Do you want your trip to have a positive environmental impact? Find out how you can support countries working to keep environmental, human, and ecotourism rights strong.
Ethical Traveler has done research, collecting data from a group of well-respected sources, such as the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), a joint initiative between Yale University and Columbia University, the United Nations Development Organization (UNDP), and Amnesty International, the top-ranking countries that have great strides in protecting the environment, social welfare and human rights. I enthusiastically present the list for this year 2011 (in alphabetical order – not in order of merit).
1 – Argentina
Argentina continues to impress with its environmental initiatives, in particular an innovative law designed to protect glaciers.
2 – Barbados
We applaud Barbados for the organization of the Green Caribbean Economic Conference for 2011, to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the development of a green economy in the region.
3 – Chile
Chile also obtained highs, especially in sustainable fisheries and forestry.
4- Costa Rica
Costa Rica returned to the list, after falling last year, due to increased efforts by newly elected president Laura Chinchilla to address other social issues.
5- Dominica
Dominica was the recipient of a Green Globe for sustainable ecotourism.
6 – Latvia
Based on UNICEF scores on infant mortality rates, they are an indicator of social well-being. In this category, Lithuania and Latvia take the gold medal.
7 – Lithuania
This country is one of the ones that has made the most efforts to enter the top 10.
8 – Palau
This country has declared that the waters belong to marine animals, such as dolphins, sharks and whales, and their hunting is strictly prohibited.
9 – Poland
Barbados was the top-ranked ethical destination countries in this year's index, followed by Poland.
10- Uruguay
Uruguay has been absent for some years in the Top 10, but deserves its place again this year, because it has the highest level of human development in Latin America.
As Ethical Traveler reminds us, every adventure and trip is an opportunity to support the places and people who are doing admirable things about humanity, the environment, and our home, the earth.
Authors: Santiago
