It's summer! Hooray! Time to put some of that hard-earned money to good use.
Maybe you’re looking for an exotic getaway, or just want to rent a car and venture across the good ol’ USA. Go ahead - You deserve a break from the daily grind.
But, while you’re at it, do something good for your Mother Earth as well. Here are a few ideas to make your summer trips not only fun but a little more earth-friendly as well.
Travelocity.com offers a really neat take on travel I discovered while booking my own trip. Partnering with The Conservation Fund, an organization “dedicated to advancing America's land and water legacy” you can donate a few bucks to “The Conservation Fund's Go Zero® program to plant native trees that help zero out the carbon dioxide emissions created by your trip” at the same time you book your trip.
To date, they have planted “23,000 trees across three national wildlife refuges that will trap an estimated 28,000 metric tons of CO2 over the life of the forests. Every penny of your donation will go directly to The Conservation Fund.”
Once you get to your destination you will want to look for accommodations that reflect your green lifestyle as well. According to Green Business Certification people are clamoring for housing that not only costs less but integrates the principles of greener living as well.
Hence the creation of Green Motels who put recycling and energy conservation into practice through better waste management, as well as more energy efficient appliances and equipment use.
To find a Green Motel, check individual advertisements, or local directories and online listing of green businesses. Hotel and motel managers can get tips as well as materials to provide customers with a greener stay by visiting the Green Hotels Association. A listing of the hotels and motels currently using Green Hotels Association products can be found on their website.
Finally, keep to your Green-vacation-mindset by giving back while you enjoy your time away from home.
Websites like Global volunteers offer short-term service opportunities for everyone, from single wanderers to full-fledged families in countries all over the world. Length of stay varies from 1-3 weeks depending upon the country, but the organization also offers program extensions up to 24 weeks.
These are just a few summer travel ideas that allow you to get away from it all without leaving your values behind. And don’t forget, every time you put your money where your mouth is, the travel industry is watching.
The more we insist upon greener ways to travel during our leisure times, the more the industry will change to meet our expectations.
