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

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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

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Sarah Jessica Parker (or SJP as her fans know her), the famous first lady of fashion and Sex and the City star, took to the train for her inauguration-related travels from Manhattan to Washington, D.C. last week. Of course, if there’s a lady who can appreciate the lure of “vintage” inspiration, it’s Parker and we’re sure she understands not just the romantic appeal of the rails, but also the environmental benefits of Amtrak over airplanes and even automobiles.

Parker’s travel to Washington suited much of the celebration taking place at the history-making inauguration last week with green getting a lot more play than it had in previous years, especially at the inaugural balls. Nowhere were things more eco-focused than at the Green Inaugural Ball which took place three days before the actual inauguration and got green down to the last detail. There were natural soy candles and LED lights, organic and locally-sourced food, carbon offsets available for purchase, and even earth-friendly cleaning products employed at the end of the evening. The train ride that took Parker to D.C. would have pleased the Green Inaugural Ball party planners, who picked the venue based on its proximity to public transit and encouraged all guests to make use of the service . Click here to read more

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I am relatively impatient when it comes to waiting.  I am constantly scrolling through old emails as I wait for and sit on the subway; I find myself making calls while standing in lines; I even pay for express shipping on items that I don’t really need urgently.  If there is a particular type of waiting that drives me mad, it’s definitely flight delays.

As a native of Brazil, I developed a severe dislike for flight delays having to travel back and forth from South Florida to Sao Paulo two to three times per year (as a kid it was much easier to deal with thanks to my Game Boy). Given my disdain of flight delays, I cringed at a recent study by the U.S. Joint Economics Committee. The report showed that in 2007 alone, delayed flights consumed an additional 740 million gallons of fuel, resulting in a whopping $1.6 billion wasted and 7 million tons of carbon emitted for no reason.

Surprisingly, I also heard about recent efforts on the part of airlines that actually justified longer flights. By slowing down cruising speeds and tacking on a few extra minutes to each leg, airlines have shown that they can save millions of dollars in fuel and thousands of tons of carbon emissions. For example, Southwest Airlines projects it will save $42 million in fuel this year by extending each flight by one to three minutes.

So, if the airlines can save money (and hopefully keep ticket prices at bay while energy prices keep skyrocketing), use less fuel (which helps out the environment and energy prices), and only add about 10 minutes to a nine hour flight from New York to Sao Paulo, I give it a solid two thumbs up!  After all, who is REALLY going to notice the difference, aside from your everyday macrophobiac (fear of long waits)?

But seriously, no more delays.

-Raphael, Greenzer Team - Business Development

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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.

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