Save Eco Destinations

Surely you remember what a mess the world’s coral reefs are in (and shellfish reefs too, although we haven’t discussed that) not just because of fuck-up humans, but also because of global warming. Wait, that’s our fault too (unless you believe that the world was already warming up anyway).

Well, I have some good news: 6 Asia-Pacific countries— Indonesia, Malaysia, East Timor, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands—have committed to protecting a stretch of reef called the Coral Triangle, which holds 76% of all known coral species and provides a hot place for tuna to sex it up and make more of themselves.

The bad news is that the agreement is non-binding, say green groups. Plus, not all details have been ironed out.

“[The agreement is] non-binding and it’s not a treaty but as a commitment to each other it’s quite important,” said James Leape, international director general of the World Wildlife Fund. “The most important thing is the political platform that the declaration provides and some were quite explicit about creating new marine protected areas.”

But let’s focus on the positive.

By “protect,” these countries mean that they will collaborate to end illegal fishing/poaching and pollution. This is in their best interest because they are big tuna fishers, so they want to both protect the tuna’s spawning grounds and prevent the “bad guys” from stealing their bounty.

The agreement opens the door for these 6 countries to devise sustainable fishing laws over the next 3 years, according to Reuters. (I know, I know—but remember, *positive*!)

Really positive: it may ultimately be in these nations’ best interest to curb tuna fishing in these areas. Yay. (Yeah, I knew you’d like that one.)

So then, by being eco-smart everybody wins, right? Well, yeah…but the bastards are greedy (no shit, right?) so they need more incentive. The idea is that in exchange countries like the US, who purchases lots of tuna every year, will compensate them, or the 6 countries will be allowed to go nuts in other parts of the Coral Triangle. Yea. As if these tiny and poor nations would be able to keep dirt-poor fishers—and greedy, generally destructive assholes—from poaching anyway. It’s not like officials aren’t hungry for bribes, cuz they are.

Still, it’s a relatively big deal. Check out what this guy said:

“In 30 years of conservation work, I have never seen anything like this: six leaders signing a commitment to protect their marine resources,” Peter Seligmann, head of Conservation International, said in a statement.

It’s something. So let’s buck up and smile for the camera.

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!