Cape Winelands, photo by Sebastian Nowozin

{mnf=off} Ecotourism in the Cape Winelands of South Africa, in particular, is booming as an increasing number of visitors to the Western Cape Province want to explore the multitude of eco-friendly activities in the area. Apart from indulging in the freshest organic produce imaginable at a local farmers market or embarking on a full-moon hike through a lush green valley, visitors can also enjoy some of the best sustainable wines in the entire world.  Although you do not have to be a wine-lover in order to enjoy a day at one of the superb wineries in the region, enjoying a good glass of sustainable wine will definitely add an element of merriment to your very beneficial eco-tourism excursion.   Sustainable wines are skyrocketing in popularity Sustainable wines have been all the rage for some time and, thankfully there is no shortage of superb offerings in the Western Cape. These wine farms are...

{mnf=off} Recently, the sight of the Amazon rainforest on fire has captivated the concern of people around the world. Watching the huge swath of greenery, which provides a habitat to 10 percent of the nearly 9 million different species on earth, literally go up in smoke has struck fear into the hearts of many. Insofar as there is every indication that the forest fires can ultimately be blamed on the longstanding practice by farmers of burning to clear land for cultivation, the recent fires have raised the profile of and stirred up debate about the relationship between agriculture and deforestation. If we hold that what farmers choose to grow is largely the result of consumer demand, then eating itself becomes not just a personal choice which impacts one’s own health but also a political act - one that can lead to burning the amazon and similar destructive acts on the one hand or preserving...

{mnf=off} As boat sales reach their highest peak in over a decade, could this swell of popularity be good news for the environment too? Sailing can be a really eco-friendly way to take a vacation, since it can require very little fuel burning, and if done carefully, can cause minimal disruption to marine life. It also celebrates resourcefulness and the practical skills which are essential for future generations in order to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. So whether you’re island hopping your way to Croatia, or exploring the stunning sights of Vancouver Island, taking to the blue may provide your the greenest vacation yet.  The eco-benefits of boating One of the main advantages of sailing is that (aside from an assistance motor for boats over 16ft), you can harness wind power and enjoy the thrill of traveling via sustainable, green energy. Sailboats are also designed to cause minimal disturbance...

Over the past few decades, our efforts towards reforestation have finally started to pay off – in the United States, at least. In the US, we annually replant about 40% more trees than we harvest. However, the world at large still {mnf=off} loses about 10 billion trees per year.  That means, in only 300 years, we’ll be completely out of trees. Even though we’re moving in the right direction, more still needs to be done, or our children’s children won’t be able to see the Earth as we do today. So, what things do we need to do to preserve the Earth’s forests – and by extension, its ecosystems, climate, and natural beauty – for subsequent generations, if what we’re doing now just isn’t enough? Type Matters Not all forests are created equal. For example, the Bonn Challenge, a global reforestation initiative launched in 2011, has been joined by countries the world over....