Expert tells how holiday flights affect climate change

10:23am Wednesday 18th April 2007

TICKETS are on sale for Al Gore's Live Earth and Richard Branson has donated his travel firms' profits to the cause - but what can York residents do to reduce global warming?

That's the question posed by Gary Haq, a climate change expert at the University of York's Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), who is urging residents to rethink the real cost of a cheap holiday in the sun.

At a Question Time-style meeting next month members of the public will be invited to discuss the impact of their travel as part of Climate Talk - a year-long project ran by the SEI to raise awareness about our carbon output.

Dr Haq, research associate at SEI and co-ordinator of Climate Talk, said: "Travel choices have an impact on the planet, and are instrumental in reducing our carbon footprint. The choices you make on a daily basis have a massive impact on climate."

Transport represents 23 per cent of the total carbon footprint of the average North Yorkshire resident.

"This reflects high car dependency and love of holidays abroad," Dr Haq said.

He added the emissions when flying were three times as much as at ground level, because of the aeroplane's proximity to the stratosphere.

"Flying is a tremendous concern because it is one of the fastest growing industries and one of the most polluting," he said.

On average, a resident from our region flies 3,969 kilometres outside the UK every year for holidays and business.

This is the equivalent of every single person in Yorkshire and Humber making two return trips from London to Berlin.

Dr Haq said Yorkshire's climate was 0.5C hotter than it was 120 years ago. Wetter winters correlated to rising sea levels - at a rate of between 1.5 and 3.6mm a year along the North Yorkshire coast.

Dr Haq said those who wanted to be green and travel abroad could do so by paying to "offset their carbon" - but it should only be used as a last resort.

The public seminar, in Northallerton on May 24, is by ticket only.

Anyone wishing to attend should phone Jenny on 01904 432897, or email info@climatetalk.org.uk.

For more information visit www.climatetalk.org.uk.

Going green in the heart of the moors

IF you're looking for a holiday with a difference this summer you might consider heading to the North York Moors National Park.

For this summer holidaymakers are being offered a green getaway.

They can stay in the country's first eco-friendly hostel in Lockton, near Pickering, and join rangers in completing tasks to improve the local countryside, while learning many new skills and meeting a whole range of new people.

Volunteers will be working in two locations in the national park, both of which are close to Alfred Wainwright's 190-mile coast-to-coast walk.

The first is in the rural community of Sneaton, while the second lies in the heart of the moors in Glaisdale.

There are activities for volunteers in the evenings, including social outings and wildlife watches, plus a day trip around the park.

Sally Ann Smith, events and exhibitions co-ordinator at the national park, said: "Our eco-working holiday is an enjoyable and extremely rewarding experience. We've had some fantastic feedback from previous eco-volunteers and some people have already booked for this year's holiday."

This is the third year the park has run the eco-working holiday. In previous years, volunteers built a boardwalk and performed vital maintenance to footpaths and steps in Little Beck Wood. They also installed steps along a badly eroded hillside above Goathland railway station.

The seven-night holiday runs from August 17 to 24, and is available to everyone aged 18 and over. It costs £195 per person, which includes transport to and from York Station, accommodation and food.

The hostel boasts 26 eco-features including water harvesting systems, compost toilet and solar panels. It was the first eco-friendly hostel to be opened in England and Wales back in March 2005.

To find out more, phone Sally Ann Smith on 01439 770657

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