Dear Reader

REMEMBER those notes that hotels used to prop up above the basin in their bathrooms, urging guests to be circumspect about the use of towels because ‘we care about the planet. . . and hope you do, too’ — or words to that effect.

You still see them, but less frequently. This must be because we’ve got the message and can be trusted not to go mad in the fluffy towel department.

But the latest ploy is for hotels and travel firms to devote sections in their directories and websites to sustainability.

I’m not sure how many guests read these little eco essays. It’s more likely a case of feeling reassured — and moving on swiftly. Rightly or wrongly, sustainability is such a leaden, overused word and a turn-off.

Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to talk about the weather without climate change raising its worried head.

It was once thought impolite to discuss politics and religion when asked over for dinner. Today, it’s climate change that’s become so divisive. Who would you rather spend a cosy weekend with — an eco warrior or climate change denier? Not an edifying choice, I’d suggest.

But, for sure, the world is hotting up. We’ve just had the warmest January day on record in the UK, and anyone heading for southern Spain (Marbella, pictured) this week can expect temperatures of 20c.

A friend, meanwhile, who was planning to take his family skiing at half-term in Italy, has just been told there’s not enough snow in his chosen resort and that he should look elsewhere.

Jet2, TUI and easyJet are all adding extra flights this year to traditional holiday hotspots — and many of those will be in September and October. Likewise, the season for cruise companies in the Med is getting longer.

That means more choice but also more CO2 emissions. The sustainability debate will be with us for the long haul.