Article for the month
Making Your Next Vacation Eco-Friendly: Tips and Advice
By Jason Sumner, Special Reporter to the Away Network
To anyone who ever questioned tourism’s global impact, consider this: According to the International Ecotourism Society, if tourism were a country it would have the second largest economy, eclipsed only by the United States. In 2004, there were 760 million tourist arrivals worldwide and that number is projected to reach 1.56 billion by 2020. Not surprisingly, something as trivial as a disposable plastic water bottle in the hands of every tourist has a profound effect on the planet.
That doesn’t mean you have to spend your hard-earned vacation days in the backyard lounge chair to be environmentally conscious. But for people looking to take an eco-friendly vacation, there are lots of ways to minimize your impact. You can start by packing a reusable water bottle, and while you’re at it toss in some soap and shampoo. (All those hotel mini-bottles add up.)
Next, get rid of unnecessary packaging. Many developing countries don’t recycle, meaning the box your toothpaste tube comes in will end up in the trash. Instead, recycle it at home, and trim down your toiletries to the essentials. Also make sure to get your house in order before you leave. Turn down the thermostat and water heater, and put newspaper delivery on hold.
Whenever possible, take the train. Trains are more efficient than airplanes, and you won’t have to deal with one-hour-early check-in times and long security lines.
If air travel is unavoidable, consider buying carbon offsets. Companies such as TerraPass, Carbon Neutral, and Carbon Fund have websites that allow you to calculate the impact of your flight, and then buy offsets to counter CO2 emissions. In turn these companies channel your money to green projects such as re-forestation, wind farms, or to help reduce the cost differential between renewable and conventional energy.
According to the TerraPass website, the 6,920-mile round trip flight from New York to London produces 2,698 pounds of CO2 per passenger. Spend $9.95 on their Puddle Jumper offset (good for 6,000 miles of air travel) and you’re almost square. For the jet set, chose the $149.95 Globetrotter offset that’s good for 100,000 miles in the friendly skies. (Just remember that the offset enterprise is not regulated, so do your homework before you buy and don’t use offsets as a replacement for responsible behavior.)
Once you arrive at your destination, use public transportation or rent an alternative fuel car. Hertz offers “green” rentals that are EPA highway-rated at 28 MPG or better. Some cars are also SmartWay certified, indicating lower greenhouse gas emissions.
When possible walk or ride a bike: You’ll burn a few calories and increase your chances of those serendipitous encounters that make traveling so interesting in the first place.
Look for lodging that’s “green” certified by a third-party auditor. Green Globe, Green Leaf, and Sustainable Travel International are among a growing number of organizations that verify the eco-friendly practices of tourism providers. The Leading Hotels of the World, which includes 440 properties, just launched its Leading Green Initiative where all guests’ energy consumption is offset by the hotel if you mention the program when making a phone reservation or book online at lhwgreen.com.
In the absence of certifications or special programs, do your own investigating. If the person at the front desk doesn’t know the hotel’s environmental policy, chances are they don’t have one. Also make sure to convey your intent to reuse linens and towels. If the message isn’t getting across, hang out the Do Not Disturb sign. And don’t forget to turn off lights, the TV, and air conditioning when you leave your room.
Buy souvenirs from locally-owned shops that sell locally-produced wares. Avoid purchasing ivory or tortoise jewelry, and crafts constructed from endangered resources or old-growth trees such as teak.
At mealtime, try to bypass chain restaurants and opt for family-owned establishments that use locally-grown, organic ingredients. Also consider cooking your own meals whenever you can. The average restaurant meal produces 17.5 pounds of CO2, while the home-cooked variety yields just 400 grams.
Before heading home, fill out a comment card or, preferably, send an e-mail suggesting ways management might increase eco-friendliness. After all, 760 million voices can have quite an impact.