The Power of a Carbon Bomb

The world’s wetlands contain approximately 771 billion tons of greenhouse gases, namely carbon dioxide and methane which is equal to one fifth of the entire earth’s store of carbon.

If the world’s wetlands are destroyed they could release this powerful carbon bomb and unleash a climatic catastrophe upon the planet. As if we weren’t in bad enough shape as it is. Climate change and development are destroying large areas of wetland, and as they are drained, or built upon, their huge stores of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.

If all of the wetlands on earth released all of their store of greenhouse gases, there could be a rapid and catastrophic rise in global temperatures. The likelihood of all these gases being released is, of course, very slim. But even a fraction would have a significant impact.

Wetlands include swamps, marshes, river deltas, river flood plains, lagoons, mangroves and even peat bogs and tundra. These wetlands account for approximately 6% of the planet’s land surface, but store 20% of it’s carbon. In the past these wetlands have been destroyed, being viewed as an impediment rather than an aid to civilization. In the past century almost 59% of these wetlands have been wiped out worldwide. This has occurred through drainage for agriculture mostly, although other types of urban development have also contributed, such as peat cutting and groundwater pumping.

Rising sea levels could also change the salinity of these wetlands and in some cases inundate them completely. As with so many global warming issues, it is virtually impossible to predict the exact impact of this “carbon bomb”. However what is for certain is that it is cheaper and far more viable to rehabilitate the wetlands rather than trying to build artificial flood control to stem the flow of more frequent and devastating storms and floods, likely in a warmer world.

A more difficult issue to deal with is the northern tundra where billions of tons of carbon are locked up in the frozen ground. As global temperatures rise this will be released, fuelling more global warming in an unending vicious circle. This release may be unstoppable in the northern climes but there is still time for the warmer wetlands to be rescued.

I guess it is all down to priorities once again. Wetlands have a poor public image as being a considerable waste of land which could be used for more beneficial purposes. And yet we are much more in favour of saving the rain forest.  Both the wetlands and rain forest need to be preserved in equal measure, and maybe if we are better educated about the environmental benefits of the wetlands then we may yet stave off the carbon bomb.

About the Author

Mark Boardman BSc dip.hyp is a leading author and expert on world weather. For more information about global warming and the weather, go and look at these sites.

Mark’s Hypnotherapy Site.

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Organic Spas In Australia – From Dreaming To Luxury Travel

When compiling a list of things to do on a luxury travel itinerary, a visit to an organic spa would come somewhere close to the top and generously interspersed throughout, depending on the length of your travel. Well, the choices are many at most luxury travel destinations. Here’s why a trip down under to Australia is worth serious consideration.

Ask anyone who has travelled to Australia and they’ll have tales to tell of the tough immigration policies that won’t even let you bring along a wad of gum from abroad. While immigration officials are not the friendliest of folks, they most certainly do not derive any perverse pleasure from denying you the right to bring along a pretty orchid from Singapore or your pet tarantula from Africa just to see the gloom flood your face. They are merely doing their job. And it is their job to protect the fragile ecosystem of this unique landmass, down under, from foreign organic matter that may disrupt or even destroy the delicate balance.

For 50,000 years or more, the aboriginals have inhabited this part of the world and lived in harmony with the land, the water, the vegetation, the seasons, the wildlife, the rain, and the rock. They left no footprint on any of these elements unless it was a playful hop, skip, or jump that benefited both ways. They lived off the land, on the land, and by the land, as one with the land. They didn’t have hypertension, strokes or diabetes. What they had was clear skin and eyes that shone. They were Dreaming; the eternal truth that links the past, present, and future, and the people to their land.

Now what would this have to do with luxury travel, you might well ask. Having come to the sad conclusion that the faster the rat race the wearier the soul, people embark on luxury travel as a means of solace away from it all. They eagerly look around for new outlets, fresh pastures, and healthier alternatives to achieve that nirvana. The good news for all is that the Dreaming has been re-discovered here in Australia. More and more people are turning to the ancient earthy wisdom of the aboriginals to figure out modern ills. What was once considered good at best for some novelty value has now come to be recognized for its intrinsic truth. Now isn’t that the final destination of all travel?

The wisdom of the aboriginal way of life is now increasingly adapted to main stream life, but nowhere as much as in the world of luxury spas. The word organic that was bandied about as casually as bananas by monkeys, has now assumed its true significance. It has taken on its authentic avatar in the organic spas that are now standing apart from the crowd with their understanding and adaptation of the Dreaming. Luxury travel has now found its newest pasture-one that has fresh, natural, and least processed products that your skin and soul will be grateful for.

The other side of luxury travel is now undoubtedly sustainable travel. It’s time to show the door to petrol guzzlers, and institutions with monstrously big carbon shoe prints. In the world of personal care, now is the time to bid adieu to parabens, petrochemical bi products, dimethicones, and a variety of chemicals also used by morgue technicians to preserve dead bodies. You have an alternative that is pure, natural, and not tried on some poor guinea pig in a cage. Organic spas guarantee the use of such clean products.

Organic spas are all the rage in major Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane which are also big time luxury travel destinations. A commitment to the well being of the planet and the welfare of the customers makes these ventures a strong link in the chain of sustainability. Some of these spas have extended businesses where they grow their own raw materials. Great care is taken to preserve intact the goodness of all materials used. Fair Trade practices are followed wherever possible when goods are sourced from abroad. Active collaboration or advice from the aboriginal people is a great way of enhancing lives in more ways than one. Organic farming of source vegetation required to create creams and emollients becomes a source of employment for aboriginal communities. In return we get the invaluable in terms of ancient wisdom.

Luxury travel in search of authentic relaxation and spa treatments, where all side effects are of the benevolent kind, are made for each other concepts. ‘Have money will spend’ will have better outcomes when that money is spent responsibly. Giving back to nature might not be on everyone’s good deed for the day list. Mainly because most people don’t think that far, or if they do, they can’t think of many ways to do it other than refusing the odd plastic shopping bag. Organic spas are where you can give as good as you get. And down under is where it’s at right now. Let’s sustain this blue marble we call home and replenish the natural glory as best as we can.

About the Author

Justine has been a journalist for 20 years and is a contributor to
Just The Planet
, the online luxury travel magazine for independent travellers. Read more about
luxury spas
around the world and discover more
luxury getaways
here.

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