As of this writing, Taiji, Japan remains ground zero for the capture and distribution of wild dolphins to amusement parks, dolphinariums, and swim-with-dolphin programs worldwide, fetching as much as $200,000 for a trained dolphin.

Us travelers need to remember that there's no guarantee that these breathtaking, life-altering and enriching cultural and environmental spaces will be there for our grandchildren and generations to come.

Humanity can predict what happens to this planet, but in order to do so, we have to work together. In honor of Earth Day 2016, I hope everyone can be affected by some of this information presented above in the same way that I am and do what you can to help in the most effective way possible.