Save Eco Destinations

Restricted Area: Marine Turtles' Nesting Ground

As you might have expected, not much has changed since I last posted about the ecocide alert by the Grupo Posadas at Xcacel-Xcacelito. Essentially, the turtles are going down.

The Grupo Posadas claims to have acquired the necessary permits to build in the area, and also claims that the development will not go on in it but subjacent to it, and that consequently the development will not harm the Xcacel-Xcacelito ecosystem. Yeah–tell that to the turtles.

Anyway, the Mexican environmental and urban development authorities, in turn, claim the Grupo Posadas is pulling this information out of their ass. They said that they have not been involved in the procuring of any permits for these corporate hypocrites, and that no building permits are in the works for the area either. Further, they said that any legal complaint must go to Tulum, as the area is out of their jurisdiction. Huh?

And so, the Grupo Posadas goes on destroying the endangered turtles’ nesting ground and national reserve area and is getting away with it scot-free. Environmentalists can do nothing but roll around in their own frustration, as nobody else seems to care, or at least not enough to do something tangibly useful. The Mexican government, meanwhile, washes its filthy hands in the blood of endangered species plus air, water, and noise pollution.

Maybe they’ll care many years from now, once the country’s popular tourist spots turn murky and putrid, resorts shut down, and locals become the regular victims of cancer and other deadly ailments brought about by humans’ greed and stupidity. Maybe they’ll care–once it’s too late.

Learning economics by diving

My Google Alerts caught something that made me smile: the story of DePauw economics professor Gary Lemon, who takes his winter term students on diving trips to Cozumel, Tulum, and Chichen Itza every year.

The article mentions that trips to such destinations comprise economics lessons in and of themselves for the students (I don’t buy it). But, whatever the reason, it’s nice to read that his most frequently uttered words during those trips are always the caveat, “If I see you grabbing on to the coral, you better have one heck of a reason.”

Professor Lemon goes out of his way-as he should-to instruct his students on how to be ecologically responsible and make their activities eco-friendly. (No information is given as to where they stay, whether they wear biodegradable sunscreen to keep corals safe, or whether they offset the carbon footprint from their flights and so on in any way, however. And I am curious.)

If these ridiculously lucky students don’t fly home to DePauw in Indiana with an acute understanding of the region’s economic underpinnings, they do return with a (likely newfound) appreciation for the beauty and frailty of the underwater world. After their experiences going scuba diving, some students have even switched academic specialties, e.g. from physics to marine biology, and as a second semester junior! That’s gotta be considerable work. But hey, the harder the work, the more we know these future marine biologists are working for the good guys and gals. Good job, Prof. Lemon!

Where Aldea Zamná would be.

First known as Downtown Tulum and now as Aldea Zamná, a.k.a. Aldea Zamá and Zamá Village, this lot of 74 hectares (183 acres) would, if we let it, become a residential and commercial area “offering comfort, peace and safety in harmony with nature.” I bet.

(See our post from last year, “Save Tulum, Mexico”)

It’s been a controversial issue since its inception back around July of last year, both before and after the investors acquired authorization to build their development from the government. But, hey, we know it ain’t hard to get authorization in Mexico. It’s about as easy as finding scantily clad women at the beach. I’ve really had it up to my ears with corruption in Latin America. It’s such an old issue it’s not even remotely entertaining anymore. It just makes people bitter. Oh, so bitter.

Current guilty parties include Victor Mass Tah, Gonzalo Arcila, and businessman Rodolfo Rosas Moya representing the awesome investors who doled out at least $50 million early last year to build their evil empire on lush patches of jungle.

Hey, we need another golf course by the beach on Riviera Maya. Come on. I know what you really want, you khaki-wearing, vehemently Republican, pasty white golf aficionados! You can’t fool me.

Expect the usual land, water, air, and noise pollution. Fortunately, many are absolutely willing to pay more for the eco-friendly integrity and harmony of an eco hotel. You can always do something, and boycotting massive pollution-spewing developments is #1 on the list.

More to come.

Understand Spanish? Watch this misleading video touting Aldea Zamná as an utmost eco-friendly development beneficial to Tulum:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvpXHhq84g8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999]

Flooding in Tartagal, Argentina

If you called in or emailed Argentine President Cristina Kirchner last week, you deserve an enthusiastic pat on the back: it worked!

Greenpeace reports that over 1,000 people harassed the government daily demanding the signed implementation of the Forest Law-and we got it. Things like this always make me smile, and wide.

Such efforts are crucial to fight deforestation and the resulting natural disasters such as the flooding in Tartagal, up in the northwestern province of Salta in Argentina, where thousands lost their homes to the violent infiltration of volumes of mud.

Deforestation is about destroying the fertility of soil, biodiversity, and leaving the soil useless to protect the land against intensive flooding (due to accelerated erosion) as it warps the natural regulation of river basins. Fighting it is, therefore, imperative to our planet-and our human and non-human community.

Meanwhile, Tartagal lays drowned in mud, with dead animals rotting in the streets, people missing, snakes everywhere, its waters polluted, and ravenous mosquitoes sucking the blood out of everyone in sight. As a bonus, people have to watch out for explosives in certain areas, as oil companies’ explosives were dragged out by the flood. Some explosives have fortunately been found and subsequently deactivated. Apparently, something as seemingly innocuous as a cell phone can trigger them.

The people in Tartagal are poor and humble, with nothing to spare and now nothing at all. The capitalist efforts to force oil out of the ground, tear down trees, and the ten million other atrocities they commit every second of every day make me want to puke.

Please take action however way you can to spread the word when you hear of something, and make your voice heard to demand change.

Always remember the wise Margaret Mead’s words: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Hollywood Beach, FL

The Desoto Inn ($150-175)

With 4/5 green stars from EcoHotelsoftheWorld.com, you’ll sleep cozy and happy about your responsible choice in this slightly retro inn founded in the ‘60s. In ’99 they began implementing green energy, energy reduction, green housekeeping products, water gathering, low-flush facilities, and gray water consumption. You even get your own recycling bin in your room. That would make me smile. It’s sad that I lived in FL for 5 years and I never knew about places like this. (Becoming eco-conscious really broadens your horizons!)

Set close to the Everglades (watch out for the alligators!) and next to the Anne Kolb Nature Center on the Atlantic coast, you’ll be free to kayak, hike, take a boat tour, snorkel, swim, bike, and more for free or a low fee (which is especially nice when you’re paying so much per night!). For general area happenings, go here.

Also, Hollywood is close to Miami, which is a spectacular place to party (I’m not saying it’s green, but you won’t even remember…). So rent a hybrid and go reap the Miami nightlife until you get kicked out at 5am or later. Have your drinks in the rental car once you park and you will 1) keep plastic cups and straws from being tossed and never recycled, and 2) save money, because those trendy bastards can charge crazy amounts for cocktails. You can also buy beers and take the bottles back with you to recycle. There’s also Churchill’s Pub, a laid-back, seedy bar in Little Haiti where you’ll hear lots of local bands as well as some big acts (tip: you do not want to get lost there because it isn’t safe, so get your directions straight!) Check out what to do here: Miami New Times.

That’s one sweet spring break.

While air, water, and soil pollution poison the ecosystem and the region’s inhabitants, thousands of square miles of (previously) pristine Northern Canadian forests in Alberta are being killed for oil. Watch a video here.

Gigantic digging machines are tearing into the soil and harming the forests’ topsoil to the extent that the land becomes sterile. This is going on daily, hourly, constantly, like it previously did in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. And it’s been going on for years. (I’m surprised, Canada!)

What’s great is that the Canadian Government is using several billions of its people’s tax money to go about this destruction of “Canada’s Amazon of the North.” Even in Brazil–in South America, where corruption tops North America’s by a landslide-the government is doing something proactive, taking a responsible ecological stance to help protect its natural habitats (whether the Brazilian Government is achieving its goals is certainly another matter). Evidently, this isn’t even your everyday forest, it’s a vast stretch of dense, rich land-which, as it rots courtesy of the aforementioned digging machines, produces obscene amounts of CO2. And don’t forget the water pollution (and marine wildlife pollution, and the pollution ingested by humans when they consume said wildlife). AND THE OIL.

Well, I guess this are will no longer be an eco destination!

Maybe I don’t know anything and I’m talking out of my —, but I thought Canada was more progressive than the States about things like this. Well, obviously I was wrong: the CO2 emissions originating from the Tar Sands, which Canada is ruining on purpose, puts the country way up there with the U.S. in terms of pollution.

Know this, Canada: all the polar bears drowning in the Arctic because of accelerated glacial melting are cursing you with their last breaths.

So now what? Just like we ought to call Argentina’s president and demand she stop Tartagal’s deforestation, we ought to give Canada’s politicians a beating. Wait. I mean, we should demand a law against ecocide. All of us, around the world. The more the merrier.

Check out comments on this issue here.

It's very eco-friendly to keep animals in captivity!!

MexicoVacationTravels.com touts the Croco Cun Zoo in Puerto Morelos as a place where you can have ecological fun.

Are you kidding me?

Somebody ought to punch that entry’s author and everyone involved with that zoo in the face.

They’re not green: they’re hypocrites.

One thing is taking a jungle tour and surreptitiously, quietly, respectfully, witnessing the beauty and majesty of nature’s fauna and flora. The point being to avoid disruption, to not stress out the animals, to be eco-friendly without altering the ecosystem.

Another thing is supporting a zoo, an establishment that has intruded on nature to build facilities in which to exploit (sorry, exhibit) endangered animals. They are keeping these animals captive, letting you touch and feed them, pretending they’re awesome, and charging you for it. These people represent another group of humans who have sold their souls. But this group is worse than, say, the corporations in charge of Tartagal’s deforestation, because the people of Croco Cun Zoo want you to think they’re on yours and nature’s side, when in truth it’s a ruse, it’s insulting to the animals and to us.

They say their mission is to educate  when copious studies have found “there is little evidence that schools are developing children’s understanding of zoology during such visits or that the visitors are using the interpretation provided by the museum or zoo.” In general, zoos “provide few opportunities for amusement and education.”

The folks at Croco Cun Zoo just want your money-at animals’ expense. Don’t let their sugarcoated words fool you.

Floods in Tartagal, 2009

In the northwest of Argentina lays a province called Salta, a popular tourist spot, whose trees corporations love to chop down. Salta comprises many rich ecosystems-well, fewer and fewer ecosystems these days.

Currently, the city of Tartagal has been experiencing very destructive floods-since at least 2006, actually! Watch a video here . Every year Argentina gets a rerun, and in other provinces too, e.g. Tucumán (see picture above).

The 2006 flood is evidence that the deforestation of this region’s Argentine forests is a direct cause of these dismal consequences. Now thousands of people have lost their homes because some greedy corporate businessmen have sold their souls to desecrate the planet and fill their fat pockets with crisp dollar bills.

It’s 2009, and still there’s been no progress. There is no firm policy against the massacre of Salta’s forests. See, last year, 1.5 million Argentines stood up and helped create the Forest Law-which hasn’t been put into practice by the government. It’s a shame that with a woman-a minority-president, things remain the same as before. But hey: greed knows no sex, race, class, sexual orientation, or anything else, right? Dough is dough, and when you’re vile enough to rig an election to win the presidency, people can’t expect much…

Please tell the Argentine Government what you think and demand they stop Salta’s deforestation – stop the Forest Law boycott!! or, if you can speak a little Spanish and can spare a couple of bucks, speak up! Call the Red Greenpeace Phone Line at 0011-5411-4000-5580 Mondays through Fridays from 7AM to 3PM EST and tell President Cristina Kirchner to get her ass in gear about the Forest Law.

Whale watching in Sydney

Whenever I think of whale watching, I think of Margaret Cho: “Lesbians love whale watching!”  But hey, that doesn’t mean non-lesbians can’t enjoy the splendor of said activity! I’ve never done it (or maybe when I was a kid, but I was too young to be profoundly impacted by it) but it sounds grand.

On a more serious note, as you probably already know, whales are having a hard time these days. I wish humans weren’t so cruel about whales, throwing harpoons at them, selling their meat in the black market, and so on. I guess a lot of us do (that’s why you’re reading this!). You can do something to help stop whaling here as well as make a donation here .

Here are 3 responsible whale watching resources:

Anyway, you can do some gay-and-whale-friendly whale watching at Puerto Vallarta (maybe you’ll find Margaret Cho there!) . Whale watching season in the area started in December and runs through March 23 (hurry!). What you want to do is book a tour-here are some recommended (although not by us) whale watching tour companies. These companies abide by the Mexican government’s official whale watching regulations.

Another good spot for responsible whale watching is Sydney (hey, why not?)

Finally, in Hawaii you’ll find the Pacific Whale Foundation dedicated to the protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs, and general ocean health. They provide eco tours, education, and research opportunities.

You can become a member to aid in their efforts, even adopt a whale or dolphin! I remember when I was a kid, for Christmas I’d give people adoption certificates for endangered animals and a stuffed wolf or whatever animal it was they had adopted. I guess they were expecting something more material, but I didn’t care-I was happy to be helping! Why do you need another iPod or new pair of shoes when you’ve got several already, and you could donate a little money for a good cause? We’re drowning in consumerism, anyway. When you want to gift, think of these laudable causes!!

There are certainly eco ways to whale watch if that’s what you’re into. The three resources above are just the beginning!

If you have any recommendations or words of wisdom, please share them!

Greenspace, New Zealand

Note: I’d like to say that I think it’s awful to have to say anything is “LGBT” friendly or “eco” friendly, etc.-everything, by default, should be these things. Everywhere and everything should be open-minded and progressive enough so that we stop viewing the standard as heterosexual white males. (What’s the deal with “chick” flicks vs. flicks? Why not “guy” flicks? Because all films are for men unless otherwise noted, right? It drives me up the freakin’ wall!!)

Anyway, until our world gets its shit together, here is some data I’ve rounded up where you won’t find conservative heterosexuals hogging all the eco fun:

1. Canada-based OUT Adventures will organize your vacation itinerary at affordable prices. This company claims to use 100% green power in its head office and that all its trips will be carbon neutral by 2011.  You can choose from Active, Comfort, In Style, Independent, and Family trips.

I think they have a long way to go in terms of greening their trips in addition to their approach (which I of course applaud). When they say travel green they mean not littering and not wasting water-but what about staying at lodges with a sustainable wastewater management system? Let’s hope that’s next for OUT!

2. Visit Christchurch, New Zealand and stay at GreenSpace. It touts itself as the only genuine urban eco lodge in NZ. In any case, check it out: it’s got solar water heating, non-toxic interior and exterior painted surfaces, recycled carpet insulation, on-site organic veggie and herb garden, planting of native trees, chemical-free and cruelty-free cleaning and other products (yay for animal rights!), they buy food from local Co-ops, compost, recycle, serve organic coffee, are vegetarian/vegan (very cool!), and even the toilet paper is unbleached and eco-friendly!

It makes me want to go if only to use their bathroom, in which, by the way, I could use my laptop (that’s right: wi-fi!). Prices go from $85-140. Then you can hit the beach, they’ll help you plan your trips, and they even offer babysitting services.

Also, they give you a head’s up so you can offset your carbon footprint through Kiwi Green Regeneration.

It sounds pretty sweet. What would make it more awesome is a sustainable wastewater management system (I am way fixated on these lately, huh?).

Do you have any resources to share? We’d love to hear about them!

More in our next post!