Day 33 - Green getaways

Ahh, summer. Filling up the gas tank and driving to the beach, or the mountains, or the amusement park. It’s great fun, but those bare feet can leave some big carbon footprints.

Here are some ways to have a great vacation while lessening your impact on the environment:

First, airplanes are one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases. According to the David Suzuki Foundation, a Canadian foundation dedicated to sustaining the natural world, “Although aviation is a relatively small industry, it has a disproportionately large impact on the climate system. It presently accounts for 4-9% of the total climate change impact of human activity.”

So consider taking a vacation closer to home, and skip the long flight, the crowds at the airport, and the frisking by big-boned Thelma in the security line.

Second, look for a hotel or motel that has taken environmental issues into consideration. www.itsagreengreenworld.com and www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com list hundreds of “greener” hotels and accommodations.

Better yet, commune with nature on your vacation. Try camping in a national park (http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm), or how about an ecotourism vacation? Check out http://www.reallynatural.com/archives/cat_travel.php

Third, minimize your waste, wherever you go. Use towels more than once, and sheets more than one night, even if your hotel doesn’t require it. Bring your own shampoo and soap, and leave the little ones for the next guest. Or if you do use them, bring along “doggie bags” to carry home the leftovers. Those little hotel soaps are great in guest bathrooms.

Next, skip the junky souvenirs and go with something you can truly use, or would be proud to display forever. Or longer. And if you know you aren’t going to want those pictures the staff photographer takes on that cruise, or at that theme park, request that they don’t print it out.

With a little thought, you can tread lightly on Mother Earth during your next vacation.

Tip for Day 33 – Search out environmentally responsible lodgings on vacation.