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Tag: eco travel

  • 8 Inexpensive Ways to Green Your Next Vacation

    As global warming continues to take its toll, travelers want to be sure that discovering the planet won’t ruin it for future generations. Ecotourism is an exciting new trend, but sustainable lodging and vacation packages can often cost a bomb. Happily though, you don’t need to invest in expensive accommodation and extras to vacation a little greener. Read on to discover sustainable traveling tips that won’t hurt your hip pocket.

    Stay Close to Home

    The further you go, the higher the cost to our planet. It’s exciting to consider discovering a far-flung destination, but have you fully explored your own backyard? Chances are there are plenty of hidden holiday gems in your own state, or even your own country. You could even explore your own city on a staycation! Look to these destinations if you want to minimize your carbon footprint and save money.

    You’ll also cut your carbon emissions, and see much more, if you focus on just one or two destinations rather than hopping around from one holiday spot to the next.

    Carbon Offset Your Flights

    Of course no one wants to be restricted to domestic travel all the time. If you’re itching to travel abroad, make sure you do it on a carrier that allows you to carbon offset your flights. Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, Thai Airways, Air New Zealand, and United Airways all allow travelers to offset their flights for a small additional fee. This can be just a couple of dollars, which you’ll never miss!

    Travel Lightly

    The heavier your luggage, the more fuel it’ll take to transport it. Taking more luggage may also see you slugged with excess baggage charges. That means you’ve got two great reasons to leave behind the kitchen sink! Click here to read some simple tips for packing light.

    Pack Green

    Traveling green isn’t just about how much you take, but what you take. There are several sustainable choices you can make when packing your suitcase.

    For a start, consider what you’ll carry your luggage in! Many manufacturers use eco-friendly and recyclable materials to craft their suitcases and backpacks. Alternatively, you can cut costs and go green by choosing a second-hand case.

    Opt for rechargeable batteries rather than throwaway ones to power your devices. They cost a little more at first, but pay for themselves very quickly. Solar-charged gadgets also need nothing more than the sun to stay charged.

    Forget Rental Cars and Cabs

    Rental cars and cabs might be convenient, but they’re also far from the greenest ways to get about. Both see gas emissions pumped into the atmosphere for your single journey. It’s much more sustainable to join other travelers on public transport options like buses and trains. You’ll also pay a fraction of the price to use these services.

    If you don’t have far to travel though, remember that walking and cycling are the greenest ways to get about. They have no carbon footprint at all! Walking’s completely free, and bike hire is generally affordable. Both transport methods are great ways to discover your vacation spot, as you’ll undoubtedly find new places to explore on the way to your destination.

    Live as Green as You Would at Home

    When we slip into vacation mode, it’s easy to let standards slide. However keeping them up can have a big impact on the planet. Make sure you only turn on the lights you need, and turn them all off when you leave the room. Don’t leave your air conditioner or television running, and remember to conserve water.

    Many hotels will only launder your towels if you leave them on the bathroom floor. Remember to hang yours to reuse them if you’re staying more than one night. This is another great way to save water.

    Enjoy Eco-Friendly Activities

    Taking a trek, joining a bike tour, or exploring a wildlife sanctuary are all green ways to pass the time on vacation. These activities won’t pollute the planet, and they’ll also help you learn about the natural world around you. Often you can do these activities for free. Those that attract a fee usually cost far less than big tourist drawcards like theme parks and luxury tours. Often the cost of admission is also invested into conservation and preservation programs.

    Buy Local

    Hands making a heartBuying local doesn’t just support the small businesses operating in the town you’re visiting. It also cuts your carbon footprint. Importing stock guzzles gas. Eating at restaurants that serve local produce and buying souvenirs made in the local area is a great way to go green, and immerse yourself in the true culture of your vacation spot.

    Employ these green travel tips and enjoy the good karma that comes!

  • Eco-Travel: What is LEED Certification?

    If you’re a frugal eco-traveler, chances are you’ve seen the label “LEED certified” on various hotels, restaurants, transportation systems, museums, residential structures and sports stadiums. I always knew this was something that should impress me, but until lately, I didn’t really understand everything that LEED certification entails. If you’re curious like I was, here is a quick overview of what is involved in obtaining and maintaining a LEED certification.

    What does LEED stand for?

    LEED stands for “leadership in energy and environmental design.”

    When was the certification system developed and by what organization?

    The initial certification system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in March, 2000. Since then, various specific certifications have been developed for different types of buildings and initiatives. These rating systems are developed through a consensus-based process led by LEED committees. LEED committee members are a diverse group of people involved in the building and construction community who volunteer their time to develop the certification processes.

    The Tesoro Corporation Headquarters in San Antonio is a LEED certified structure.

    What does LEED certification measure?

    The LEED certification encompasses all aspects of a building, including environment, design, infrastructure, plumbing, electricity, etc. Some of the most important elements it measures are (for all categories, see the LEED site):

    • Sustainability of the construction site— discouraging construction on previously undeveloped land, seeking to minimize a structure’s impact on ecosystems and waterways, and encouraging regionally appropriate landscaping.
    • Water efficiency— encouraging smarter use of water, both inside and outside the structure. This is typically accomplished through efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings inside and water-conscious landscaping.
    • Energy and atmosphere—encouraging the use of energy-wise strategies such as energy use monitoring, efficient design and construction, efficient appliances, systems and lighting, the use of renewable and clean sources of energy generated on-site or off-site.
    • Materials and resources— encouraging the selection of sustainably grown, harvested, produced and transported products and materials; promoting waste reduction as well as reuse and recycling.
    • Quality of indoor environment— promoting strategies that improve indoor air quality, provide access to natural daylight, and improve acoustics.
    • Awareness and education— encouraging home builders and real estate professionals to provide homeowners, tenants and building managers with the education and tools they need to understand what makes their home green and how to make the most of those features.
    • Design innovation— rewarding projects that include a LEED Accredited Professional on the team to ensure a holistic, integrated approach to the design and construction process.

    What are the different levels of LEED certification?

    The LEED rating system currently has four levels of certification (listed from least to most rigorous): Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. These levels correspond to the number of credits accrued in five categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

    Once a structure is LEED certified, is that the end of the process?

    No; once a building receives LEED certification, it must maintain its credentials through a variety of tests and building updates each year. Any addition or change made to the building must conform to the level of LEED certification previously awarded.

    What else should I know about LEED certified buildings?

    Firms and building owners invest a large amount of time and money making sure their structures represent the very best in terms of sustainability and design. Why not reward these businesses with your patronage when you travel? These businesses should be easy to spot, since most feature their LEED certification level in their marketing materials.

     

     

  • Books and Magazines for Frugal Travelers

    Let’s face it. Frugal traveling takes work. You need to research the best options so that you can get the most bang for your buck.

    Luckily, there are many good references out there to help with this process. Here are some suggestions of books and magazines that will guide you along your journey as a frugal traveler. All of these titles are available on Amazon or many of your other favorite online bookstores. Books Travel Happy, Budget Low Susanna Zaraysky (2009) With over 160 websites and 200 trips, Travel Happy, Budget Low helps international travelers discover how to travel on the cheap in planes, trains, and buses, how to find inexpensive meals, and how to book inexpensive hotel rooms or stay for free with locals. How to Travel Practically Anywhere Susan Stellin (2007) New York Times contributor Susan Stellin provides readers with timesaving tips to navigate their travel planning, including how to negotiate fare prices or how to resolve issues when you are unhappy with your accommodations. A must read for 'cheap' travelers looking to get the most out of their travel experiences. The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget Rough Guides Series (2010) This multi-contributor volume contains tips for finding the best deals while traveling through Europe, including transportation( by InterRail, Eurail or bus) tips, ideas for what to see and do in each country, current descriptions of the best hostels and budget hotels in Europe, bars in Europe, cafes, cheap restaurants, and European shopping and festivals. This guide is a must read for frugal travelers planning a European vacation. In general, the Rough Guide books tend to be full of great ideas for travelers on a budget. The Little Budget Travel Book David Ning (2009) [caption id="attachment_5136" align="alignright" width="199" caption="These books and magazines will give you plenty of tips on how to make the most of your time and money while traveling."][/caption] A concise guide, jam-packed with general tips for stretching your dollar while traveling. Even if you’ve been traveling frugally for a while, this is worth a read. Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year at the Cost of Staying Home Phil White (2008) Phil White gives readers helpful tips for planning the trip of a lifetime on a shoestring budget. A must read for frugal travelers looking to embark on an epic voyage. Secret Hotels: Extraordinary Values in the World’s Most Stunning Destinations Erik Torkells and the Editors of Budget Travel (2007) From the editors of the magazine Budget Travel comes an array of breathtaking lodging options at reasonable prices (most listings are under $200 per night). In general, the Let’s Go series also offers great advice for travelers on a budget. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.letsgo.com/. Based in the UK, the graphically appealing Vice Travel Guides offer advice on off-the-beaten path travel destinations. For more information, see http://www.viceland.com/guidetotravel/. Magazines Budget Travel One of the best-known budget travel magazines on the market, Budget Travel provides readers with up-to-date tips on budget transportation, hotels, restaurants and activities in a variety of international locations. For more information, visit the magazine’s website at http://www.budgettravel.com/. Afar Magazine Though not specifically about budget travel, Afar provides suggestions for alternative travel (humanitarian travel, volunteer travel, eco travel) and inspiring articles that will help to shape your travel philosophy. For more information, visit Afar’s online community at http://www.afar.com/.

  • Three Philosophies for Budget Minded Travelers

    Many of the posts on this site focus on frugal travel tips or ways to save money at certain destinations.

    The aim of this post is a bit different: to help frugal travelers identify certain a philosophy/philosophies can guide their overall travel habits (including trip planning, trip enjoyment, and trip sharing). Many portions of these three philosophies also pertain to living a frugal life in general. Enjoy! Slow Travel The slow travel movement is in man ways similar to the slow food movement in that it focuses on environmental responsibility, sustainability, education, knowledge and enjoyment. Slow travel is about taking the opportunity (and the time) to connect to places, people and cultures.  One of the major elements of slow travel is the idea of embracing a “less is more” philosophy. Considering all of the incredible advances in transportation and technology over the past few decades, seeing and doing everything you want on a trip is now easier than ever. However, when you force yourself to stick to a tight schedule you miss the things that you never knew you wanted to experience until you’re in the middle of experiencing them. Moreover, it’s easy to opt for the “best” (translation: most expensive) tourist options out there. Slow travel is about recognizing the beauty in simple interactions and experiences. In addition, it’s about really connecting to the place you’re visiting while respecting local customs. Pay as You Go Travel [caption id="attachment_5117" align="alignright" width="224" caption="Low impact travel (also called sustainable travel or eco travel) is all about taking into consideration how your travel habits impact the environment, ecosystems or the cultures you come into contact with."]lost gardens of Heligan photo[/caption] Whereas slow travel shapes the way we see and experience things while on vacation, pay as you go travel deals with financing travel. When you adopt a pay as you go lifestyle, you make the commitment to stick to certain spending habits (both when you’re on vacation and when you’re not). The major principles of pay as you go travel include saving up enough cash to pay for your entire vacation without having to use a credit card, always paying with cash (or traveler’s checks), never carrying a credit card balance, and (my favorite) borrowing things. That’s right, instead of running out to buy a new travel backpack or suitcase, borrow one from friends or family. It’s amazing how much money the simple act of borrowing can save. Of course, be prepared to return the favor when your friends need to borrow something from you. Low Impact Travel Low impact travel (also called sustainable travel or eco travel) is all about taking into consideration how your travel habits impact the environment, ecosystems or the cultures you come into contact with. Here are some suggestions for reducing your negative impact on the places you travel to and saving money in the process. Limit air travel. Let’s face it… air travel is expensive. It’s also detrimental to the environment. Think creatively and choose vacations that don’t require air travel (instead, go by train, bus, or bike). If air travel is the only way to reach your destination, consider limiting your air travel to once every other year. Embrace public transportation. Instead of renting a car (also not the best option for the environment or your pocketbook), research what types of trains, metros or bus systems are available at your destination and plan to use those. Keep it local. So many of us are itching to jet off to exotic locals that we forget about the beauty of our own backyards. Think creatively about travel opportunities close to where you live. Go camping, rent a place or do a house swap with someone in a nearby city. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much money you save on transportation costs.