Travel Resolutions 2008

East Anglia may be renowned for its arable farming and flat landscapes, but it also offers some excellent holiday opportunities. 

Carbon footprints have become a popular way of picturing our own personal emissions of Carbon Dioxide (or CO2), the major greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. They are made up of several elements – the food we eat, the distance and way in which we travel, and the energy consumed at home – but it is generally our travel activity that dominates our footprints.

Just think, a single, long haul flight can emit as much as 10 tonnes of CO2 per passenger. On top of this, because emissions from flights take place in the upper atmosphere, the effect of CO2 pollution is increased by a factor of three. Travel, therefore, is a key player in the struggle to become carbon neutral.

In 2007, us Brits were named the world’s biggest emitters of CO2 from air travel. So, as we make our plans for the New Year, perhaps 2008 can be the year in which we each make it our resolution to reduce our own carbon footprint through our travel plans.

The prolific availability of no-frills airlines and erratic summer weather have both contributed to the sharp increase in passengers taking the opportunity to travel abroad. However, you do not need to travel far in the UK to reach a great holiday destination.

Rent a cottage by the coast…
The coast around East Anglia is diverse and beautiful, with salt marshes providing a unique habitat for many wild birds. If walking and bird watching are high on the holiday agenda, then try renting a cottage in Southwold. Located on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, the destination is as much famous for its pretty beach huts as it is the pier, re-opened as recently as 2001 and with some unique amusement arcades. 

Elveden Forest offers an excellent location for a family based activity holiday…
On the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, the area around Thetford Forest is accessible and offers a multitude of activities, from horse riding to mountain climbing. One of four ‘Villages’ located around the country, the Elveden Forest CenterParcs is also worth considering. Here you can take part in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, enjoy relaxing spa treatments, and chose between fine and casual dining. Even better, the family-friendly centre has special offers to coincide with holiday seasons, as well as January promotions.

For the more fanatical, why not plan an extreme adventure in Hunstanton, which offers some of the best kitesurfing in Europe…
Does the hypnotising view of kites ducking and diving out at sea draw you in? Then why not try a break on the north Norfolk coast, where you can join up with the team at Kite Kit and take part in some taster kitesurfing sessions, learning the exciting sport under the guidance of a fully qualified IKO/BKSA instructor and in a safe and friendly environment. Often paraded as one of the best locations to surf in the UK, Hunstanton offers a great base if you’re willing to put aside some time to learn, and from here you can easily enjoy other local attractions including a relaxing and excellent dinner at the Hoste Arms in Burnham Market and miles of calming dunes at Holkham nature reserve.

These holidays are not only great value; they’re good for the environment too. One short haul flight produces around the same amount of the global warming gas as three months worth of driving a 1.4 litre car. Just think how far you could get if you drive for three months.

Determinged to leave?
For those of you determined to escape the UK, if not only for the hope of some sunshine, with the relocation of Eurostar to St Pancras late last year, Western Europe’s city resorts have suddenly become that much easier to access by trains reaching speeds of 186mph. Indeed, travelling to Paris by train is not only more environmentally friendly than travelling by plane – it is now quicker. The French Riviera, Amsterdam, Cologne are all only a short, comfortable journey by train.

New Year's Travel Resolutions
Here’s some advice for reducing your footprint when you’re on holiday…

• Before you leave, cancel your newspaper delivery to save on wasted paper; turn off all electricity and unplug as much as you can.

• Do you really need to take a rental car? Consider public transport or hire a bike, it’s not only more environmentally friendly, it will also contribute to that other New Year’s resolution… to lose weight…

• Turn the lights and air conditioning off in your hotel room every time you leave.

• Make sure you advise the hotel that you do not need sheets or towels changing every day.

Visit the following website to learn more about your own Carbon Footprint and what you can do about it.

CO2 Calculator - http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html

(Image of Southwold Pier courtesy of Catherine Trigg and Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License)