Responsible travel can help conserve the environment and improve the well-being of local people.
Natural History Travels
An interest in the natural world adds much to the pleasure of visiting new places, and some people go so far as to plan their trips around particular biological interests. Provided travellers are careful to minimise their impact on the environment this form of 'ecotourism' can be very helpful by bringing cash to poor areas and demonstrating the economic value of the attraction.
A good example of this is the way that an interest in scuba diving and underwater photography on coral reefs can encourage local people to value the unspoilt nature of their reefs, and turn the photographers into powerful lobbyists for conservation when they get back home.
Planning a vacation to include a biological spectacle (maybe wintering monarch butterflies) is another way to help conservation efforts. In this case part of the cost of the visit goes towards forest upkeep. The ecotourist gets to see something special, and the local community receives an injection of cash that can help preserve a unique habitat.
The Value of Ecotourism
Sometimes it is possible to put an actual cash value on what the tourists bring in when they come looking for particular species. Birds of prey in Great Britain attract visiting birdwatchers, and the value of the Red Kite in Wales has been estimated at £2.9 million.
The unquantifiable benefits that come from developing an interest in the 'great outdoors' include the psychological benefits to the traveller. Being outdoors lifts mood. In this 'International Year of Biodiversity' (IYB2010) it is good to get out and about, and even better knowing that it is good for you!
Ecotourism and Climate Change
In some cases the whole point of a trip might be to look directly at the effects of global warming, for example going to a place where glaciers are eroding rapidly and chunks of ice are falling into the sea (see the article image of such a trip). This sort of first-hand experience can have enormous impact, but more frequently the appreciation of the effects of changing climate will become apparent in an indirect way.
Developing an interest in a particular habitat, locality, or species, will gradually develop a feel for the 'normal'. Over time changes will be noticed, some of which might be attributable to alterations in the climate. At this stage the experienced ecotourist/naturalist can sometimes provide useful species range information, and will often feel obliged to enter the debate.
There are many ways that travelling amateur naturalists can benefit conservation efforts.
Reference: 'The International Ecotourism Society'.
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