Global Exchange Joins Forces with EcoArts Tours

Malia Everette has been the Director of Reality Tours at Global Exchange for 13 years. She shares her thoughts on why she chose to form a partnership with EcoArts Tours on several exciting programs.

A New Year of EcoArts Experiences

As 2011 unfolds, we hope the new year brings you new growth, abundance, happiness and experiences! As a pleasant way to start the year, enjoy a short film that was shared with us by filmmaker Aine Carey. The film, The Last Dragon Kingdom, provides an inspiring look into the unique world of Bhutan.  Inspired by her experiences in Bhutan, Aine is now creating a feature film titled Get Karma, that explores the life of a young Bhutanese man aspiring to have the #1 tour company in Bhutan. We hope her films will provide you with new knowledge and inspiration to experience The Dragon Kingdom this year.

Experience The Dragon Kingdom and travel on the
Bhutan EcoArts Tour

The Arts and Climate Change Movement Emerges in New York

Lisa Phillips, the Assistant Director of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy at The Earth Institute of Columbia University shares information about an emerging, arts-sustainable program - PositiveFeedback.

"PositiveFeedback is a joint arts and climate initiative of the Earth Institute, Columbia University, the Center for Creative Research at NYU, and the CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities. We serve as a nexus for arts/science interest related to climate change, while aiming to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public perception. PositiveFeedback cultivates and supports a diverse community of scientists and artists focused on climate change and engaged in each others' work. We encourage relationships between arts and science collaborators whose research will be mutually beneficial and will inspire subsequent exploration and investigation.  Our research and public programs will yield new ways of understanding and communicating the unprecedented phenomenon of global climate change, illuminate our shared responsibility and motivate a call to action."

Read more about PositiveFeedback:
Illuminating the Science: Art and Climate Change
Science and Art Mobilize to Fight Climate Change


Indonesia's Last Glaciers from Earth Institute on Vimeo, one of the climate change videos posted on the EI channel.

Climate Change and the Arts

There is a growing movement in connecting the arts with climate change. Stemming from the negative human impacts on the environment, artists are collaborating with scientists, educators and policy makers to communicate sustainable messages through art. EcoArts Tours involves artists of all genres in environmental and cultural, sustainable travel programs. The International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) furthers environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography.  Art for Conservation presents visual arts that convey clear messages of natural wonders and environmental threats, with a percentage of art sales benefiting conservation efforts. And as shown in the documentary "Art From the Arctic", British artist and filmmaker, David Buckland, has organized three Arctic expeditions to provide artistic collaborations with climate change scientists.      

To summarize some of the thoughts from the artists involved in the film...Spending time in nature feeds back into your art. The relationship is symbiotic in that each natural place informs and envelopes you in a different way. And although you can never fully convey the feeling, humans can engage with and react to a natural place, and create art that communicates a message.

Uranium Mining Threatens Grand Canyon National Park and the Habasupai Tribe

Since induction in the National Park Service in 1919, the breath-taking Grand Canyon remains an international tourism attraction evident by the more than 4.3 million annual visitors. The immensity of the landscape extends from a river system spanning 277 miles (446km) long, with the canyon reaching up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. Hiking, camping, river trips and guided tours are many ways to enjoy and explore this vast region.

Although management of the NPS continues to work on conservation of the cultural and natural heritage, high visitation numbers have resulted in years of overuse, crowding and ecosystem issues.  Uranium mining proves the greatest threat to watersheds of the region as well as the health, cultural integrity, and economic well-being of the Havasupai People. EcoFlight provides a documentary with Roger Clark, from the Grand Canyon Trust, talking about the detrimental aspects of four uranium mines near the Grand Canyon National Park.

 

Take Action

As travelers, support indigenous communities and book your travel with Havasupai-managed services and lodges. Many volunteer options to support conservation efforts exist through the Grand Canyon Trust and Sierra Club/NPS.

A Picture Really is Worth a Thousand Words

An interesting picture that I just had to share.   

Travel Philanthropy - A Conscious Way to Travel

In the latest issue of Worth magazine, a very captivating article shares the insight of Joseph Stiglitz, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in economics.  Amidst the rhetoric of valuable information highlighting past and present economic affairs, one statement resonated with me for its simplistic, humanistic view. When asked about his parents’ influence on his chosen career path, their advice emanated a philanthropic tone. As Stiglitz recounted, “what was important was using your mind and being of service to others.” 

Philanthropy abounds in every facet of society - from corporate and family foundations, community and educational programs, and in the travel industry.  Travel has often been recognized as a method for bridging cultural gaps and creating peace. As stated by President John F. Kennedy in 1963,  

“Travel has become one of the great forces for peace and understanding in our time. As people move through the world and learn to know each other, to understand each other's customs and to appreciate the qualities of the individuals of each nation, we are building a level on international understanding which can sharply improve the atmosphere for world peace."

Expounding on President Kennedy’s notion of traveling for peace, travel as a mechanism for philanthropy is one of the most prevalent sectors of the industry today. As explained by The Center for Responsible Travel in their Travelers’ Philanthropy program, “This emerging movement is helping to support and empower local and indigenous communities by providing jobs, skills, and lasting improvements in health care, education, and environmental stewardship.”

Many travelers strive to leave a positive impact in the amazing communities and environments that had compelled them to travel in the first place. The number of philanthropic programs are increasing and available through tour operators and travel organizations around the world.

Learn how you can be a philanthropic traveler

Travelers' Philanthropy
Travelers Giving Back
The LEX/NG Joint Fund for Exploration and Conservation
SAVE Travel Alliance
Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA)