Green Your Travel
With a growing number of people wishing to travel more sustainably, we thought it might be useful to point out some green travel tips for your trips.
Hotels have been quick to advertise their environmental efforts, from laundry to light bulbs. Car rental agencies tout the availability of hybrid cars, and organizations that sell carbon-offsetting options are increasingly educating companies about how to do their part. Even travel Web site Orbitz.com is joining the effort with its recently launched eco.orbitz.com, where one of the main features is a listing of “eco-friendly” hotels.
But what can you do…?
See if you can avoid travelling in the first place. Is video-conferencing an option?
If you do have to travel, try using public transportation or a hotel shuttle in your destination city.
Have to rent a car? Rent a hybrid!
Like coffee? Bring a travel coffee mug.
Can’t stay with a friend? Pick a green hotel and make sure you use those cards asking you to hang towels on the rack if you want to reuse them.
According to Trees for the Future, a program aimed at offsetting travel-related emissions, a jet emits approximately one pound of carbon dioxide per passenger mile. That means 3.2 million acres of trees would need to be planted every year to offset the emissions caused by the 240 billion miles the National Business Travelers Association claims are racked up by U.S. business travelers annually. Add in the greenhouse gases generated by rental cars, the energy and water use of hotels, and waste produced by conferences and meetings, and it’s obvious: Greening business travel could result in significant environmental benefits.
Nathan was thinking green at 11:53 AM on May 22, 2007
Comments are sorta kinda broken right now. We're working on it but to save energy can only work in daytime when solar system is at peak performance.
green+travel sustainable+travel
