Green travel trends
By Bunny Sherman
OZOCAR
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Kermit had it wrong – it is easy being green, even when you're on the road. What's more, eco-travel no longer requires sacrificing modern amenities. Here are five convenient truths about environmentally conscious travel.
1. Sustainable wheels
Thanks to the folks at Ozocar, hybrids are now available for hire in New York. Their fleet of chauffeur-driven vehicles includes the Toyota Prius and the Lexus RX 400h, with added luxuries like laptops, Wi-Fi and satellite radio. Other green rental options include recycled vegetable oil-fuelled cars at Bio-Beetle (in L.A. and Maui), San Francisco's Electric Time Car Rentals and hybrids available from select Budget and Enterprise locations.
BLUE SUN BACKPACK
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2. Sun power
Look to the heavens for the power to regenerate your gadgets. Using solar panel-powered rechargers like the Blue Sun Backpack, you can recharge your cellphone in about two hours. Or try the Solio, with adaptors available for all your various electronic gadgets.
3. Treading lightly
If you're concerned about your environmental footprint, slip on a pair of gentle-treading shoes. Chaco Z/rivative sandals are high-endurance, resoleable and created with recycled rubber. For a larger selection, try Nairobi-based Ecosandals, a volunteer-driven non-profit business that benefits Korogocho, a Kenyan shantytown.
Buyer beware: There are still no international standards in eco-certification, so before you settle on your eco-adventure, don't be afraid to ask about requirements regarding staff training, water and power conservation, waste management and auditing.
4. Green beds
Lots of hotels and resorts brandish their green initiatives, like towel reuse and outdoor activities, but how eco-friendly are they? To identify the truly green, turn to the eco-certification system used by Green Globe. Based on the principles established by the UN at the Rio Earth Summit, it is one of the most rigorous programs around, evaluating everything from greenhouse gas emissions and land-use planning to waste, noise and eco-conservation.
Earthwatch Institute
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5. Eco-action
For those looking for a more hands-on experience, Earthwatch Institute offers a list of volunteer getaways as diverse as the habitats they are trying to protect. Research subjects vary from Bengal's orchids to Britain's basking sharks (the second largest fish in the world, found off the coast of Scotland) to the marine mammals of Monterrey, Mexico.
(Bunny Sherman is a Montreal-based writer. She loves karaoke and collects ephemera.)
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