• 19
  Jun
  2009

• What are we doing for ourselves and our planet?

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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Ever since the Industrial Revolution, 200 years ago, we the people, have been living in a way that puts pressure on Earth’s natural resources. Driving everywhere in our own cars, flying often, using stacks of plastic bags and leaving lights on everywhere we went. The planet after years if neglect and thoughtlessness, is in a bad shape as a result. The measure of the ills that we do to our planet is measured through carbon footprint. Carbon footprint is the measure of the impact an individual has on the environment through the emission of greenhouse gases.

There is so much we can do in our own small way to reduce our carbon footprint on earth. Are we ignoring the fact that making small concessions is only helping us lead a healthier life in a less polluted environment?

Did you know that approximately $1200 million worth of energy is wasted every year by TVs, stereos, laptops and other electrical appliances left on standby? This releases 4 million tones of carbon dioxide.

It may be a relief for you to know that dishwashers and washing machines are actually a lot better on the environment than washing up the clothes and utensils by hand under running water. Infact don’t pre-rinse the crockery under a running tap , instead just scrape the food scraps after a meal and load it in the dishwasher.

The distance food travels to your plate is measured in food miles. Food transport adds to the carbon dioxide emissions that are contributing to global warming. The catch here is that the further food travels the less fresh it is. It loses vitamins and its nutritional value decreases. It is healthy and less polluting to walk up to the close by local store to buy the groceries rather than drive down to a supermarket which would have heavily packaged food items from all over the world. Remember to carry your own bags and not bring home lots of plastic.

This is but a small glimpse of how we can help ourselves. Do take a minute and rethink the way we have been going about our daily routine and be assured that Earth will keep you happier for longer time. 

• 18
  Jun
  2009

• Work ethics of the Spanish

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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Doing business in Spain is similar to doing business in the rest of Western Europe. A few tips, though, may help you in developing your business relationships in Spain.

Greetings: While many Spaniards will meet each other with a kiss on both cheeks, this is not common in business relationships unless you know the other party well. It is wisest to offer a handshake, and if a kiss is appropriate, the Spanish party will initiate it. (And note that you don’t kiss their cheeks. You kiss the air while touching cheeks.)

Addressing a person: Spanish people have two first names and two surnames, composed of their father’s first surname and their mother’s first surname. Use Señor or Señora as you would Mr. or Mrs. Spaniards do not, on average, speak English as well as a Northern European. Many companies in Spain have staff with good English language skills, but an initial approach in Spanish is more effective.

Business meetings: In the first meeting, Spaniards will want to become acquainted with you before proceeding with business, so you should be accommodating and answer any questions about your background and family life. Spaniards will really check to see if you are honest and reliable, to know they can place their trust in your products or business before starting a relationship.
It is unlikely that a meeting will stick closely to a detailed agenda. Negotiations in Spain tend to be quite open with one party taking the lead, but agreements can be flexible and you will probably need to persevere in order to ensure that commitments are put into effect. Understand that your goal is to do business in Spain, not to impose a business culture.

• 17
  Jun
  2009

• Ecotourism

  
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  Author: Anupama
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Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves traveling to tranquil and unpolluted natural areas. According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism is “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Ecotourism appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Generally speaking, it focuses on volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on the planet. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism is a conceptual experience, enriching those who delve into researching and understanding the environment around them. It gives us insight into our impacts as human beings and also a greater appreciation of our own natural habitats.

The concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood and in practice is often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism, which is related to nature. This is an especially frequent malpractice in the realm of Jungle tourism. Critics claim that these greenwashing practices, carried out in the name of ecotourism, often consist of placing a hotel in a splendid landscape, to the detriment of the ecosystem. According to them, ecotourism must above all sensitize people to the beauty and the fragility of nature. They condemn some operators as greenwashing their operations: using the labels of “green” and “eco-friendly”, while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways.

For many countries, ecotourism is not simply a marginal activity to finance protection of the environment, but is a major industry of the national economy. For example, in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya, Madagascar and Antarctica, ecotourism represents a significant portion of the gross domestic product and economic activity.

• 16
  Jun
  2009

• Retiring Abroad

  
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  Author: Anupama
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“When the same pension amount can get you more and better quality of living abroad then why not?” is the question many in the retirement age groups are asking themselves and making the move. In most cases the children and grandchildren have also moved out of the country and living closer to them seems to make more sense. These are some of the reasons that retirees are heading abroad for a relaxed and leisure life. The Hastings couple in their 60s is one such example who moved from UK to the sunny beaches of Spain. “We can walk to the beach in 20 minutes, the bills are half what they were in England and our dustbins get emptied every day,” say the couple. 

According to AOL Money & Finance, Panama City, Malta, New Zealand, Uruguay and Mexico are the top 5 cities for retirement. The results were based on the following parameters: living factors in safety, infrastructure, climate, culture, real estate and special benefits, like discounts for retirees.

There are a few catches here and there that one should be aware of before making the plunge. New Zealand may be the ultimate best place to retire abroad, but getting a residency permit there isn’t easy for mature adults, even for those who are financially well off. On the other hand, countries like Malta and Spain welcome retirees with special visa schemes that make settling in easy. Roughing it may be an exciting adventure for a while, but it can get old fast. For your own well being, make sure the location where you plan to spend your later years can provide modern conveniences and high quality medical care.

When looking for a retirement spot, consider how similar locals’ way of life is to your own and whether or not you’ll need or want to learn the language. One another last point to be considered is the cost of living vs. inflation. Low cost of living may attract the retirees to places like Mexico or Philippines. Unfortunately, high inflation can quickly shoot down dreams of cheap luxuries as retirees in Greece and Portugal can tell you. If you’re looking into a developing country, consider the rate of inflation carefully or you may soon find the country is developing right out of your price range.