| With the arrival of warmer months comes the desire | | | | establishments, deal with gridlock or hold any |
| to travel and see new places. However, traveling can | | | | concerns about your vehicle. |
| be one of the human activities that contributes to | | | | Whatever transportation method you use, you may |
| global warming the most. The following article will | | | | choose to offset your carbon emissions by |
| guide you in making informed choices about your | | | | purchasing a carbon neutralization package. This is a |
| travel plans, allowing you to find a pleasurable escape | | | | great way to actively stop global warming and |
| while reducing your carbon footprint. | | | | support companies that are working towards curbing |
| Stop Global Warming Travel Tip #1: Seek Out | | | | emissions. They will neutralize your carbon emissions |
| Ecotourism Opportunities | | | | by supporting a variety of projects that will offset |
| According to The International Ecotourism Society, | | | | the amount of carbon your travel produces. Here is |
| ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural | | | | one example to check out: |
| areas that conserves the environment and improves | | | | Stop Global Warming Travel Tip #3: Lower Your |
| the well-being of local people." This concept is based | | | | Tourist Impact |
| on the intersection of conservation, communities, and | | | | Once you arrive at your destination, no matter |
| sustainable travel. By seeking out ecotourism options, | | | | where you go, there are a number of ways you can |
| you can reduce your impact, preserving the special | | | | reduce your negative tourist impact and your carbon |
| qualities of the places to which you were drawn in | | | | contributions while maximizing your positive influence. |
| the first place. | | | | Should your travels find you in an urban setting, try |
| When planning your trip, look for lodging that has a | | | | depending on public transportation instead of a |
| responsible environmental policy. Unfortunately, there | | | | rented car or taxis. This will give you a taste of the |
| is no uniform certification standard from which to | | | | true flavor of the city while saving you the hassle of |
| judge and "greenwashing" can be a problem, but | | | | navigating traffic and finding parking on foreign |
| there are some ways you can decipher industry | | | | streets, not to mention the substantial monetary |
| leaders from wannabes. First, you can start by | | | | savings. Many public transit systems even offer |
| searching the web for hotels that advertise | | | | weeklong and weekend packages for unlimited travel, |
| responsible environmental practices, then either follow | | | | a true bargain for the mobile tourist. |
| up with a phone call or check with a knowledgeable | | | | Save money on dining by locating the local farmer's |
| travel agency. Look for some kind of third-party | | | | market. Besides providing a more authentic local |
| awarded certification. Some of the more well-known | | | | experience, it can help answer such questions as: |
| certifications are: Energy Star (with a rating of at | | | | what grows here in July? Why is this town famous |
| least 75/100), LEED certified building design, EU | | | | for its specialty cheese or its rhubarb pie? By |
| Eco-label, Green Globe (Australia, New Zealand, Asia, | | | | supporting the farmer's markets, you will get to |
| and expanding to the Caribbean), Green Leaf | | | | experience fresh, delicious foods that are specific to |
| (Canada), and Sustainable Tourism Certification | | | | the given region. Furthermore, purchasing |
| Network of the Americas (a joint effort of the | | | | locally-grown food helps reduce your so-called "food |
| Rainforest Alliance and The International Ecotourism | | | | miles", or the distance your food has traveled, a |
| Society). Some establishments may have earned | | | | major contributor to greenhouse gases. |
| recognition for some of their eco-groovy practices. | | | | In the spirit of adventure, try patronizing some of |
| Stop Global Warming Travel Tip#2: Get There | | | | the local establishments for your eating, drinking and |
| Responsibly | | | | recreational pleasure! Remember to be mindful of |
| As the journey to your destination will probably be | | | | delicate ecosystems should your travel take you to a |
| the most emission-intense portion of your vacation, | | | | wilderness area. Traveling to forests, beaches, etc. is |
| there are several alternatives for lowering your | | | | a privilege and should be treated as such to ensure |
| impact. Flying is by far the most polluting option. | | | | that you and others can return for a special |
| Especially if you are traveling in a group, it is far more | | | | experience in the years to come. When venturing |
| cost effective (both in dollars and emissions) to go | | | | into the great outdoors, remember to pack out what |
| by car. Whenever using a car, it is important to keep | | | | you brought in, making sure to leave all places in the |
| the tires inflated, ensuring that the engine need not | | | | same condition you found them. Consider |
| work any harder - a practice that will reduce | | | | non-motorized forms of recreation such as hiking, |
| emissions and save cash! | | | | biking, swimming, sailing or horseback riding - not only |
| Train travel, while often overlooked, is the best | | | | will the serenity be refreshing to your ears, but they |
| option when it comes to making the journey, if you | | | | result in fewer greenhouse gases. Remember, if it |
| can afford the time. The many benefits of train | | | | has a motor, there is a good chance it is spewing |
| travel include: social interaction with other passengers | | | | emissions into the atmosphere! |
| and not having to constantly seek out eating | | | | |