Wildlife Trusts go too far

Now I'm very keen on conservation - passionate, you might say - and have been for years.  It must have been in the 1980's or early 1990's that I had a letter published in Caterer & Hotelkeeper (I was very involved in the hospitality industry in those days) begging hoteliers not to leave bedroom televisions on standby and pointing out that, if every TV and video was turned off, we could close down two power stations in the UK.   It seems that the rest of the country is beginning to realise how we can each make a difference by being respectful of the resources we have and not wasting them.

HOWEVER (and there's usually one of them, isn't there?) I really do think the Wildlife Trusts are going too far.  The advertising executive for their magazine, Natural World, phoned up yesterday to remind me to send copy for the next edition.  As the conversation was finishing he took a big breath and told me of their new policy:  I am not allowed to advertise overseas holidays.   

Now air pollution is a major problem - we all know that - but this is a rule too far.  Are the Wildlife Trusts going to tell their staff that they can't travel?   Their members?   Maybe someone should mention it to David Attenborough.   Perhaps the Wildlife Trusts should consider how "green" it is to produce their magazine in the first place:  think of the trees cut down, the chemicals in the print, the energy to produce it and, of course, the fuel used in distributing it.

As a tour operator and a conservationist I am, of course, aware of the damage international travel does to the environment.  But I am also convinced that, by seeing the countries we are visiting and working with the local people, we can contribute to their economy and educate (in the nicest possible way) the folk who travel with us.

So put that in your pipes and smoke it, Wildlife Trusts - except, of course, that would create air pollution!

Comments

[Helen Bryett]

That is very surprising Libby, when they organise and publicise in the Trust magazines, their own wildlife holidays in foreign parts.