GREENCulture blog We put the “green” in greenyness!

In the mood for an Italian cooking class? Why not hop on a plane and take one in sunny Tuscany, Italy? Organic Tuscany not only supplies a week of cooking courses on authentic Italian dishes, including vegetarian meals, but this eco-friendly group also centers on responsible tourism. The hot water used is derived from a solar hot water panel and composting and recycling is an essential ingredient for this lodge as well. Also, pool transportation is offered whenever possible.

From the day you arrive, you are greeted with a basket of organic goodies in your room, including fruit, honey, milk, freshly baked bread, fair-trade coffee and tea, and a couple of bottles of biodynamic wine. With cooking courses offered everyday of the week, you can also choose not to attend and instead, go for a dip in the pool or visit neighboring villas and towns. Daytrips to nearby organic and biodynamic farms, where you’ll pick produce for picnics, and visits to Sienna and Florence are also all comprised in this tasty dream vacation. Peaceful strolls around the vine covered hills are also a must, as the tranquil countryside is wrapped in a variety of olive groves, organic farms and vineyards. It’s almost the end of summer; cut yourself some slack and make your next holiday an eco-friendly one (plus, how can you say no to homemade ricotta cheesecake and tiramisu?!).

Think you’re a true eco-traveler because you stay at hotels with the greenest amenities and services? Think again: every time you travel via plane, liters upon liters of non-renewable resources, which took millions of years to create, are exhausted. Additionally, planes use tons of aviation fuel, contributing to the production of CO2 we already produce in abundance. Air travel also generates more than just carbon dioxide, as it emits high levels of Nitrogen Oxide as well, (which is the primary culprit for ozone smog, acid rain, and oxygen depletion).

To combat this environmental hazard, treeflights.com plants a tree with each flight you take. Trees use the sun’s energy to absorb CO2 (globally, forests absorb between 1/5 and 1/4 of all human emissions of CO2*), eventually transforming into renewable material such as wood. A wide variety of tree types is planted with treeflights.com, including willows, wild cherries, and alders, with all of the plantings on rough mountain land. If curiosity strikes, you can even make a visit to Wales or Peru and become acquainted with your adoptee.

Order a treeflight, which costs only 10 pounds, and make your contribution to our communal home. Though the process of planting trees doesn’t balance out the amount of CO2 we produce, nor will it conquer global warming, treeflights.com offers an opportunity to at least give back to Mother Nature.

*treeflights.com

Ladies (and gentleman in certain cases)! No need to pop-a-squat anymore over seemingly harmless patches of grass while camping. The fear of being bitten by uninhibited reptilians and insects on certain unmentionables will no longer flood your mind as you water the shrubs, for the eco-friendly Portable Toilets are here to relieve any lingering concerns.

Although the light-weight Nature Plus Portable Toilet (His and Hers), available by yours truly, is ideally suited for outdoor activities and emergency situations, this strangely sturdy contraption (supporting up to 250 lbs) can also be utilized for more serene expeditions such as bird watching or a demanding morning of tai-chi. This device, used by NATO forces around the world, includes 8 waste bags that are 100% biodegradable and compostable, as it is made of Mater-Bi corn starch. These bags, which fit comfortably around the toilet seat, promote hygiene and functionality. After use, simply bury or dispose of them in the appropriate waste receptacle, fold down the collapsible frame of the toilet, and move on, feeling as fresh and smooth as a sashimi slice. No longer will you allow the fear of squatting leave you with chunky trunks!

Need a break from the office? Why not take a vacation at an eco-friendly lodge in Belize for a couple weeks? The Cotton Tree Lodge consists of ten cabanas, each with running hot water, eco-friendly flush toilets, and private decks. This home away from home, however, embodies more than just a tropical facade, for its eco-friendly nature also places it at the top of the market.

The Cotton Tree Lodge is “off the grid” (no power lines run through or around the hotel), and uses solar power for basic electrical needs. They maintain an organic garden and have begun reforestation programs by planting teak and mahogany trees. Another notable feature is the lodge’s composting system. Though they use traditional flush toilets, they employ bio-remediation and phyto-remediation processes that return nutrients to the soil. In collaboration with Sustainable Harvest International, the lodge is working to establish a demonstration farm that promotes improved nutrition, organic agricultural techniques, and health enhancement projects as well.

More than just daily expeditions such as horseback riding and scuba diving, The Cotton Tree Lodge is an emblem of eco-friendliness, educating the public not only on environmental sensitivity, but also on the importance of engaging yourself in a different culture. Anyhow, don’t you think it’s about time for a great escape?  

Some eco-friendly travel tips for the green inside every globe trekker:
• Instead of using paper tickets, book flights online or through the telephone.
• Before planning an extended vacation, make sure to discontinue the newspaper
• Reduce the heat on the hot water tank, lower the thermostat, and unplug all electronics
• While traveling, try to use public transportation rather than renting a vehicle; using a bike or walking can be an adventure on its own as well
• Search for hotels that are eco-friendly (use ECOTEL to find resorts that are environmentally sensitive)
• Use rechargeable batteries rather than alkaline ones
• Pack LIGHT!

For more information: TravelTips

Next Week: ideal locations for eco-friendly adventures

Ecotourism is on the rise globally as individuals seek out more eco-friendly ways to travel and spend their vacation days. Among the fastest growing traveling trends, eco-tours currently represent 5% of the overall U.S. travel and tourism market, with expeditions heading to Hawaii and Alaska ranking among highest.

Several benefits of eco-tours noted by geo-travelers around the world include more ‘genuine’ and educational experiences, gaining a better understanding of the particular culture in which they are immersed in, and simply acquiring a greater appreciation for the environment.

Ecotourism, defined as “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people” (TIES, 1990), ranges from staying in tropical tents along the beach, kayak guides in Belize, horseback riding along the surfs of Jamaica, and a wide variety of other adventures that offer travelers a more intimate relationship with the local communities. Often times, a portion of the profits gained by programs providing eco-tours go to local non-profit organizations supporting community growth and development.

Tripling since 2004, ecotourism is growing rapidly and will surely become one of the many alternatives to vacations in front of the TV. Stay tuned for more tips on eco-friendly traveling.

Hand it to the Spanish to always be one step ahead of us in making unique and gorgeous architecture. Treehugger.com reports that Madrid’s Barajas Airport has just received an awesome new roof over one of its terminals and it’s made completely out of bamboo plywood. Aside from the fact that the roof of Terminal 4 is a beautiful work of art, design company Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners took into consideration the environmental benefits of using bamboo as their medium. Being that bamboo is an eco-friendly and sustainable source of wood, the bamboo used in this case also takes full advantage of daylight! How, do you ask? Well, the article reports that the roof itself is “punctuated,” allowing for a controlled amount of natural light in and eliminating the need for any fluorescent fixtures. The result is that of energy saving alternatives and public art at airport terminals.

When you’re planning your next vacation or weekend getaway, consider staying at a sustainable or green hotel instead of an over the top penthouse. This article from ENN.com talks about how eco-tourism is gaining popularity and a strong foothold in the travel industry. Free parking for hybrid vehicles, sheep wool insulation, and solar and wind powered energy are just a few of the amenities that some of these green hotels offer. And no, you don’t necessarily have to stay in a treehouse in order to receive the eco-friendly rate.