Going Somewhere?

It’s not too early to start planning for this summer’s adventures. And that means it’s not too soon to start looking into ecotourism and some green traveling tips!

Summer vacations often mean summer traveling - and these days, even traveling has environmental overtones. A whole new language is emerging, and we hear ads for ecotourism, sustainable travel, or green adventures. It’s become a whole industry that involves traveling in a manner that is earth-friendly, supporting community ventures rather than giving your hard-earned vacation dollars to large corporations, and even using your free time to contribute to a worthwhile cause.

Naturally, not every trip that is billed as an “ecoadventure” really is one, nor is every “ecotourism” company really concerned about the environment. It’s become a marketing term for every trip to a beautiful, scenic destination, whether it’s a cruise to Alaska or rafting in South America. If you’re really interested in environmentally-friendly travel, there are some things you should look for as you’re cruising the web or perusing the ads in the back of Outside magazine.

Start by understanding the difference between regular traveling and eco-traveling. The Sierra Club (http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conserv... has a list of eleven guidelines that separate the marketing hype from truly ecological organizations. Contemplating a cruise? Check to see whether all ship-generated waste is stored on-board rather than quietly dumped in that sparkling blue water. Going to the rainforest? Make sure the group has stated guidelines that respect the carrying capacity of the environment, that support and encourage conservation efforts, and that stress waste management, energy conservation, and environmental restoration.

If you’re really serious, you might want to look at some organizations like Earthwatch (http://www.earthwatch.org/) that match up volunteers interested in the environment with actual scientific expeditions and research efforts. You can spend your vacation learning more, doing something useful, and having a serious adventure at the same time.

Okay, maybe you’re not really planning a trip to some exotic locale. Maybe your most ambitious route this summer will be to the family reunion at State Parks R Us. You can still make sure your hard-earned dollars are used to support companies that are environmentally conscious. Check out http://www.greenhotels.com/ for guides to hotels that have committed to water and energy conservation (yes, they do exist!). This site provides tips for environmentally-considerate travel, as well as tips that hoteliers can use to reduced water use, energy use, and the production of solid waste. It also has a member list, so you can look for

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