How Green Are You?

The more travel companies slap the “eco” label on their products, the more savvy consumers should suspect many of those claims are simply hype. Travelers who want to be responsible can have a hard time knowing which companies are truly eco-friendly and which are just trying to profit from a new craze.

So how can you judge the real deal? Ecotourism bundles several principles:

• it should not deface or degrade the environment;
  
• it should respect the local culture; and
  
• it should enhance the well-being of the people and communities involved.
  

Many travelers have added one more caveat:

• The Maya Mountain Lodge in Belize offers tours where participants can explore Mayan ruins, swim under waterfalls or learn to cook local cuisine.
• Tom Eppenberger Jr.

• an ecotourism trip should not contribute to global warming.
  

While the travel industry has begun to respond to the increased demand for eco-sensitive travel, ultimately, it’s up to us to push the industry to adopt more responsible practices. “Consumers have to be setting the agenda, playing a bigger part by voting with their wallets,” noted Fiona Jeffery, chairman of the World Travel Market, at its international event that attracted travel professionals from more than 200 countries last year. Her organization focuses on four key responsible tourism issues: carbon neutralization, water conservation, cultural and environmental respect, and poverty reduction.

The sacrifices required by eco-friendly travel are usually to cost and/or convenience. That may mean looking beyond the cheapest flight, hanging up your towels each night, or turning off the lights and the water when not in use, even though you aren’t paying for them. Says Jeffery: “It’s not good enough simply leaving responsible tourism concerns to the industry and hoping that the world’s travel and climate problems will go away. It is the future of their children and grandchildren we are talking about now. Are [tourists] going to jeopardize that for two or three reckless weeks of holiday with a company that has no interest in sustainable tourism, or indeed, the local communities that are so often exploited and ignored?”

• These villas give Daintree Eco Lodge guests the feeling of being “at one with nature” while in this Australian rainforest.
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Before your next journey, analyze its sustainability by asking yourself or your tour company these key questions:

Global Warming and Carbon Neutrality

• Does your train, bus, plane, or car use an alternative fuel?
• Have you calculated the amount of carbon generated by this trip and purchased carbon offsets from a reputable company to counter its impact?
• Are you or your tour company part of an advocacy group that is pushing for cleaner fuels, higher-fuel-efficiency legislation, and carbon-use labeling?
• Are you traveling as light as possible to reduce transportation weight?
  

Water Conservation

As water resources become increasingly scarce, eco-travelers should be extremely parsimonious with their water consumption, especially in dry environments. The European Environment Agency estimates that in the Mediterranean, a tourist may use over four times as much water as a local resident.

• Is your hotel helping to increase access to portable water for local communities?
• Is your hotel taking steps to ensure it isn’t depleting or contaminating the local water supply?
• Does your hotel encourage guests to reuse towels, turn off water and lights, and protect the local environment?