Just as buying green products is a way to vote for a more environmentally-conscious planet, flying to a specific travel destination demonstrates to that government what is important to visitors, and that means that you, as a traveler, have an incredible amount of sway. That’s why when you’re picking a travel destination for this winter’s getaway (or a farther off occasion), it’s worth perusing Ethical Traveler’s list of the Developing World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations.

Compiled by Ethical Traveler, a project created to empower travelers to change the world, the 2009/2010 list of the best ethical destinations features some places you probably haven’t considered visiting, including Ghana, Lithuania and Suriname, but don’t write it off on grounds of uncertainty. Every locale listed has been handpicked for its natural beauty and pursuit of environmental protection, social welfare and human rights. Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™

AAA, one of the biggest names in travel, might not sound very green, after all, it’s the country’s largest automobile organization. But when they publish their annual TourBook guide of over 57,000 AAA-approved hotels and restaurants next year, they’ll add an eco rating that could help you on your next green vacation.

The new eco-designation will call out properties that have sustainable or eco-friendly features. So the next time you plan a road trip (hey, you can’t take public transport all the time, right?), plan by or pack the TourGuide for hunting down a spot to rest your head last minute. At least by staying at a green hotel you can reduce your carbon footprint a bit. And you can count on AAA to only include quality accommodations and be honest about eco accolades–every listing that gets the special icon must meet certain standards. Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™

We all know The Police’s song “message in a bottle”. With The Plastiki Expedition, David de Rothschild is sending an ecological message to the world in recycled plastic bottles! To draw attention to our every day environmental impact on nature, he is setting out on an extraordinary ecological journey in a boat made of plastic bottles and recycled waste products! Plastic constitutes 90% of all trash floating in the world’s ocean.  A message of environmental awareness will leave from San Francisco’s Pier 31 and sail through a number of fragile and ecologically challenged regions, including the world’s largest waste dump: the Easter Pacific Garbage Patch.

Inspired by Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki Expedition (1947), the Plastiki Expedition involves a 60-foot catamaran made of used two-liter plastic bottles and other recycled materials. From San Francisco to Sydney, this 100% recyclable plastic boat will highlight the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by raising environmental awareness. You’ve probably heard of the world’s largest landfill, floating in the middle of the ocean. The size of the Eastern Garbage Patch is estimated by scientists as two times bigger than Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™

At first, we thought it was a fake. The environmentalist in us kind of wished it was. It was hard to believe, but it seemed the world’s first flying hotel was out! Also the world’s biggest helicopter, this flying hotel was the archetypal anti-green innovation! The Hotelicopter – ha ha – is not eco-friendly, but it does not exist. Our eco-friendly conscious is relieved. Since a regular helicopter ride pollutes about three times more than driving, just imagine the negative environmental impact a Hotelicopter would have had! From carbon emissions to waste, you might think twice before jumping aboard such a flying five star hotel. If you want to fly green, forget about the Hotelicopter. Eco-friendly travel is in, not carbon emissions.

Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Daily Greenz #153

When it comes to prepping for summer travel, finding convenient, portable travel accessories is key. None of us want to schlep around a single ounce more than necessary, especially when we’re planning on occupying some of that precious suitcase space with goodies from our destination of choice.  Luckily, brands like Solio and Reware are making it easier for us to travel light and eco-friendly. Solio’s Classic Universal Hybrid Charger, which has received quite a bit of buzz over the past year or two, allows you to juice up a multitude of different devices at about the same rate it takes when they’re plugged into the wall. Because the $99 charger harnesses the sun’s energy rather than using traditional energy sources, you don’t have to worry about the carbon footprint of charging all of your must-have gadgets. And how many times have you left home, ready to relax over the next few days, only to stress because you left your iPod/cell phone/digital camera charger at home? This small, easy-to-carry charger does it all – no outlet needed.

Reware’s Juice Bags, which are made from recycled soda bottles and feature a large solar panel on their exteriors, are another convenient, green solution. Just plug your device of choice into the bag using the item’s car adaptor, and charge as you hike, bike, or explore.

For more tips on how to make your summer travel more eco-conscious, check out Greenzer’s upcoming Green Travel Buyer’s Guide and Travel Accessory Green Face-Off.

Powered by Bookmarkify™