Guest Post - How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When You Travel

Flying, driving and cruises are known for being bad for the environment but are also the most common and popular ways of travelling. Most of us want to travel at some point in our lives - whether it’s an annual two-week summer holiday, a teenage gap year, or a round-the-world trip when we retire; and it’s easy to see why - meeting new people, seeing world-famous sites, understanding and experiencing different cultures - there are numerous benefits to travelling.

But as the impacts of climate change are starting to be felt, many of us are looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint; so much so that environmental businesses are a rapidly growing industry. So is there a way of travelling that enables you to reap the benefits, but without harming the environment? Luckily, the answer is yes. If you are planning to dust off your suitcase soon and take to the open road, use these five tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint.

Research
Sometimes there is no alternative but to travel by plane. If this is the case try and book your flight through a company that offsets your flight, or alternatively you can look into offsetting it yourself. Also there are many eco-friendly tour operators now available, so if you prefer to travel in organised groups rather than independently consider booking with one of these companies.

Once you have booked your trip make sure you research your destination thoroughly. This doesn’t just mean finding the best places to eat or the must see-sites, but instead look at finding out how to make your trip as eco-friendly as possible. For example if you are planning to drive across the USA, looking into using a car rental company that specialises in renting hybrid cars - with a bit of research you will often be amazed about the options available to you.

Transport
Once you’ve got to your destination you will want to get out and explore. Instead of relying on expensive taxis find out about the local transport there. Many cities have established subway systems and bus services that are safe, reliable and cost-effective. While some places it is better to hire a bike or to explore on foot.

If you are going to multiple destinations, you often don’t need to depend on flights as many places have ferry services and good rail links. If, for example, you are travelling across Europe the InterRail network covers most of the continent.

Be active
Hiking, cycling, sailing and kayaking are great ways to travel that also leave virtually no carbon footprints. Most destinations provide some chance to be active - cycling across the Alps or hiking in South America are just two popular options. Normally, these types of trips will provide you with the chance to improve your health, meet like-minded people, and gives you the chance to escape the stresses of modern living.

Accommodation
There are many eco-friendly accommodation options available for travellers. Camping is great for keeping your emissions to a minimum, just remember to take all your litter home with you. However, if camping isn’t suitable try to find an eco-friendly hotel or guest house. There has been a boom in eco-friendly accommodations over the last decade so you may be surprised about the level of choice available.

Food
When you are travelling try and eat as much locally produced food as possible, not only is it normally cheaper, fresher and supports local farmers, but the fact that the food hasn’t travelled far reduces its carbon footprint. To do this, if you are in self-catering accommodation or camping, try and find farmers markets and shops. If you are planning to eat out, research which restaurants use locally produced ingredients. Alternatively, eat at cafes and restaurants where the locals eat, as they will often have meals that use seasonal and locally grown foods.

Written by Derin Clark, a writer, editor and blogger.

Vacations ... The Eco Friendly Way

We recently returned from a wonderful vacation in the Pacific Northwest ... camping and visiting with family. Typically when I leave my home in the North Carolina mountains, I am struck by how wasteful and non-environmentally friendly our society is. But this trip was different.

On this trip, I noticed positive changes ... people carrying reusable water bottles in the airport rather than plastic ones, recycle containers set up in restaurants, signs in public restrooms asking patrons to turn out the lights when leaving and more people refusing plastic bags in stores. I saw less Styrofoam and more recyclable containers at take-out stands. In one public restroom there was a toilet that flushed one way for liquids and another way for solids ... reducing the amount of water used. In more than just a few shops I was asked if I wanted my receipt printed (which, of course, I said "no" to and saved some paper). In my relative's homes, I noticed cloth napkins being used instead of paper and everyone seemed to have a garden and a compost bin. A cousin told me about an Eco-Camp for children. Her daughter attended this camp where the focus was on teaching kids about waste ... specifically the waste on their plate when they take too much food and end up tossing what they can't eat.

Yes, there are still improvements to be made but it is encouraging to see so many people making an effort. It gives me hope!

With the trip and everything I saw still fresh in my mind, I decided to write a few tips on having a "green" vacation. Here are some ideas:

• Plan ahead. For a very good list of green travel resources (tour companies, rental car agencies, transportation, activities, etc.), check out IndependentTraveler.com's Green Travel Resources.
  

• Never take a vacation from your "green" ideals. The same rules that apply at home, apply everywhere. For example, don't use more water or electricity just because someone else is paying the bill ... continue to conserve.

• Have a "Staycation" and play tourist in your own city. Yes ... I know ... I just returned from a vacation on the other side of the country. But I've also spent years taking vacations in my own back yard ... and they have been some of the best times we've had. Not only does it save money, gas and other resources ... there are usually activities to enjoy which typically, in our busy lives, we don't take the time to experience. So play tourist at home ... go to a special restaurant, enjoy a museum, take in a play or concert. For more ideas, contact the Chamber of Commerce in your city.

• Make a few adjustment at home before leaving. Turn off the water heater (or turn down the temperature). Turn off A/C or heating units (or, again, adjust them to the least amount of use). Turn off the ice maker. Unplug as many electrical devices as possible.

• Carefully consider the mode of transportation used to reach your destination. Trains, cars, planes, buses ... they all have their environmental pros and cons. Add in time and money and the choice becomes more difficult. For a short trip, consider public transportation. When driving, make sure that the car is properly serviced (tires filled to proper levels, oil leaks fixed, etc.) and follow speed limits to minimize gas use and emissions. Don't charge cell phones, iPods, etc. off the car battery ... it'll lower your gas mileage. If your car is a gas guzzling vehicle, consider renting an economy or hybrid car. If flying is the option, choose electronic tickets, pack lightly and consider carbon offsetting (for an excellent article on the subject, click HERE). Also consider bringing your own snacks and drinks (fill a reusable water bottle after going through security) ... you'll save money and waste.

• Location, location, location! When choosing accommodations, think about location. Ask yourself these questions: Is it near public transportation (bus lines, subways, etc.)? Are tourist activities within walking distance or a short bus ride away? Are there dining and shopping opportunities close by?

• Choose a "green" hotel (find one HERE).

• Care for a hotel room in the same way as you care for your home. Turn out lights and TVs when not in use. When leaving, turn off the cooling/heating units. Leave a "Do Not Disturb" or "No Service" sign on the door and reuse towels and bedding. If a sign is not provided, leave a note for housekeeping requesting that they not service your room. When possible, use your own toiletries rather than those provided by the establishment. If you find it necessary to use their toiletries, take them with you, use until gone and recycle the container. Bring your own cup and let the hotel's plastic ones remain in their bags. Take short showers.

• At your destination, consider environmentally friendly activities. Take a walking or cycling tour. Take digital photos instead of using disposable cameras. Only take maps and brochures that are necessary and, if possible, return them to the rack after use. Choose restaurants that use local, organic produce. Make sure that purchases (snacks, souvenirs, etc.) are Eco-friendly.

• Let them know. When returning home, be sure to write emails to hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies ... even airlines and pilots ... to compliment them on their "green" efforts or encourage them to adopt them if they aren't currently doing so. I've said this before (perhaps a gazillion times) but I believe that if we ask, providers will accommodate us. So tell them that you want "green" travel options.

Vacations are wonderful ... they recharge our emotional batteries and add excitement to life. And, with a little care and concern, they can be kind to the earth as well.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Cut Flowers and the Environment ...

For many, beautiful arrangements of fresh cut flowers are a must for a holiday table. Bouquets of unusual flowers make easy gifts ... grab a bundle from most supermarkets or order a bouquet online to be delivered. Whether one needs a hostess gift, something for a special someone or a gift for the "hard to please", cut flowers will accommodate. That's what the $40 billion a year, cut flower industry tells us. What they don't tell us is how bad they are for the environment.

Most cut flowers, approximately 79%, are grown in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. They are grown in climate controlled greenhouses using pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides ... including DDT and methyl-bromide which are banned in the U.S. These substances have been linked to health problems such as skin conditions, respiratory problems, impaired vision, and birth defects. Many of the people who staff the greenhouses, and who come in contact with the flowers on a daily basis, are now suffering from these problems.

Not only are workers being hurt ... the environment is suffering as well. Methyl-bromide has been linked to the destruction of the ozone layer. DDT usage has caused serious problems for many animal and bird populations. Small amounts of these chemicals are dangerous ... most greenhouses, however, aren't using just a little ... they are using a lot. It contaminates the ground and water, hurting animal and fish populations and it reduces the amount of drinkable water in many communities.

Once the growing stage is complete, the cut flowers are sent all over the world. They travel far distances, and as we've talked about before ... anything that travels a long distance is causing pollution and using a lot of resources to make the trip. An estimated 500 million make their way into the U.S. In order to pass inspection upon entry, they are often sprayed with more toxic chemicals so that no bugs or insects make the trip ... and so that each and every blossom looks it's best. Florists in this country touch these flowers and are reporting skin rashes and breathing problems.

There's still more ... once the flowers get to a florists shop, they are typically arranged using floral foam which helps to hold them in place. This foam is a petroleum bi-product that off gases formaldehyde when soaked in water. It is also non-biodegradable. A leaf shine product is typically used to shine up the greenery ... this is an aerosol product and aerosol products hurt the environment.

What about the flowers produced in the U.S.? Are they better? While they may not use banned chemicals, many farms and greenhouses use a lot of pesticides. These are harmful ... to the earth and all of her inhabitants.

So ... should one forgo cut flowers as a gift? Not necessarily. Look for organic flowers, grown locally if possible. Make a point of asking about that beautiful bouquet ... is it arranged with floral foam ... is it sprayed with anything. And by the way ... many live plants are grown in the same conditions so ... know where your product comes from. Basically, use the same guidelines buying cut flowers and plants as you would buying food.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Don't let the price of gas fool you ...

Before I get started on today's post, I'd like to suggest that you visit one of our bloggy friends: Water Once a Week. PlantBuddy has posted an excellent article on "green" giving this holiday season. She has some excellent ideas for living gifts. You can read her article here.

OK ... on to today's subject:

The price of gas, in our little town, is under $1.80/gallon. Not long ago it was over $4.00/gallon. I'm not sure what has caused the reduction in price. Some say that we, the consumers, are being manipulated into buying bigger, gas guzzling cars ... and well ... the "Big 3" have been begging for a bail out recently so ... that idea isn't totally without merit. However it happened, gas prices have dropped.

When the prices were at their highest, we all started looking at ways to reduce our gas consumption. We considered public transportation ... we planned our errands to make the most of a trip ... we stayed close to home instead of taking off on long driving vacations. We maintained our cars ... filled the tires appropriately ... and used cruise control ... all in an effort to make the most of each drop of gas. We did all of this because it was just too expensive to drive our cars. But guess what ... it's still too expensive to drive our cars. The cost is to our environment and our health.

Gasoline is a non-renewable resource. That means ... once it's gone, it's gone for good. And that day is rapidly approaching. At one time, they talked about running out of oil many generations into the future ... so far away that no one considered it to be a threat ... not even a remote threat. Now, just a few years later, they say it may happen within our lifetime. Think about all the ways we use oil and then imagine the day that there just isn't any. It will totally change life as we know it.

Even if one is a skeptic and feels that the chances of running out of oil are remote ... it cannot be denied that gas run automobiles pollute. We're talking greenhouse gas emissions here ... those gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. We're also talking air quality. Have you noticed how many more asthma cases there are these days and how many more people seem to have allergies? Pollution carries a high cost.

So here's the thing ... don't let the price of gas fool you into believing that it is no longer necessary to conserve. It is now more important than ever to conserve gas. We simply can't afford not to.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

The price of gas got you down?

I've heard a lot of people say that they are foregoing vacation this summer because the price of gas ... actually the price of everything ... has gotten too high. Recently, the town we live in (Asheville, NC) had their street fair ... it's called Belle Chere and is the largest free street fair in the southeast. I heard a lot of vendors comment that attendance was way down.

So I started to think ... how can we have a summer vacation ... one that isn't all about doing fix-it jobs around the house ... without using a lot of energy or breaking the bank? Easy ... play tourist in your own home town/city ... or one close by.

There are all kinds of things to do close to home. Here are a few ideas:

• Visit a museum or gallery.
• Take a walk through an arboretum or botanical garden.
• Check the Internet for things to do (most cities and towns have their own website with all kinds of visitor information).
• Go hiking in the mountains or swimming at the beach (whichever is closest to you).
• Stay in a hotel/motel, close to home, and eat out at restaurants.
• Attend area festivals.
• Check out a movie or play.
• Visit an acquarium.
• Go to a concert.
• Have a picnic in the park.
• Check out a farmer's market.
• Shop in an area that you usually don't frequent.
• Wander through a cemetery ... I know ... kind of weird but did you know that some cities actually have graveyard tours?
• Take a walking tour of the downtown area.
• If your city has tours of historic areas or any other type of tour, take one.

If you stop to think about it, people from other areas probably come to your area for vacation. So ... why not be one of them ... be a tourist in your own home.

As always, I would love to hear your ideas for reducing, reusing and recycling. Just click on the comments link, located at the bottom of each post, and let me know what you think and how you conserve.