European Environmentalism and A Love of Animals: My Findings in Paris, London, and Edinburgh

When we travel our senses are wide open to new experiences – we take in the sights and smells, the fashion and culture, and the people (and personalities) responsible for all of it. On a recent traipse around Europe, with stops in Paris, London, and Edinburgh, I was determined to experience as much of these three great cities as I could, in just 10 days. I was surprised and pleased with what I saw and experienced when it comes to environmentalism and efforts to be a bit kinder to the flora and fauna around us, including our dear pets!

Green Tourism isn’t a new concept — I simply haven’t been overseas since fall of 2019, when I visited Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Shortly after that the world shut down for COVID and I suppose I lost touch with the environmental efforts being made outside of the United States. In our day-to-day lives and interactions, we can become a bit blind to what is around us all of the time. Stepping off of a plane or train, visiting one country after another, and realizing how the people there are tackling global climate issues, was refreshing.

At the airport in Edinburgh, Scotland the high-tech world of air travel is blended with a sort of rewilding effort, just outside the terminal doors. In an effort to enhance Scotland, obtain net zero carbon, and support the surrounding neighborhoods, areas of wildflowers and tall grasses have been planted and cultivated. Not only does this do good for the environment, but it has something of a calming effect on travelers.

Did I stop to smell the roses? Well, there weren’t roses, but the yellow, white, and red flowers against the diverse, vibrant green grasses were a pleasant treat to walk past. I did, not surprisingly, stop to take a photo or two!

Also at the Edinburgh Airport are highly visible efforts to recycle, including a deliberate effort to educate travelers about the special process used to recycle coffee cups, which need to be separated out from other recyclable materials. I imaging there are a LOT of coffee cups used at the airport, so I hope travelers take the time to read the signs and make the effort to make a difference.

Are these efforts unique to Europe? No, of course not, but it is so nice to see! The signage, containers, and their placement are all new to my American eyes, so they truly do stand out. I took note.

At the John Muir birthplace museum, in Dunbar, Scotland, even the bathroom is fair game when it comes to convincing visitors to think before they act. Signs cautioning women not to flush sanitary products are prominent, as are more general signs urging all visitors not to flush anything (besides what naturally should be) down the drain. “We’ll meet again…” declares a sign that is rather explicit in describing what should NOT be flushed. Put it in a bag and “Bin it!” rather than flush it.

All of this is very appropriate, given John Muir’s love of nature, the United States National Parks, and all the creatures that inhabit that space. That’s material for a future blog post.

We found that even our hotel was committed to environmentalism. Planet 21: The ACCOR Sustainable Development Program — “We have made 21 commitments to act together for the well-being of our world. Care for the planet? Please step in.”

“Accor has a longstanding history as a leader in environmental stewardship dating back to 1994 when Accor first established its Environment Department. Accor has adopted numerous solutions to contribute to the development of local communities, reduce water and energy consumption and limit the environmental footprint of its hotels.” (AACOR Website – see below)

Earlier in the trip, exploring the streets and attractions of Paris, it was the bike share that was a familiar, highly used, alternate method of transportation. We enjoyed so much more of Paris than we otherwise would have because the bikes were available to help us get around. This was the environmentally kinder method, an alternative to taxies and Ubers.

In Paris, London, and Edinburg I realized that these efforts were so pervasive that they were in the train stations, on the streets, and in storefront windows. Travelers were just as likely to need to collect a bike as to collect a suitcase. Water stations are easy to find. Free energy advice and free energy assessments are available. You could give a gift of gin or rum and shop for eco-friendly clothing.

The concern for environmental issues and our environmental future extends to the animal kingdom. Everywhere we went there was evidence of a genuine love of dogs, with our canine friends being welcomed into hotels, shops, and even restaurants. There were treats and water bowls made available wherever we went. Puppy pit stops and special discounts for pet owners were enticing customers, making them feel welcome. I almost wished I had a dog by my side, to take advantage.

Even the trains in Scotland were pet-friendly. One sign read: “Yes, he’s toilet trained.” So, bring him along and let’s go!