Iceland’s Absolutely Gorgeous. It Works Hard to Maintain It

All this week, I've been riveted by my pal George's Facebook feed. He's on a cruise around Iceland, and each photo of scenic splendor is more magnificent than the last. Geothermal pools, volcanic crags, waterfalls that conjure rainbows, desolate moonscapes and deep harbors surrounded by sheer mountains have all been mementos of his trip.

For sure, Iceland is blessed with gorgeous natural beauty. Maintaining that palatial beauty is critical, and Iceland is seriously committed to environmental and sustainable plans and policies to keep those scenic wonders intact. It's a point that New York Times reporter David Gelles makes quite succinctly:

85% of the country's energy comes from domestically produced renewables, primarily geothermal power and hydropower. (Iceland's government tells us that "this is the highest share of renewable energy in any national total energy budget.")

Writes Gelles: "Its land sits atop an incredibly active volcanic zone, and six major geothermal plants tap that subterranean warmth to provide heating for almost all the country's homes."

Kirkjufell volcano on Iceland's Snaefellsnes peninsula/Shutterstock

Iceland does have some pollution, he tells us, namely coming from airplane emissions and its aluminum production industry, which emits greenhouse gases. The country continues to look for solutions, Gelles says, with one company there capturing carbon dioxide and storing it underground, and another that's pulling carbon dioxide from the air.

This is heady stuff, isn't it?

Curious to know how important the environment and sustainability really are to you when it comes to making travel decisions, I headed over to Windstar Cruises Passengers-Yacht Club Facebook group, where there's always lively conversation. I asked: Do such practices influence your vacation destination?

Elliana Vera's response summed up the general tenor of the folks who responded. "Not really," Vera wrote. "However, we like to hear about them and always respect [a country's] rules and regulations."

And yet, what if you could support Iceland's commitment - and have a blast while doing so? If my pal's posts are luring me to return (I've cruised around the country half a dozen times in the past 10 years and would go again in a heartbeat), they remind me of some helpful ways visitors can experience Iceland in a climate-friendly way.

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