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I'm in the camp of opinion that this summer's weatherÌýwas nowhere near as bad as some folkÌýbemoaned, but nonethless, I confess to escaping our temperate climes for a fortnight's holiday abroad.Ìý

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After recently snorkelling and free-diving on the beautiful reefs of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, I've been ponderingÌýthe true environmental cost as weÌýjet away to dodgeÌýthe vagaries of the British climate.

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And yes: I feel somewhat guilty. And that's despite the resultant tan and underwater photos of over one hundred species of fish.

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Ok, so here's the guilt-trip: Ìýfirstly there's the carbon 'footprint' issue of taking the taxi to the airport; then the 6-hrÌý'plane journey; the coach at the destination; and running the hotel room aircon as desired, day and night......Ìý all potentially adding to mankind's key role (at least according to scientific consensus)Ìýtowards our .

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And allÌýputting pressure on coral reefs across the globe - including those I was there to enjoy - before I even put a toe into the water.

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Climate change is the major current threat to reefs, according to the , and the most serious consequence being a highly destructive phenomenon termed .Ìý

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But I was really struck by how displacing ourselves fromÌýthe BritishÌýweatherÌýwreaks much more immediateÌýdestruction for reefs.Ìý And it made depressing viewing, armed with a facemask and peering beneath the Red Sea's azure waters.

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Holidaymakers flock to the sun-kissed Sinai every month, bringing increased footfall - quite literally - across its delicate coral.

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I witnessed and photographed acts of mindless marine vandalism: large sections of pristine corals - growing for decades - sent tumbling down the reef face in an instant, as tourists trampled about, their feet (and flippers)Ìýoften set-down with complete lack of care.

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Whereas I (and the majority, in fairness) behaved as if tip-toeingÌýacross someone's wonderfully-laid flowerbed; others, it seems, acted as if they were trampling a ploughed field in wellies.

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And all this in one of Egypt's foremost Marine Parks, where such behaviour carries a risk of hefty fines. I wondered how our nation would react if holidaymakers roamed the New Forest armed with chainsaws.

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Whether from the coral bleaching of global warming, or wrecking from increased tourism, the world's reefs are paying a heavy price as a result of climate change and our jet-set desire for climate 'evasion'. It's estimated around 20% of coral reefs have already been lost.

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A statistic worth thinking about, if - like me - you are fortunate enough to escape our shores and snorkel amongst these majestic seascapes.Ìý