Green is in. In the age of Nobel laureate Al Gore, melting icebergs and stranded polar bears, with Wal-mart promoting eco-friendly business practices, with federal solar energy tax credits for John Doe and the stock markets hyping clean energy companies, shouldn’t travel go green? Yes. Shouldn’t everyone be pulling an oar? Yes. Here’s what you need to do.

Well, the easiest way is to use some horse sense and avoid gas guzzling trips, like airline travel and long drives. Find something you like in your own backyard…not literally speaking…I mean, some vacation spot close to home. California has a little bit of something for everyone…Snow or sun, water or fire ( well..you can always come to San Diego, if you’re interested in wildfires…), mountains or plains, bustling metros or dense forests… You name it, we got it. I realize it’s not easy to forego that long dreamed of vacation to the Taj Mahal, and it’s no solution to go back to the stone age, but until such time as we solve this little global warming kerfuffle, maybe you might want to help out mother nature. If it’s any consolation, you can still fly, and balance it by buying carbon offsets. More details here, along with additional tips to ensure a green flight.

Secondly, you could easily decide to patronize only certified green businesses. Web directories like the International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and Planeta.com provide categorized international listings of eco-friendly companies in the travel biz. Sustainable Travel International lists destinations which do their best to make your holiday as green as possible. You can also map your way to greener travel. John Hanke, Director, Google Maps & Earth, in a post on Google’s official blog, says “Did you know you could go kayaking in Las Vegas? Or rent a hybrid limo service in LA? Or stay at a Disney hotel in Orlando that recycles its water? These are a just few of the stops documented in our video-enhanced Google Maps mashup.”

While it’s good to be aware of your eco travel options, and do your bit, there’s always a chance that you’ll be had by unscrupulous operators taking advantage of your eco-consciousness. Richard Hammond, The Guardian, has some tips to avoid being ‘greenwashed’. The New York Times has a priceless list of ski resorts which use clean energy. If you are employed by California State, then please read this page before you set off on official state travel. Here’s a primer on how to select an environmentally friendly hotel.

Web Links: Eco-friendly Accomodation, California ; Eco Lodges

Posted on December 9th, 2007 by PLing
Filed under: Travel Tips, World