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14
ECOCLUB, Issue 94
objectives of the sustainability discourse
to give its primarily growth-oriented strategies the air
of social and environmental
responsibility and thus of moral soundness.
One of the other major challenges, especially for tourism,
is to prevent this from happening and to point out the limits of the
economic, environmental, and social carrying capacity of the globalisation discourse. After all, this is the very industry which,
considering its expansive development during the last decades, could almost be seen as having paved the way for globalisation
in the first place.
There is a close correlation between the potentials and opportunities and the economic, social and environmental
risks of tourism development. However, since tourism,
unlike any other economic sector, depends largely
on an environment
that is ecologically, socially and economically intact, it is also the most likely sector to offer opportunities and ways to make the
sustainability objectives compatible with the process of globalisation. This is an opportunity to be seized – especially by
development cooperation.
ECOCLUB PEOPLE
ISEL & RICARD  - Proprietors of ECOCLUB Ecolodge Mas LLuerna, Spain
Isel and Ricard were profiled on the cover of the weekly edition of XL Semanal, the
weekly magazine of a mass circulation Spanish newspaper! Brief, translated excerpt:
“OIL? - No thanks!: Climate change seems irreversible. However many citizens have
are determined to move on to action: only consume organic food, live in bioclimatic
homes, abandon the car and even invest their money in sustainable projects. They are
living proof that a world without petroleum is possible. “For us, OIL is the alternative
energy" say
Ricard Guiu and Isel Careers, a couple that for 15 years has expelled
fossil fuel from their everyday life. "Only five percent of the energy that we consume
at home stems from oil " confirms Isel. In Mas Lluerna, their three hectare farm , 40
kilometers off Lérida, no energy from the electric network is consumed. During ten
months and half every year, the sun provides them electricity for heating and hot
water. The remaining time, a hydraulic mini-turbine takes over. The story does not
stop here: they have ecotuned their car for 1,600 Euros and only consume vegetable
oil; when the weather is good, they cook with solar reflectors; in their ecological
orchard, they have exiled pesticides and other toxic petroleum by-products achieving
food self-sufficiency! Their bio-constructed dwelling incorporating bioclimatic features is built only with straw bales, wood and
glass. “15 years ago we bought three hectares of land. We felt a
duty that our actions should contribute to a solution: if
successful, to provide an example that it is possible to live without petroleum or with much less. The Sun, the water and the
land give us what we need, from soaps to hot water and food. We live modestly, we earn little money, but neither do we
have debts.
KAMAL Manager at ECOCLUB Ecolodge Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, Sri Lanka
(
by Lars Sorensen, Proprietor, Tree Tops Jungle Lodge*
“Kamal began 5 1/2 years ago, only a month after his 16 years birthday. No English at all. Like
other locals in my area. In the beginning sweeping and living at the place as a permament
person. That's necessary. That time always with another boy so they were 2.
He had left the
school the last year before o-level exam.
He had best marks in all subjects. But left school
without exam because the family had no money, no food. He had to 'find money' as he has
explained. His mother died of a cobra bite when he was 5 years old. A few years ago there was
no substitute in my absence. Now Kamal is able to handle the whole operation, only 21 years
old. Learned good English and is now a skilled naturalist guide. I can trust him - which actually
is a rare feature, when dealing with the reality of community based tourism!
He fully understands my ideas and concept and can speak for me in any context. That's particularly important in the present
situation where we are lobbying for the best future for elephants in our area. Decisions are made and will shape our and the
elephants' future.
That is a positive story from the ground level of ecotourism. And therefore this little explanation to the
feedback from mrs Ruth because she is specifically mentioning Kamal. We had people cancelling when they got to know I
wouldn't be there! Actually my whole staff concept is depending on Kamal. Locals only. I never really found other locals with
an interest in education. And an understanding of future instead of day-to-day traditional thinking. Locals only is the most
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