Save Eco Destinations

Celebrity Cruises’s Celebrity Xpedition vessel sailing along the Galapagos Islands.

By Claire Harding

Over the last year the ecotourism industry has grown by 15%, and is one of the fastest growing areas of tourism worldwide. Ecotourism is often described as sustainable tourism or travel, often having an educational, ecological focus which is respectful and beneficial towards local cultures, geographies, communities and economies. Despite the rising popularity of ecotourism, tourism in general continues to rise, with more tourists wishing to travel from developing economies such as Brazil, India, Russia and China.

As more and more people want to see the world and experience new and interesting places, one of the major challenges for the tourism industry is to adapt traditional tourism in a way that is more sustainable, limiting its global ecological and cultural impact? This article suggests that tourism should head towards the seas.

Cutting long distances

When someone mentions tourism, the first thing that springs to mind is visiting new and exotic places. Almost by definition, it is impossible to get to new and exotic places without involving some form of travel. How can we fulfil our travel needs in a sustainable way?

Air travel

Air travel is often spoken of as a highly unsustainable mode of transport. However, many people also observe that travelling by plane can actually be more efficient than other modes of transport such as a train or a car. Although a Boeing 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile, it must also be remembered that the aircraft has a carrying capacity of 568 people, therefore using approximately 0.01 gallons per person per mile, using roughly the same amount of fuel as a car carrying four people.

So what is the biggest problem with air travel? One issue is that because of the altitude planes travel at, harmful emissions and greenhouse gasses are released directly into the upper atmosphere where they do more damage. However, by far the greatest problem with air travel is that it facilitates long distance travel, encouraging people to travel further and use vast amounts of energy more frequently.

Travelling over short distances

One of the most important challenges for sustainable tourism is the need to encourage people to travel shorter distances, and take their vacations locally or in neighbouring countries which are accessible by boat or train. The recent growth in UK tourism has been accredited to the economic recession and the fact that people are unable to travel long distances. In the US also, the economic climate and increasing fuel prices has resulted in people travelling shorter distances in their cars, taking their vacations closer to home.

The cost of travel clearly has a dramatic effect on the choices people make concerning their vacations. Higher tax regulations on fuel used for leisure and holiday travel, would be a very efficient way of encouraging people to travel shorter distances and use more sustainable modes of transport over long distances.

Long distance travel by boat

If you do need to travel long distances, one of the most sustainable modes of transport is to travel by boat, such as passenger ship or ferry. Recent advances in ship engineering, tighter regulations involving the use of sea water ballast in the fuel tanks of large cruise ships and ferries and Load on Top refuelling all mean that modern large ships are producing far less sea water contamination than traditional designs.

Furthermore, there is a large emphasis on producing modes of shipping which use less energy. For thousands of years, wind, which is a renewable energy resource, was the preferred mode of shipping before steam came along. Recent efforts are underway to bring wind travel to power large cargo vessels. If these are successful, it is very likely that wind may become a popular and entirely green option for mass human transportation. Could we see resurgence in cruising holidays as a method of ecotourism?

Cruising as sustainable tourism

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, cruising holidays declined in popularity. However, cruising companies are putting a lot of effort into restoring the image of this once highly glamorous mode of tourism. Furthermore, there has been a large emphasis on the development of green cruising, in order to make cruising holidays a more sustainable form of tourism.

If cruise ships are able to become increasingly energy-efficient and reduce their carbon footprint, cruising could be a highly accessible and sustainable form of ecotourism. The idea of a giant luxury cruise liner roaring through the seas may not sound very green. However, one fine example of how cruising can be considered ecotourism is by looking at the use of cruising on the Galapagos Islands.

Due to their isolated geographical location, warm water, and volcanic nature, the Galapagos Islands have one of the most diverse and visually exciting ecosystems in the world. These are tightly regulated and protected by conservation regulations which prevent any building or permanent dwellings on most of the Islands. The only way to see the abundance of nature available at Galapagos is on board small vessels which are effectively small cruises.

These cruises have a limited impact on the surrounding ecosystem and require little or no permanent infrastructure to be left behind on the Islands. In addition, money from tourism helps to fund education about the need for further conservation. The model of the Galapagos Islands suggests how ocean- or water-based vacations can be a sustainable and effective form of ecotourism, and meet our global tourism demands.

By David Frosh

Bioregionalism transcends the socially defined borders of our world. Instead of defining areas according to national and political boundaries, areas are defined by the tangible and natural features of the land. This idea also maintains the belief that cultures and traditions play a role in how physical regions are determined.

The term bioregionalism, along with its ideas, is a relatively young concept. In the early 1970′s Peter Berg and Raymond Dasmann coined the term is their work. Since then, bioregionalisms have emerged in support of the ideals that Berg and Dasmann advocated. Bioregionalism bears some resemblance to environmentalism in that they both share the same spirit of appreciating and living peacefully with nature, rather than trying to clear it away or otherwise disrupt its presence in our world.

Bioregionalism vs. Environmentalism

It is important to note, though, that bioregionalism differs greatly from environmentalism in key ways. Bio regionalists have transcended the environmentalist idea that consumerism and human life must be at odds with nature. Instead, bioregionalism believes that humans and nature can coexist and even benefit from one another. The environmentalist perspective has long assigned the role of victim to nature and advocated the use of protests to protect and separate nature from human life. From a bio regionalists viewpoint, human culture and wilderness are inextricably tied and they can and should benefit from each other so that both can be sustained through time.

How does bioregionalism view land?

To understand the way that bioregionalism views land, consider the Ozarks. The Ozarks is a bioregion that ignores politically defined state boundaries. Southern Missouri, northwest Arkansas, the northeast part of Oklahoma, and the southeast part of Kansas make up what is known as the Ozarks Plateau. The terrain and other features of this area are environmentally and thus culturally, similar. Viewing an environmental area strictly from its state boundaries, according to the bio regionalist perspective, diminishes our ability to build a sustainable relationship with the environment. It also draws away from the basic tenets of bioregionalism that teach us to:

• Make sure that political boundaries line up with ecological ones
• Promote using local products and foods
• Promote the use and cultivation of native species of plants
• Pay attention to and celebrate the particular ecology of the bioregion
• Promote a sustainable relationship with the ecology of the bioregion

Bioregionalism as is described here has actually been around and practiced by people for hundreds of years, although it hadn’t been defined yet. Essentially, it is the practice of living a life that focuses on using local resources and sustaining those resources through responsible consumption and appreciation for the local biological community in which we choose to live.

David Frosh is a frequent blogger on higher education topics. Several schools offer MPA degrees, including USF and NWU.

By Annabelle Smyth

2013 has arrived, and to most people, a new year means a new beginning of sorts, a fresh start and a new chance at life. If you are looking to make a resolution this year about reducing your carbon footprint, consider getting a few of these environmentally friendly gadgets, which you can find at Vivint.

A Solar Powered Charger

There are a few solar powered chargers on the market and getting one would not only lower your energy bill and lessen your footprint, but it may as well be what keeps you connected in the event of an emergency. These chargers can charge anything from a laptop or a tablet to a few cell phones at once. If there was an emergency, and your power was cut, you would be able to use this charger to keep your electronics on and keep you connected with the outside world and able to make contact with people. It also is simply an eco friendly way to charge your phone, and gets that energy sucking phone charger out of your outlet.

Occupancy Sensing Light Switch

This amazing light switch is designed to turn on only when necessary. It detects if someone is in the room, and automatically turns on when someone enters. It also will shut the lights off after a period of inactivity. And, a super cool bonus, it has a sensor that determines the amount of natural light in the room and will turn the lights off accordingly, so they are only on when absolutely needed. Most people will leave their lights on when they leave the room, or even the house, and this handy little light switch will definitely lower their light bills and lessen their impact on our environment!

Shower Timer and Alarm

Wasting water is probably the most common bad habit among people who are trying to reduce their footprint. Whether it is from those long showers we insist on taking or running the water when we brush our pearly whites, most of us can admit to being careless when it comes to our water use. When you run the shower, you use about 5-8 gallons of water per minute, meaning that 30 minute shower could fill a small pool or an inflatable hot tub. That is a lot of water. Getting this gadget, which you can use to take shorter showers, will reduce your costs as well as your carbon footprint.

Getting some cool environmentally friendly gadgets can help you turn things around and go green in 2013! If you want more information about solar panels and security systems, you can follow Vivint on Twitter.

By Lyndsi Decker

Saving the environment has become increasingly important. While recycling and reusing products are two ways to help the environment, using eco-friendly cleaning products is another. There are many benefits to using environmentally safe cleaning products. These products help reduce waste and do not contain toxic chemicals. Here are a few eco-friendly cleaning solutions:

Homemade Products

Learning how to make homemade cleaning products will decrease the household’s reliance on non-renewable products – and save you money. Some products can be made from items already found in the house. Baking soda doubles as a cleaning agent that cleans pots and pans, bathroom fixtures and counter tops  especially when coupled with vinegar and/or lemon. When you do buy green products, make sure they do not contain petroleum or other synthetic ingredients.

Use Natural Sponges and Cleaning Rags

Synthetic sponges, mops and cleaning rags are often made from non-biodegradable materials. If the products are antimicrobial, they more than likely contain toxic ingredients such as polyester. Consider switching from synthetic cleaning implements to natural ones such as cotton. Natural mop heads and rags will often be marked as such. The use of natural mops and sponges will decrease the need for non-biodegradable substances. Use recycled t-shirts as cleaning cloths. It gives the shirts another life; they can be reused and decrease the waste caused by paper towel usage.

Read the Labels

Pay attention to manufacturers’ labels. Labels that have words like “toxic,” “caution” and “poison” should be of concern to consumers. They are placed on products because they contain ingredients that are harmful to you and your family. These products should not come into contact with skin, be ingested or even inhaled, which will occur while you’re cleaning with them. Some of these products are also known to cause allergies. Making an effort to buy eco-friendly cleaning agents can reduce the amount of pollutants in the home and the environment.

Air Purification

Air purifiers are a good way to remove pollutants from the air. Some purifiers clean the air, but release unsafe byproducts into a room. Some plants have the ability to act as natural purifiers. They absorb the chemicals in the air and introduce oxygen back into the room. Aloe and ferns are examples of good air-cleansing plants. Not only are these plants a natural way to purify the air, but they are also lively and cheerfully decorative.

The cleaning products used in the home should be safe — but often aren’t. Many widely available cleaners contain dangerous chemicals that can harm the environment and affect your and your family’s health. By using eco-friendly products, the amount of poisonous chemicals and waste released into the environment can be greatly reduced. Natural products can also help improve the health of those in the home.

Lyndsi Decker is an entrepreneur and works with several storage facilities including storage units Fayetteville and Extra Space Storage – Lakewood. Lyndsi is also a photographer and a coach for her son’s little league soccer team. 

By Kevin Vogel

Solar power is a great way to use an alternative, renewable energy source to provide electricity for a home. It is cheap and plentiful, and offers a long term energy solution for the home where the consumer does not have to rely on the utility company to provide their power. Even with tax incentives and rebates, the initial cost to the consumer can be expensive, and this added cost may scare the consumer away from adopting solar power. One way in which the consumer can manage the cost is through a piecemeal adoption of solar power units to target individual appliances in the home. A hot water heating system is often great place to start with solar power because it is a standalone unit and can be modified more easily for a solar hot water heating system.

A solar heating system consists of two main parts. There is the storage tank which holds the water and the solar collectors themselves. Depending on the system they adopt, the consumer may not need to replace their existing water heater with a system that will work with solar power, but this is still much more affordable than installing an entire solar system for the household. Essentially, there are two kinds of solar water heating systems. There is an active system which consists of circulating pumps and controls. There is also a passive system which has none of this added equipment. The storage tank in these systems operates in a very simple way. It can be a standalone solar system that preheats the water before it enters a conventional water heater. Some storage systems are combined into one system, but both require good insulation and additional inlets and outlets from the solar collectors.

The operation of an active solar powered water heating system is relatively easy to understand, and this in turn comes in two types. There is a direct circulation system that uses pumps to circulate household water through the solar collectors. The collectors themselves are what provide the heating element for the water. This kind of system works great in climates that are not prone freezing since the collectors themselves will be outside. The other kind of active system is called an indirect system. In this system pumps circulate a nonfreezing heat transfer fluid through the solar collectors and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger then heats the water that flows into the home. A passive system is useful for climates that are prone to freezing.

For the passive solar powered water heating system, these systems are typically less expensive and less efficient than active systems, but they do last longer. In passive systems, the solar collector is separate from the system, and the hot water and cold water are kept separate and the storage tank is used as a backup. Because the collector tank must be kept elevated, there are some structural concerns that the consumer must keep in mind for installation.

Solar power can be a great way to providing hot water heating for a home. It can replace gas and electric hot water tanks, and provide an entry point for the consumer in adopting solar power.

Kevin Vogel writes for ecofriendly design sites. Check out http://www.exclusiv-home.de/#solarkollektor for solar power ideas for your home.

The Appalachian Trail Near Carver’s Gap in TN

By Catie Keeler

A long-distance hike is a great way to see the world and to learn more about the environment that we all share. You can learn more about the natural world, including more about animals and plant species that may be endangered. This knowledge can help you better understand how your own actions have an impact so that you can make changes that benefit the environment and all those that live in it.

There are beautiful long-distance hikes available around the world. Whether you want to stay close to home or travel to new lands, there is a hike available for you. Not only will you learn more about nature on your hike, but you’ll consume fewer natural resources than you would on a traditional vacation, helping lessen your impact on the environment.

Here are a few of our favorite long-distance hikes at home or abroad:

The Appalachian Trail

Whether you are looking to hike for a few days or a few months, the Appalachian Trail offers options for you. The full trail is 2,175 miles long and stretches from Georgia to Maine. Walking the full trail would take you five to seven months. However, many people choose to walk just a portion, and several segments are marked along the way to customize your path.

Near Killarney, along the Kerry Way walking trail

The Kerry Way

This beautiful trail winds its way through Southwestern Ireland around the famed Kerry Peninsula (or the Ring of Kerry). The trail is broken down into multiple segments if you want to try shorter hikes, but the full trail is over 100 miles long and takes a few days to a week to complete. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful pastoral landscapes, ragged cliffs, and crashing seas.

The Milford Track

The Milford Track

Wind your way from the north of New Zealand down to the west coast on this trail that includes beautiful forests, scenic landscapes, and lovely beaches. A relatively shorter trail, this hike will take you about four days to finish. However, this hike is known around the world for its stunning views.

The Lycian Way, Turkey

Lycian Way

This challenging trail in Turkey spans 310 miles and covers 6,000-feet mountain peaks and thick forests. The Lycian Way is a relatively new trail – only just over 10 years old – but it encompasses beautiful grounds with a lot of history. The trail traces the shoreline of the Teke Peninsula in the southwest and takes a little over a month to complete.

Rogue River Gorge, Oregon

American Discovery Trail

If you really want to get to know your home country, there’s no better way than to walk its entirety from coast to coast. This trail spans 6,800 miles and 15 states from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Depending on fast you hike and how many stops you make, the trail could take you about a year or more to complete. Along the way, you’ll pass through 14 national parks and 16 national forests.

There are, of course, hundreds more long-distance trails throughout the world, each with something different to show you.

What long-distance trail have you hiked (or would you like to hike)? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Catie Keeler is the primary researcher and writer for mortgagerates.info. Her most recent accomplishments include graduating from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with a degree in business and communications. Her current focus for the site involves research about mortgage amortization and mortgage rates kansas city.

By Tonya Simpson

Experienced travelers understand that any trip worth taking is also worth insuring. The further from home you roam, the more you need travel insurance.

Shop carefully. Then, read the fine print.

As you shop for travel insurance, take time to tailor your coverage precisely to your needs. No one size truly fits all. The most popular Internet travel sites have widgets that let you select different kinds of protection and enter coverage limits; when you have completed the summary of your needs, the widgets generate quotes from several different insurance carriers. When you balance coverage and cost, you can buy your policy right there on the site. Reputable travel insurance carriers allow a 10-14 day “examination period,” which gives you ample time to read and ponder the fine print, look for loopholes, and study the exclusions. If you elect to cancel your policy during the examination period, you receive a full refund with no questions asked.

Finance your trip on your travel-friendly credit card

Most upscale credit cards come with provisions for travel. American Express, Mastercard, and Visa offer cards specially designed for frequent business travelers and worldwide adventurers, and several credit card rating and comparison sites offer clear, simple charts of benefits and costs. According to million-mile travelers, the American Express Gold Card offers the best travel protection for the most reasonable annual fee. Coverage includes medical and accident expenses and assistance, coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, generous coverage for lost baggage—including an allowance for new clothes and supplies until your luggage catches-up with you, an “inconvenience” allowance, and even provision for some legal assistance. AmEx does, however, have one glaring omission: it does not include supplemental rental car insurance, coverage that veterans insist in absolutely essential for safe, worry-free travel.

Five essential protections

Experts insist you must carry five kinds of essential travel insurance protection:

• Cancellation and interruption insurance In addition to covering “change fees” with airlines, cancellation and interruption insurance covers all your pre-paid, non-refundable expenses, including pre-paid charters and rentals for recreational activities and special excursions. You’re covered for sickness, injury, and bereavement; you’re also protected in cases of natural disaster, terrorist attacks, and changes in your work schedule. Your coverage extends to include nearly 20 other common reasons for altering your itinerary.

• Medical insurance and evacuation coverage Your regular health insurance does not coverage medical treatment outside the United States, and your credit card’s medical coverage may not stretch to cover the costs of catastrophic illness or injury. Most importantly, not all medical insurance pays for evacuation via helicopter or special air transport. Make sure you have all the protection you need.

• Protection against loss and delay Your baggage may take off on an adventure of its own, and you may lose a few precious items before it makes its way back to you. The best travel insurance covers total loss, single-item loss, and the costs of replacing your clothing and toiletries until your bags are returned. Just as importantly, if you experience a delay longer than four hours, the best coverage allows you to use airport amenities or secure overnight accommodations without money out-of-pocket.

• Supplemental rental car insurance Your travel insurance should pay not only for limited damage waivers but also should provide extra liability and breakdown insurance; the best policies cover roadside assistance of all kinds, and they pay “inconvenience charges,” including costs of food and lodging that result from an auto accident of mechanical failure.

• 24/7 phone assistance Your coverage must include access to skilled assistants ready to solve your problems at any time of the day or night at any intersection of latitudes and longitudes. Professional, personable, practical problem-solvers should be standing by throughout your trip.

The most important numbers

As you travel, carry all your essential documents and vital information in some kind of super-safe pouch which you keep on your person at all times. You may back up this information in your smart phone or tablet, but do not depend entirely on your consumer electronics because they always are vulnerable to damage, theft, and loss. Atop your list of vital digits, store the toll-free numbers for United States embassies in all the countries you will visit. When all else fails, the diplomatic service can bail you out of almost any travel debacle.

Tonya Simpson writes for askforinsurance.com where you can learn about what does general liability insurance cover?

By Jeanie Barcus

Energy efficiency can help you save money each month on your electric bills, but you will also contribute to the well-being of the environment. Although there are a number of things that you can do to improve your home’s energy consumption, such as installing solar panel systems, some of these investments might turn out to be a little expensive. Moreover, if you can’t afford to take some of these energy-efficient steps or don’t have the time, you don’t need to worry –because you can also do simple things that can make your home more energy efficient.

Fluorescent light bulb

1. Switching from Incandescent to Fluorescent Lighting

This method is probably one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make any home energy-efficient. Even though incandescent lighting might be cheaper at the cash register, in the end, fluorescent lighting will turn out to be much less costly. One of the reasons that fluorescent bulbs are better is that they will last eight to twelve times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

2. Planting a Tree

A tree can help you save money on your electricity bill each month. Planting a tree will also contribute to the well-being of the environment. When it comes to your home, planting a tree will give you shade in those hot summer months, which will help to keep your home cool. During winter, the tree will end up bare and will allow the appropriate amount of sunshine to come into your home and keep it warmer.

3. Air Conditioners and the Home

The last thing that can do to keep your home more energy-efficient is to keep your AC running at optimal performance. You can change out the air filter of your AC unit once a month. By doing this, you will keep your AC running smoothly, which will keep your home nice and cool in the summer months. You will also avoid any malfunctions that may occur because of dirty air filters and prevent expensive maintenance or repairs that you may otherwise need done to the unit.

These three simple steps that can get you started on having that energy-efficient home you have always wanted. You can do your part in the world’s mission to have a cleaner environment while cutting down your energy costs on a monthly basis. Once you begin your journey on energy efficiency, you will not be able to stop: you are certain to see great results in both the short term and the long term.

Jeanie is a writer and a stay-at-home mom. In her spare time, she loves to find new blogs to follow and spend time with her family.

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