Travel

Run dishwashers only when full.

10 Earth-Friendly Spring Flings

Luxurious or rustic. Remote island or classic coastal hike. Whatever your style, you can make it green.

Hotels - Staying Green

As though business travel wasn't hard enough, now we have to defend ourselves against accusations that our travels are destroying the planet. Leisure travellers can salve their conscience by staying at eco lodges (having travelled halfway round the world to get to them), but for city centre hotels, it's significantly harder to provide a beach for turtles to lay their eggs.

Green Travel Options

Winter travel season is in full swing and kids and parents look forward to days off from school and work. With more people becoming interested in environmental issues, green travel options are starting to be a popular choice. With a few simple steps, traveling green is easier than you think.

"Choosing green travel options is an easy way to enjoy the winter travel season and respect the environment," says Sue Pinera, environmental programs director for the Hertz Corporation. "Through small steps at home, on the road and during your stay, you can really make a difference."

Grand Hyatt Dubai Opts for Solar Power to Reduce Costs, Climate Impact

DUBAI, U.A.E.—The Grand Hyatt Dubai has converted its main water heating system from diesel oil-fired to solar powered in a bid to reduce climate change and running costs.

The Big Green Dilemma

In Europe, air travel is becoming as controversial as wearing a fur coat or smoking while pregnant. But do we really have to feel guilty about flying?

The Greenest Hotel in the World

Visitors to the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa won't find the Gideon Bible in the nightstand drawer. Instead, on the bureau will be a copy of An Inconvenient Truth, former Vice President Al Gore's book about global warming. They'll also find the Gaia equipped with waterless urinals, solar lighting and recycled paper as it marches toward becoming California's first hotel certified as "green," or benevolent to the environment.

Before You Leave On Vacation…

Here are a few things you can do before you leave on vacation that will reduce your home's drag on the environment while you're gone. Put your newspaper delivery on hold. Switch off your air conditioning or heat. Unplug small and large appliances including TVs and cable converter boxes. They draw power even when they're switched off. An easy way to accommodate this is to plug all such appliances into surge protector strips so that many of them can be disconnected at once.

Natural Habitat Adventures - Discover the power of nature.

An Inconvenient Truth

"In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to."
- Roger Ebert

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By 2015, consumer electronics and small appliances will be responsible for almost 30% of all household electricity use. In 2020, the average home is expected to be 5% larger and will rely on even more electricity-powered electronics. (EIA)

EarthLab > Life > Travel & Leisure