People dreaming of a trip away but concerned about damaging the planet and communities can find comfort in conscious travel tours.
This week the record breaking temperatures experienced in the UK have made it difficult to ignore the worsening climate crisis, and how significantly it will continue to affect all of our lives.
For some, the idea of jetting away on a emission spewing jet for a holiday is an uncomfortable one, due to the world's need to cut the amount of carbon dioxide and other green house gases being released into the atmosphere.
Others may feel bad about enjoying a luxury getaway while some are struggling to get by.
Travel company Black Diamond has compiled a list of conscious travel experiences that it argues can ease such concerns.
Volunteer with The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Greater Palm Springs
The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission welcomes volunteers to support people suffering from homelessness, food insecurity and life challenges in Greater Palm Springs.
Walk-in volunteers for kitchen prep and service are welcome, as well as roles to sort and price in the charities' shop.
There are also opportunities to serve food during celebratory holidays and special events such as the Fourth of July and Easter, ensuring a chance for those less fortunate to enjoy joyful days and for visitors to connect with citizens.
Eco-boating with Click&Boat
Respect for the environment, waste management, wise use of fuel and responsible behaviour are key to boating in a non-impactful manner.
Philippe Baudet is the owner of an electric hybrid Neel 51 called Make Sense, available to rent with Click&Boat.
This trimaran is equipped with electric motors to reduce its carbon footprint. It has many eco-credentials including optimum performance and savings and operates in the UK..
Voluntourism in Yosemite Mariposa County, California
Those visiting Yosemite National Park can both enjoy the wonders it has to offer in tandem with giving back through voluntourism - a term used to describe helping out while on holiday.
There are a number of ways for travellers to get involved during their trip to Yosemite National Park in 2022 from half-day to five-day options.
They include the Yosemite Conservancy (a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Yosemite’s resources and providing enriching visitor experiences in the park) and Yosemite Facelift (an annual volunteer clean-up event).
Go shopping to help those in need
Known for its connection to music, entertainment, fashion and culture, swap shopping for thrifting in one of LA’s favourite spots and support local charities.
The Design District of West Hollywood is a mecca for shopping and style, but consuming freshly made good is a sure-fire way to enlarge your carbon footprint.
Buying clothes second hand saves money, reduces waste and contributes to crucial organisations.
Out of the Closet is a popular charity shop on Santa Monica Boulevard with everything from clothing to books and furniture.
Here, every 96 cents of a dollar goes directly to HIV care and services by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
If you're looking for somewhere closer to home that can help fill your wardrobe with second hand items, then this website has a great list of charity shops on the Continent.
Keep Collier beautiful for visitors and locals, Florida’s Paradise Coast
Keep Collier Beautiful is a non-profit educational organisation to improve waste practices in Collier County, Florida’s Paradise Coast.
Properly disposing of waste ensures the protection of the natural beauty of the coast and the health of all life there.
Tourists can get involved with litter and marine debris clean-ups, recycling and educational programmes.
There is also a Community Wildlife Habitat team encouraging gardening for wildlife and other programmes.
Take part in one of the many beach cleans to do something positive for the area, whilst enjoying the scenery and sun of the coast in Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades.
Protect the whales
With the Orca Network in Seattle, travellers can join the Whale Sighting and Education Project where observation and awareness is encouraged through reporting the sightings of the species to help protect and restore their natural habitats.
Closer to home, Responsible Travel is focused on assisting a team of biologists to collect photo-ID and ecological data on both blue and sperm whales in the Azores.
Kominka House Revival in Kyushu
Part of Japan’s eco-initiatives is the transformation of kominka houses into guesthouses, cafes, restaurants and community spaces.
A traditional Japanese farmhouse built in a distinctive and nostalgic style, kominka are incredible glimpses into authentic Japan, offering an insight into nostalgic Japanese day-to-day life.
Restoring kominka for commercial use infuses rural areas with new energy by appealing to visitors as a sustainable option.
Tour with locals to contribute to traditional communities, Japan
Learn about traditional Japanese culture and the coexistence with natural environments while contributing to local economies.
Exploring with a resident can offer visitors untold stories and lessons about the regions, while the locals can consciously guide tourists, educate them and benefit from their visit.
The residents around the active Mount Aso, a UNESCO Global Geopark, have long-lived a life focused on the preservation of their villages.
Here tourists can join a responsible tour to discover the largest active Volcano in the country while also learning of their Satoyama culture and trying traditional locally sourced food.
On the mainland, go on a cycling tour in Hida to explore the sustainable way of life the farming village leads, far from mass production and overfarming.
Support local communities along the Michinoku Coastal Trail, Hachinohe, Japan
The recently rebuilt Michinoku Coastal Trail - which connects the city of Hachinohe with Soma in Fukushima - is a great way to support the recovery of the Tohoku region from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
The local community has worked tirelessly to generate vital income and restore the region to its former glory.
Hugging the coast, the trail includes hidden Shinto shrines, forests and wildflower meadows along 1,000 picturesque kilometres. Stay in one of the many welcoming guest houses along the way for a glimpse of local life while directly supporting local families.
Adopt a coral in The Islands of Tahiti
Approximately only 45% of the world’s reefs are regarded as being relatively healthy, with the remainder being threatened by pollution and climate change.
Coral reefs regulate global climate, protect coasts against storms and provide the habitat for about 25% of marine life.
Adopting a coral is a tangible way to make a difference to help keep marine life alive. Visitors can join the Coral Gardener programme, adopt a coral and plant it back into its natural environment.
Those who participate in the programme can personally name the coral and will receive a certificate with the adopted coral’s GPS sea coordinates.
