Green travel

How can you be eco friendly on your next vacation? There are some things you can do to either take a greener vacation or offset the impact your vacation has on the environment.

When traveling by airplane realize that they use a tremendous amount of fuel. If the fuel was made from a sustainable source you might feel better about flying. In 2007 the first flight was made using 100 percent biofuel by Czechoslovakian aircraft. Virgin Atlantic flew the first biofuel passenger jet in 2008 the fuel was a mixture of coconuts and Brazilian babassu nuts. Continental Airlines in 2009 flew a commercial carrier that ran on a blend derived from algae and jatropha plants. Japan Airlines has also tested flights and believes that biofuel will prove to be more efficient that regular fuel. Boeing representatives believe that in less than three years more flights will be run on biofuels.

Until biofuels become more in use if you wish to offset your plane trip on vacation you may wish to look into carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are credits you purchase to neutralize the effects of your travel. The Environmental Defense Fund’s Carbon Offset List will give you information on all carbon-offset providers.

When out of town try to stay in a green hotel. Hotels are very wasteful buildings. They air condition rooms when no one is in them, wash linens that may not have been used, and send large volumes of waste to landfills. There are some questions you can ask to determine how green a hotel is. Ask if the hotel is owned or operated locally, if not inquire if the staff is local. Does the hotel have a recycling program for aluminum, plastic, paper, compost and grey water? Will you have the option to reuse towels instead of having them laundered every day? Does the hotel contribute to the local community? Is the hotel located near public transport or rent bikes. Does the kitchen serve local foods and use local farms for their products? Is the swimming pool sustainable and how are the grounds kept.

Another way to have a greener vacation is to go on a volunteer vacation and through eco-tourism. Eco-tourism’s goal is to leave as little impact as possible on where you go, and volunteer vacations you roll up your sleeves and work in a local community. On these vacations you will see a different part of the country or the world and feel good when you are done. Check out these sites for more information: ecovolonteer.org and earthwatch.org.

The most eco friendly vacation is what is now being called a staycation. This is where you vacation in your or close to your home town. Discover what is in your own backyard on a staycation. Visit the zoo, the local art museum, historical landmarks, sporting events, university or college events, music festivals and your entire town has to offer. Maybe even stay at a local hotel or bed and breakfast to get away from the house.