestiMED project coordinator for IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN-Med).
America chose the path to self-destruction. What about the rest of us?
The United States is pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement. This sets a destructive example. It is especially destructive for the US, writes Mathis Wackernagel in an op-ed published today on GreenBiz. Because climate action is not just a noble deed for humanity. It is economically necessary and benefits largely those who act. We may be dismayed about the US Federal government picking the path to self-destruction.
But there is little benefit in wasting time and energy lamenting the Administration’s choice or being mad at their stab at global collaboration. Let’s focus instead on building our respective communities’ ability to thrive in a predictably challenging future.Read the op-ed
The Footprint curriculum is coming soon to a university near you
Together with four European universities, Global Footprint Network is embarking on a three-year project to put the Ecological Footprint methodology at the core of sustainability teaching at institutions of higher learning in Europe and beyond. Funded by the ERASMUS+ program, EUSTEPs (Enhancing Universities’ Sustainability TEaching and Practices through Ecological Footprint) aims to develop an online education platform with University of Siena (Italy), University of Aveiro (Portugal), and Aberta University of Lisbon (Portugal), under the coordination of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece). Eventually, the online platform will be made available to universities worldwide. “We want to give the upcoming generation of leaders a chance to boost their ecological literacy and give them effective tools to build a future that works,” said Alessandro Galli, Director Mediterranean and MENA Region at Global Footprint Network. We cannot wait to start sharing updates with you!