On 06/5th, the world will celebrate World Environment Day. The day has been bringing awareness to environmental issues for nearly 50 years, with over 140 nations participating in the fight for a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Each year, the focus is centred on a specific environmental issue whether it be attempting to reduce food wastage or limiting the illegal wildlife trade. This year’s theme is aimed at beating plastic pollution.
Across the world many nations and cities are doing their part to reduce plastic pollution and are limiting their carbon footprint. These same countries often promote responsible and eco-friendly tourism and therefore make wonderful holiday destinations. Know you are doing your part to promote the need for a cleaner environment by travelling to some of these great clean cities.
As you do your part to protect our Earth this World Environment Day, remember to protect you and your family with comprehensive travel insurance wherever you travel.
Copenhagen, Denmark
With the majority of the city’s residents living within a short walking distance of public transportation, the majority make use of it or use bicycles as opposed to private vehicles. This has resulted in Copenhagen producing very low C02 emissions for its size. Already the city has seen carbon emissions reduced by 20% in the last 10 years thanks to their environmentally-friendly policies.
The majority of the city’s busses use technology designed to remove nearly all nitrous oxides, which reduces global warming, and they have managed to reduce their carbon emissions through the use of wind farms. The city is also passionate about recycling and composting.
Vancouver, Canada
It should come as no surprise that Vancouver ranks as a top clean and eco-friendly city since it was the birthplace of the environmental organization Greenpeace. The city has long promoted the importance of green energy and uses hydropower. It hopes to reduce emissions by 33% by 2020. Its ultimate goal is to use only green energy for its electricity, transportation, heating and air conditioning.
Hamburg, Germany
This city has banned single use coffee pods and made efforts to limit the use of bottled water and plastic cutlery. It is also aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Poisonous household cleaners and products are being phased out by chlorine free varieties and public transport is highly encouraged by the government.
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Due to its isolated nature, Honolulu benefits from incredibly clean air due to the fact there are no neighbouring metropolises to send contaminants their way. The city keeps its beaches clean with routine cleanups carried out by its residents and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The city also aims to reduce auto emissions through its award winning transportation system, use of hybrid cars, and rail system.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland depends on its export of fresh seafood and has therefore made it a priority to create sustainable harvesting of their living marine resources. Icelandic waters are among the cleanest in the world, a symbol of its fight against the pollution of the oceans.
Iceland’s largest city, Reykjavik has won the Nordic Nature and Environment Prize and ranks near the top of the Global Destination Sustainability Index. Its use of geothermal energy creates less pollution, less greenhouse gas emissions, and cleaner air. Reykjavik along with the rest of Iceland will no doubt continue to be a leader when it comes to environmental issues
Helsinki, Finland
The installation of a complex electricity system has seen the city requiring less energy to produce its electricity. Its large network of bike paths and well developed public transport system hopes to greatly limit the need for private vehicles. Helsinki hopes to be a carbon neutral city by reducing emissions 60 percent by 2030.
In terms of air quality, Helsinki ranks as one of Europe’s best due to its small concentrations of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. Over a third of the city’s land contains parkland including around 40 nature reserves.
Calgary, Canada
The city 05/be the centre of the country’s oil and gas industry, but Calgary intends to divert 80% of its waste away from landfills by 2020. It also has stiff penalties in place for littering. The government has made great strides to create a more environment-friendly sewage system as well as limiting air pollution. Green Calgary, a local non-profit organisation, advises residents on how they can do their part for the environment while the “Too Good to Waste plan”, was created for better waste reduction and management.