World Environment Day
World Environment Day is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. With metropolitan cities throughout Brazil and India becoming more polluted as well as other cities closer to home, it’s time for us to take action.
The theme this year for W.E.D. is Think.Eat.Save: an anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourages everyone to reduce his or her ‘foodprint’. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every year 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted. The shocking statistic is that 1 in every 7 people in the world go to bed hungry, and the fact that more than 20,000 children under the age of 5 die daily from hunger is quite hard to comprehend.
By choosing to buy locally, we can ensure that the food we eat is not flown halfway across the world, thereby limiting our emissions and supporting our local communities. Our clients understand the importance of protecting the local environment. Here are just a few initiatives that they are doing to ensure the future of our planet is a healthy one.
Sustainability and the environment have been at the forefront of Inkaterra‘s ethos since its inauguration in 1975, and they continue to integrate their sustainable business practices into all aspects of their operations. From recycling initiatives, conservation (inc their Spectacled Bear Project) and educating the local environment on ways in which to protect the planet, it’s no surprise that Inkaterra has an array of awards for their efforts towards conservation and sustainability.
By ensuring they purchase locally, Inkaterra are able to enhance the economy of the communities surrounding each property and cut down on transportation. The majority of produce at Inkaterra comes from local farms that are run by both the Inkaterra Association and local native communities.
In a similar way, explora also understands the importance of locally produced food and has recently planted and grown an organic garden on Easter Island, all without pesticides or chemical fertilisers. explora travellers can now look forward to fresh, organically grown lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes, ciboulette, zucchini, bell peppers, sweet peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, melon, watermelon, spinach, pineapple, and more when staying at Rapa Nui. The garden is also open to explore, and guided tours are available upon request.
It’s all in the name as they say. Starhotels E.c.ho Milano adopts a zero-mile approach by only offering seasonal, locally sourced produce on its menu. Starhotels’ partnership with charity ‘Gruppo Banco Alimentare’ for food collection from the restaurant ensures that nothing is wasted, with the food then being taken to local charities and homeless people.
They don’t always promise clear skies, LUX* Resorts can guarantee you’ll have a clear conscience when staying out in the Indian Ocean. They care about the islands that are home to their properties. After all, memorable holidays shouldn’t cost the earth and that’s why they are doing their best to ‘tread lightly’. The islands of Mauritius, La Reunion and the Maldives are spectacular. Together, we can all do our bit to make sure they stay that way. Their jardins d’herbes supply the kitchens with fresh ingredients, in keeping with their desire to protect the island environment. Guests can familiarise themselves with the herbs by venturing out into the gardens, taking in the scents on a hot afternoon, and recognising the mint in their mojito for what it is: truly fresh from the garden.
And why import the water when their islands are literally surrounded by it? Drawn from the local volcanic rocks, or the ocean itself, LUX* ensures guests have refreshing water that is either sourced or purified and then bottled right on the island.