Local Partnerships with global affect
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ),
the Cairns City Council and the Australian Rainforest Foundation
(ARF) have been brought together through a new program developed
by the tourism industry to showcase far north Queensland’s
world leadership in responsible tourism.
 Unveiled in Cairns last month the Planet Safe Partnership (PSP)
aims to strengthen the tropical north’s reputation as not
only being the world’s leading nature-based destination
but one which is proactive in ensuring the survival of the region’s
delicate ecosystems.
At the launch Rob Giason, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism
Tropical North Queensland, said that the organisation recognised
its role in providing an example to both the local industry and
other tourism promotion organisations.
“As guardians of the Reef and Rainforest, we promise to
ensure that these same wonders remain for our visitors’ children
and great grand-children,” Mr Giason said.
As part of its investment in the enviornment
and the planet’s
future TTNQ has chosen to support the ARFs Hero2 program with
a $5,000 donation which has also been matched by Planet Safe
Partnership participant Cairns City Council.
Each $5,000 donation will be used by the ARF to:
- Protect old growth rainforest – 1,035 m2 will be protected
in the Daintree– this will be equivalent to storing
112 tonnes equivalent of carbon dioxide.
- Plant 375 trees to establish wildlife
corridors – this
will not only help endangered species such as the Cassowary
by will also soak up 94 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the
life of the trees.
- Support the operation of our Cassowary hospital at Mission
Beach.
Roger Phillips, CEO of the Australian Rainforest Foundation
said it was fanastic to see local supporters of a global problem
signing up to the Hero2 program.
“The Foundation’s mission
is to build awareness and support for our rainforests on a
global scale but to do that we also need the support of those
people who enjoy these world heritage treasures in their own
back yard, this commitment by Cairns City Council and TTNQ
is a great start.”
Australia’s tropical rainforests are
extremely sensitive to even minor changes in temperature. The
CSIRO’s modeling
in North Queensland predicts that the habitat for many native
vertebrates in highland rainforest will be reduced by more than
50% with only one degree of warming, which will put enormous
pressure on endemic species.*
*“Sensitivity of tropical forests
to climate change in the humid tropics of north Queensland”,
Hilbert, D.W.; Ostendorf, B.; Hopkins,
M.S. (2001), Austral Ecology 26 (6), pp. 590-603
How Does Planet Safe Partnerships (PSP) Work?
To be a PSP all participants must:
- Conduct an energy Audit
(Carbon Footprint) – ie review energy
use in the
business operation through an Australian Government accredited
audit system.
- Demonstrate environmentally sustainable work-practices through certification
with a relevant and credible accreditation organisation.
- show
practical commitment to the conservation of the ecosystems
of Tropical
North Queensland.
From more information on the Planet Safe Partnership Program
visit the website at
www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/planetsafe
The Hero2 initiative gives businesses,
individuals and organisations the opportunity to actively invest
in protecting and extending Australia’s ancient rainforests
for the future.
For more information on Hero2 go to www.hero2.net.au |
