Ecotourism

Overpopulation, industrialization, urbanization and environmental pollution have disastrous effects on nature and wildlife. That is why nowadays many people try to damage the environment as little as possible. Ecotourism means travelling to natural destinations with rare flora and fauna. Its main goal is to conserve the environment and to improve the well-being of local people.

In my opinion, ecotourism gives us an opportunity to broaden our mind, to discover new ways of life, to meet interesting people and to improve our knowledge of history and geography. It provides funds for conservation and jobs to local people because tourists use local transportation, hotels and markets. Besides, ecotourism helps people understand the environment around them, makes them respect different cultures and be careful with nature.

However, ecotourism may have some negative aspects. The increasing number of tourists may damage the local environment. Some tourists don't understand the negative consequences of their visits. Many of them don't know how to behave and don't follow the main rule of ecotourism 'Leave nothing behind you except footprints and take nothing away except photographs'. They pollute drinking water, pick up rare flowers, disturb wild animals, purchase souvenirs made from the skin of endangered animals or leaves of rare plants. Searching for 'untouched places' tourists move off the beaten path and scare away animals.

First and foremost, ecotourism is education. That is why before visiting some remote area tourists should learn as much as they can about its flora, fauna, local people, history, culture and traditions. It is also useful to learn a few words of the local language. The more information you learn, the more you will get out of your trip. It is very important to be open-minded and respectful.

Don't forget about conservation and careful attitude to the environment in your everyday life. Follow the rule, 'Preserve and improve'. And remember that Nature is very fragile and we ought to take great care of it like a loving mother who takes great care of her only child.

Environmental Protection

The Earth is the only planet that people can live on, but nowadays they seem to be doing everything to make their home unfit for living. Industrialization has brought us into conflict with the natural environment. Our planet is in danger. Air, water and land pollution have disastrous consequences which threaten human life on Earth.

In my opinion, very much can be done by an average citizen. People have to be smart about such things as driving a car or using electricity. Whenever we drive a car, we add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. To make our planet cleaner and to use less energy we can try carpooling. That is when three people go together in one car instead of driving three cars to work. We can also use public transport, ride a bike, or walk. People can save electricity by turning off lights, TV-sets and computers. We can use less washing up liquids to keep the water clean. We can also plant trees, bushes, flowers. We can feed birds in winter. Besides, we can buy products grown locally that don't use much energy or don’t need to be transported.

I strongly believe that everybody can help recycle waste by collecting litter and by sorting rubbish into different categories. Paper, glass and plastic can be sold to recycling companies. Recycled waste can be made into new products and it can help save natural resources. Some waste can also be used to produce electricity. In my opinion, it would be great if recycling centres paid people for the rubbish they brought in because recycling is an interesting and profitable business.

But a lot of people still think that there is little they can do to help the environment. They are sure that it is the duty of the government and big companies to make our planet cleaner: to recycle waste materials, to protect rare animals and plants, to install antipollution equipment and so on. But they are wrong. Everybody must take part in reducing pollution.

To conclude, the Earth is the place where we live, it is our home and our task is to protect it and value all that it gives us. If we want to be healthy, to drink clean water and to breathe fresh air, we should take care of the environment and help to improve our life on Earth. We should give a chance to next generations to live in a peaceful and beautiful home.