Earth, Wind & Power Blogazine

Caribbean Cool Destinations for the Eco Chic

 Luxe-loving travelers need not sacrifice the finer things when going green. Instead, they can hit up one of these eco-friendly destinations, tucked in the Caribbean sands, for a bit of R&R—and a whole lot of mindfulness. 

Galley Bay Resort, Antigua (pictured left)
An exotic, all-inclusive hideaway that’s known for its state-of-the-art reverse osmosis water plant, this resort recycles salt water from the sea, purifying it for fresh water uses. Future plans will allow the hotel to bottle the fresh water into reusable glass containers. How cool is that? 

The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica
Green-Globe certified for its sustainable operations and conservation efforts, the Ritz is one resort that does more than just talk about greening up. From reusing linens to providing environmental education for its guests and community, the leader in luxury is committed to protecting Jamaica’s natural resources.

Barcelo Punta Cana, Punta Cana
With energy-saving upgrades to guest room air-conditioning units, as well as the installation of an ultraviolet purifier in its water treatment plant, this beachy resort is taking the necessary steps to green up. The company's corporate social responsibility program also launched, assisting schools and students.

For more earth-friendly travel tips, visit Earth Tones.

(You can see more Green Globe certified properties here, or book vacations at any of the above resorts via Cheap Caribbean.) 

Back Issues Available of EWP & RTM

 

Did you know that our partner Road & Travel Magazine has been publishing since 1989? Among the hundreds of issues and thousands of articles published many have been dedicated strictly to environmental topics. There, in RTM's back issue section, articles have been archived back as far as 2001. Please feel free to search our back issue archives to find additional resources and articles on earth-friendly topics.

Did you know that Road & Travel Magazine was the first publication to give an award for the most environmental friendly car of the year? In 1997, RTM produced and hosted an auto awards show in Detroit which honored the GM - EV1 as the vehicle that was 'Most Likely to Change the World.'

The Earth-Friendly Award continued for several years but sadly there were so few competitors back then that we discontinued the award until more automakers joined the party. By 2009, most car companies had introduced various forms of eco-friendly vehicles from hybrid to diesel to now electric. As a result of their progress, we launched the Earth, Wind & Power Awards, which are dedicated to clean car technology. Stay tuned as we continue to expand the EWP Awards down the road.

Also visit the RTM Blog!

Please feel free to share EWP and RTM content with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We welcome and appreciate your support.

Earth Tones - A Guide to Green Travel

 

As many of you know, we are partnered with Road & Travel Magazine, a website dedicated to all things automotive, travel and personal safety on the road. What you may not know is that of all 18 categories in RTM's Travel Channel there is one that ventured out into the world of green long before it became a mainstream event, and that is Earth Tones. We encourage you to visit RTM and its earth-friendly section, where you'll find additional articles and resources for your ever changing environmental lifestyle. Please share RTM and Earth Tones with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Thank you. We appreciate your support.

Gas Saving Tips for Eco-Friendly Vacation

Gas prices have risen more than 35 percent in recent years. According to early estimates from the Travel Industry Association of America, 26 percent of people claim that soaring gas prices are stalling their travel plans.

Before you let the ExxonMobils of the world keep you from hitting the road, Concierge.com has a few gas-saving alternatives for you to consider … a way to make your summer greener...

[Read on]

Packing to Tread Lightly

No matter where your travels lead you, a footprint is always left behind. So, before you leave on your next vacation here are some tips on what to pack in order to tread lightly and reduce your carbon footprint.

When it comes to toiletries try buying small re-usable containers and filling them wit the products you need. Travel-size packages might seem quick and convenient, but all that extra packaging takes a heavy toll on the environment.

If you think ahead to where you are going, you might realize that recycling options may be hard to find. So bring a water bottle with you that you can refill, it’s better than going through plastic bottles that are not biodegradable. If and whenever possible, take your re-usable version with you. 

Travel light and take only what you need. This will make it easier to take public transportation and get around. The more pounds you carry the larger your carbon footprint.

Click here for more eco-friendly travel tips from Earth Tones.

Eco-Friendly Destinations to Stay Fit

More travelers are becoming even more environmentally conscious now more than ever. Not only that, but many travelers are looking for options that are budget friendly and offer healthy and adventurous options.

Well if there is climate you most prefer, there's a place within the states to perfectly suit your taste; it's simply a matter of blending budget and time constraints with fitness level. Below are some of our favorites.

Kenai Peninsula, AK
Hike, pedal, paddle, float and walk your way through Alaska's Kenai Peninsula where vast mountains, abundant wildlife and dazzling glaciers provide stunning scenery everywhere you turn. Backroad's Alaska MultiSport trip is ideal for adventure-seekers and wraps the package up in a pleasant six days. Families that are interested should check out the Family Deluxe Camping and Family Casual Inns version of the trip. Work on your fitness and be one with nature.

San Diego, CA
California outfitter Hike Bike Kayak San Diego is the city's first and largest multi-sport tour operator offering year-round outdoor adventures like surfing, snorkeling, walking and those that are title-worthy as convenient weekend getaways. Special fitness vacations for families, singles, women and couples are available.

Click here for more eco-friendly travel tips from Earth Tones.

 

Fuel-Free Vacation Ideas

Gas prices are high, but before you let the ExxonMobils of the world keep you from hitting the road, here are a few gas-saving alternatives to help you have a fun, eco-friendly vacation.

Hoof it Over a Glacier (www.alpineclubofcanada.ca)

• Join Alpine Club of Canada for a week of hut-to-hut hiking in the Canadian Rockies backcountry. Even beginners (physically fit ones) can join in.
• The huts themselves are basic A-frame structures with woodstoves and bunk beds.
• Meals are mostly dehydrated ingredients and are prepared by the hikers as a team (and actually aren't half bad).

Your Car Ain't Welcome (www.mackinacisland.org)

• Michigan’s Mackinac Island is the summer colony that has been drawing city dwellers for centuries. Horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, and sailboats are the main sources of transportation.
• Fire Island in New York, Bald Head Island in North Carolina, and Virginia’s Tangier Island all opt for leaving cars in the garage as well.

More car-free vacation ideas.

Traveling Green Can Save You Some Greenbacks

This article was printed in the Winter issue of Earthwise, the UCS quarterly member newsletter. To read other Earthwise articles, or to subscribe, click here.

Summer travel is among the busiest travel periods, and the heat-trapping emissions generated by all those planes, trains, and automobiles contribute to global warming. But in spite of that fact and Americans’ worries about high gas prices and an uncertain economy, we need not be stuck at home all winter. Analysts at the Union of Concerned Scientists have found that, with the right choices in our mode of transportation, we can plan a trip that is easier on both our wallets and the environment.

Hop on the bus. Buses (or motor coaches) are one of America’s best-kept green travel secrets. Compared with flying, traveling on a bus generates 55 to 75 percent less global warming pollution per passenger, depending on the distance traveled. And from a cost perspective, bus travel is much less expensive than flying and can even be cheaper than driving—some bus companies offer fares as low as one dollar each way. Since there is no single online resource for booking tickets from different bus lines, you’ll have to search for those companies that serve your departure and destination cities.

Rent a car. If you don’t own a fuel-efficient vehicle, think about renting one when driving on longer trips. Economy-class vehicles, which typically get 30 or more miles per gallon, can save more than $100 over a 500-mile trip compared with driving an SUV you own (including fuel costs, rental fee, maintenance, and depreciation), while generating almost half the global warming pollution. Upgrading to an even more efficient hybrid can further reduce emissions without increasing your total costs (the lower fuel costs offset the higher rental fee). Before you arrive at the rental counter, consult www.fueleconomy.gov to obtain fuel economy estimates for all of the cars available at that location.

Take the train. On average, U.S. passenger trains emit approximately 0.43 pound of global warming pollution per passenger mile compared with 1.08 pounds for a typical car carrying a single person. Train travel can also save you money when traveling between large cities, since train stations that are often much closer to city centers than airports allow you to avoid cab rides into town.

Fly with budget airlines. Try to choose airlines that offer coach-class seating exclusively. Because first-class seating takes up more space than coach seating, the average first-class passenger on a domestic flight is responsible for twice as much global warming pollution as someone seated in coach. Some airlines, in an effort to improve operating margins by increasing the number of passengers per plane, have eliminated first-class seating altogether. This allows these airlines to reduce not only their coach fares, but also their per-person carbon emissions (on the order of 10 to 15 percent).

Avoid peak travel dates. Whether you’re sitting on the tarmac or stuck in traffic, the congestion associated with peak travel times translates into more global warming pollution. When a car or SUV is stuck in traffic, its fuel consumption rate can be double the rate it gets at steady cruising speeds. So, considering that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says 574 million vacation days went unused in 2006, why not attach an extra day or two on either end of your vacation to avoid peak travel congestion—and higher transportation fares as well?

From all of us at Union of Concerned Scientists, we wish you a safe—and green year!

Take the Pledge—Reduce Global Warming Pollution

Pledge to reduce the global warming pollution from your vacation travel in the new year.  Then send along e-cards to your friends and family, so they can join you in making greener travel choices.

Helpful hints for the Ecotourist

By Erin Marquis

Eco tourism is a great travel option for the environmentally conscious traveler, giving people not only a chance to take a vacation but also to do something positive for the environment. However, there are some dangers lurking in this rewarding experience.

Find the right trip. Do you want to experience nature, learn about it, or really help it? There are packages that fit almost every taste and objective, but if you're looking for a relaxing week and sign up to count bird nests or maintain hiking trails you'll be disappointed! Also be realistic about what you can do. If the package you're interested in requires a 20 mile hike and you can only do 5 miles you shouldn't push yourself. This is your vacation, make it enjoyable!

Beware of green washing. Green washing is normally a problem with products parading as ‘green’ without having any real credentials to do so. It is also a problem with eco tourism. Seriously consider if the trip does more harm than good to the area you’re traveling to. If part of the price of your trip is donated to preservation you know you have a good company to work with.

Consider your impact. Just being there creates an impact on the surrounding area. For example, problems have been arising with people visiting the Galapagos Islands to experience their pristine nature and marvelous diversity only to degrade the environment and legendary array of animals. You may not even realize the impact you’re having on an area until it is too late!

Make organization a priority. Disorganization can lead to travelers getting off the beaten path and causing environmental havoc, which is certainly not the eco-tourists intent. Be sure to look for low impact, small scale trips that focus on preservation and education of visitors.

Click here for more about environmentally friendly travel at Road & Travel Magazine

Green Fun: Theme Parks With Environmental Initiatives

Disneyland Resort, California: This wonderful resort has won the 2009 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA), California's highest and most prestigious environmental honor. By "recycling" large amounts of water rather than draining it into the ocean, powering steam trains with kitchen grease, and opening a bakery that's complete eco-paradise, Disneyland Resort is furthering Walt Disney's environmental legacy.

Nickelodeon Family Suites, Florida: This family-friendly hotel in Orlando was recognized with a Green Lodging Certification. Nick achieved its green lodging status by using reusable dining items, encouraging the reuse of bath towels and linens, establishing a volunteer green committee, reimbursing employees for public bus passes and installing energy-efficient lighting throughout the property.

Six Flags, North America: If the world's largest regional themepark is realizing they need to take aggressive steps to preserve and protect the environment for future generations, the "fun" industry must be changing face. Resulting from a partnership with Coca-Cola's Recycling branch, 3,000 recycling bins have been placed in each of the 20 Six Flags theme parks. At four parks, all vehicles and trains that operate on diesel fuel will instead be powered by used vegetable oil generated in Six Flags kitchens.

(Sources: Disneyland Resort, Nick Hotel, Six Flags)

For more eco-friendly travel advice, visit RTM's Earth Tones section.

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