Florida judge claims EPA violated laws over Everglades cleanup

The Miami Herald reports on a federal judge's ruling over the controversial Everglades cleanup.

U.S. District Judge Alan Gold says that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated the Clean Water Act when it "ignored the law and its own recommendations when [they] approved the state's revised schedule for cleaning up farm-tainted water flowing into the Everglades from Lake Okeechobee -- avoiding a December 2006 deadline to reduce pollutants in the Glades."

Judge Gold went on to say the state Legislature led by then Governor Jeb Bush "'violated its fundamental commitment and promise to protect the Everglades' by relaxing rules limiting the amount of damaging phosphorus in the Everglades ecosystem."

The lawsuit was brought on by the Miccosukee Tribe and the environmental group Friends of the Everglades. In an earlier post this month, Ecotravel News reported on the demise of an Everglades bird that the Miccosukee Tribe blamed on failed federal wildlife protection programs.

Read the full story: Judge: Glades cleanup ignored

New organization pinpoints ethical travel vacation spots

USA Today reports on the group Ethical Traveler, that has just put out their top 10 list of ethical destinations:

"To create the list, Ethical Traveler looked at environmental protection, social welfare and human rights in the world's developing nations. The honorees on the Ethical Traveler's list, in alphabetical order, are Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Namibia, Nicaragua, and South Africa."

Read the full story: Costa Rica, South Africa make list of top 10 'ethical destinations'

Toronto to pay for green lifestyles

Environmental News Network reports that Canadian city Toronto has a new carbon emissions reducing program that will pay residents to be green.

The Live Green Toronto program is a citizen-driven project that will give grants based on people's own green initiatives:

"Activators [environmentalists working for non-governmental agencies] meet people with project ideas and collaborate with them through the first stages. If a project idea survives the idea development stage, citizens will have been granted $1,000 to $25,000 [Canadian]. They then can apply for full grants of between $25,000 to $250,000 for their projects to become reality."

Toronto's goal is to reduce their emissions by 6 percent by 2012, 30 percent by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050.

Read the full story: Toronto pays citizens hefty grants for projects reducing carbon footprint

Dominica, meant to be explored on foot

The Los Angeles Times reports on the natural wonders of the Caribbean island of Dominica; the best way to enjoy it is by foot:

"It's crawling with natural hiking trails adorned by 1,200 species of plants and flowers. There are spectacular waterfalls and hot springs, including the huge Boiling Lake in the center, and the island is surrounded by waters clear enough for snorkeling, deep enough for diving and just choppy enough to make kayaking interesting."

Read the full story: Dominica: an ecological escape

This week's most un-eco trip goes to Barack Obama

Presidential hopeful Barack Obama went on a trip to the Middle East and Europe this past week.

He traveled thousands of miles on his plane and used up many road miles in private vehicles with security and local police escorts. The amount of carbon emissions spewed out are too many to count.

Senator Obama claims he is for the environment and even has a section on his own website touting all the energy and environmental things he wants to achieve including: reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Mr. Obama needs to take some of his own advice because as we all know airplane travel releases large amounts of greenhouse gases.

The trip was for the purpose of media coverage to show voters that he could be adept at international affairs, an area that he is admittedly lacking in. But the trip was so whirlwind, Obama also admitted that it could be of little political benefit since most Americans are focused more on domestic issues than international ones.

So if the trip was for nothing, then at least Mr. Obama can know that he helped add to the demise of the environment for no good reason except for his own vanity.

At least The New York Times today criticized the trip and questioned if the Senator's motivations of looking presidential were presumptuous and arrogant. We at Ecotravel News answer that with a strong "Yes."

For more on Obama's eco-hypocriticism check out this archived post where he's accepting non-biodegradable plastic bags.

Afghanistan ecotourism

The San Francisco Chronicle reports on the ecotourism efforts in Afghanistan.

The Aga Khan Foundation, an Afghan NGO, says that the Bamiyan area (known for the giant Buddhas that the Taliban infamously blew up in 2001) in the center of the country is safe. The Foundation created the Bamiyan Ecotourism Project (BEP) to "raise awareness of the region's natural attractions."

Afghanistan isn't on most tourist itineraries because most of the country is in the midst of instability and civil war making it unsafe for travelers. The U.S. State Department advises against travel to the country.

But despite this the BEP says tourists looking for nature can enjoy "Afghanistan's first national park, a 220-square-mile zone around Band-i-Amir [that has] six sapphire-blue lakes set amid barren sandstone badlands."

Read the full story: Tough sell: touring audacious Afghanistan

Green towns to be built in UK, locals unhappy

The Economist reports on the controversy surrounding the British government's seemingly earthy-friendly decision to build 13 eco-towns (see above map).



The government claims the eco-towns will bring new residents to small communities in order to stem a housing shortage. Local residents feel they are being "frozen out of the planning process, which is being led by the central government."



Critics of the plan point out that all houses built after 2016 will be required to be carbon-neutral, regardless of having an "eco" label or not.



Read the full story: Eco-towns: green, with hint of Brown

Controversy over CA mountain renaming

McClatchy Newspapers reports on the efforts by California Democratic leaders to name a Sierra Nevada mountain peak after the late environmentalist David Brower.

David Brower, an environmentalist for most of his life, founded and was the director of the Sierra Club from 1952-1969.

Democratic Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer said in a statement that "naming the North Palisade Peak after David Brower is a fitting tribute to a man who loved the High Sierra and all of America's wilderness."

Republican Rep. Devin Nunes - whose district is where the proposed peak lies - is opposed to the renaming because he says: "the radical environmentalists' agenda is hurting my constituents."

Read the full story: Senators want to name peak after late Sierra Club leader

Enjoy nature by camping and using a green bathroom

The Associated Press reports on the nation's first eco-friendly bathroom in a state park.

Campers at Grand Haven State Park in Michigan can now use the environmentally-friendly toilet and shower facilities that debuted in May.

Its green design features include low-flow toilets, timer-controlled showers, a sanitary sewer line and is partially powered by solar panels. It will use 40 percent less water than the old bathroom.

Michigan hopes to replace all of its state park restrooms with the green model.

Read the full story: Campground restrooms becoming ecologically correct

Amtrak boasts Northeast ridership up 28%

Ecotravel News already reported earlier this month on the rise in Amtrak train ridership in California.

Now USA Today reports on the almost 30 percent increase in riders on Amtrak's Downeaster line that goes from Portland, Maine to Boston.

The line now is usually filled to capacity and the service has had to add a fifth additional train run and train cars to meet demand.

Amtrak is now trying to negotiate a sixth train trip with the rail owners Pan Am Railways and ways to expand the service up to Brunswick, Maine.

Read the full story: Amtrak's Downeaster posts 28 percent ridership gain

Out of Idaho with outdoor blast

Idaho Statesman editor David Parker, who is moving away from Idaho, decided to spend his last days in the Gem State on an outdoor adventure that included hiking, biking and rafting in the Sawtooths easily reached from the town of Stanley.

The mountain bike portion of Parker's trip was the scenic 18-mile Fisher-Williams loop in the White Cloud Mountains that took him through "aspen trees and sagebrush, across creeks, up steep climbs and - of course - down some ripping singletrack." This bike trail is 14 miles south of Stanley.

Parker's overnight backpacking hiking trip took him to Sawtooth lake. He took the Iron Creek Trailhead which is just north of Stanley.

Rafting down the Salmon River is an experience that outdoors enthusiasts can't leave Idaho without doing and the last outdoor adventure that Parker did:

"A soak in the icy waters of the Salmon is a good way to cap off a weekend in the Sawtooths, whether you're floating the river or just hopping in."

Read the full story: How would you spend your last days in Idaho?

Kansas City, MO to build green sewer

The Kansas City Star of KC, Missouri reports that the city will be turning their new sewer system into a model of environmental-friendliness, that they hope other cities will copy.

The Kansas City Council adopted the resolution last week that will include green measures to prevent sewer flooding during heavy rainfall like rain barrels, tree boxes and storm-water planters.

Kansas City planners worked with the EPA to come up with the green sewer plans.

Read the full story: Kansas City plans green scheme for sewer system

Virgin honcho to build uber-green Caribbean resort

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Richard Branson, the Virgin conglomerate pioneer, is going to build the utmost in green resorts on his private Caribbean island.

Sir Richard is a genuine champ for the environment and actively incorporates environmental measures in his businesses like promoting airplanes to be tugged out to the runways to save fuel and to being the first to use biofuel in his Virgin Atlantic airline earlier this year.

His uber-green resort will be powered using only solar and wind energy, and Branson has already partnered with many alternative-energy consultants.

"'It is actually inexcusable for the Caribbean to need to use dirty fuels anymore when it has all these natural resources on its doorstep,' said Branson, during a tour of Necker Island in June.

He told reporters that the eco-resort's buildings would capture cool thermal airflows, eliminating the need for air conditioners. The guests' food would come from an organic orchard, and beach buggies would be powered by biofuels."

Read the full story: Branson plans world's most eco-friendly resort

MSNBC touts walking vacations

The Independent Traveler.com via MSNBC.com says taking a walking or hiking trip is a great way to get exercise while making memorable experiences.

Although the article was simplified and seemed to target people who would never imagine going hiking on a vacation, we were happy to see a mainstream site explaining the basics of undertaking such trips.

Read the full story: Walking tours and trips

CA airport unveils solar power system

The Fresno Bee reports on the installation of the nation's largest solar power system to power an airport.

Fresno Yosemite International now houses solar grids that will power 40 percent of the airport's energy needs.

The city will also buy energy generated by the solar grid at set rates for the next 20 years.

Read the full story: Fresno airport puts sun to work

Staycations, ultimate in ecotravel

Although we at Ecotravel News do enjoy traveling and since most vacations are too short to get to the ultimate way (which is slow traveling like in this previous post) we unfortunately need to use airplanes...

But because of the weak dollar and high gas prices, many aren't even able to afford going on a vacation anywhere, even by car - so a new word and way to have a vacation without going anywhere is a staycation. And by not traveling anywhere, these staycationers carbon footprints are much smaller and can be classified as ecotravelers.

But just because some can't afford to travel anywhere doesn't mean their staycations have to be dull. The Wall Street Journal Weekend found some innovative folks who are making the most of their staycations.

One New Yorker is "visiting" Japan on her staycation, without ever leaving the NYC area. Watch her video report below:



Some others have created campsites in their living rooms and another has created a new business by making over people's homes into hotel rooms (at a price of $50-$60 for two nights).

Read the full story: Postcards from the hedge: faking a vacation at home

FL taxis going green

USA Today reports that Key West's tropically-colored pink taxis are turning green.

The Florida island's famous pink taxis (seen at right) will not be getting a green paint job - but will be converted into hybrids.

The taxi company Five Sixes Taxi, has bought 10 hybrids that they estimate will get 38 mpg as opposed to 12 mpg the old vehicles got. They are in the process of replacing all their old taxis with the hybrids.

Read the full story: Key West's famous taxis get a green makeover

Beijing stops migrant recyclers during Olympics

Reuters reports that Beijing has stopped migrant recyclers from doing business during the Olympics.

Beijing leaders claim that the migrant workers, who trade recycling for a living, carry infectious diseases and don't want them to infect visitors to the games.

Watch the report:

Pope urges lifestyle changes to help environment... from his plane

Australia's The Sydney Morning Herald reports on Pope Benedict XVI's visit and urgent message to Australians (that he delivered from his plane before he landed) to save the environment by changing ones lifestyle.

This is just another ironic event (because as we all know that airplanes emit high amounts of carbon that is causing the climate to change) in the Pontiff's tenure.

Ecotravel News has previously pointed out that the Vatican has started their own airline and also have more honorably gone carbon-neutral.

The catholic leader has good intentions but he needs to start following his own advice too, even though the SMH does point out that Australia is becoming less energy-efficient.

Read the full story: Help to save the world, Pope tells Australia
and the sister story of: Nation of climate sinners

Americans favor urban density over nature

The Economist reports that less people are getting out to enjoy national parks such as Yosemite, and conservationists are partly to blame.

California's population has grown to 38 million from 31.5 million in 1994. More people are living near national parks but less of those inhabitants are actually visiting nature.

Visitors to national parks peaked in 1987 and the numbers have fallen since. Instead people are going to cleaned-up cities and theme-park like casinos, that have seen a rise in visitors.

Conservationists, according to the magazine, are trying to preserve the environment and thereby limiting the number of visitors let in to national parks:

"Earlier this year a federal court ruled that the National Park Service must limit human use of Yosemite Valley. That may mean a daily cap on visitor numbers. If the park imposes one, the example is likely to spread across America. This will create pressure to solve environmental problems by turning more people away."

Read the full story: Out of the wilderness

Kentucky looking into legalizing electric vehicles

Kentucky's Lexington Herald-Leader has a timely report on whether or not the state should allow electric vehicles (EVs) on state roads.

In an unusual twist on party politics, Republican state senators are the ones urging the Governor Steve Beshear - a Democrat - to sign the executive order.

The order would allow a ZAP electric-vehicle factory to be built and has the potential of employing "up to 1,000 people."

ZAP, as exposed in an excellent report by Wired Magazine (that Ecotravel News wrote about in March) was shown to be greedy charlatans who never delivered their promised cars and bled money from people opening dealerships.

Although EVs are an excellent thing to be approving and signing into law, especially by Republicans, Kentucky should really look into all the facts behind ZAP before making any decisions.

Read the full story: Analyst urges caution on electric car proposal

Read previous post about ZAP cars: Greediness hidden behind electric vehicles

Environmentalists killed in DRC gorilla park

The BBC reports on an attack to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) vehicle carrying 11 environmental workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) Virunga National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas.

Of the 11, two were killed and three injured when their vehicle was ambushed by Moi Moi rebels according to officials interviewed by Radio Okapi - a United Nations-supported station.

Virunga NP is "in a volatile region in eastern DR Congo where rebels have set up a base. Armed groups frequently carry out attacks in the park, home to at least 380 endangered mountain gorillas."

The endangered gorillas make their home in the parks and mountains that border Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. More than half the population of the gorillas live in the DRC.

The rebel groups have taken over Virunga NP since September and have threatened to kill conservationists who enter the area. Last July five gorillas were shot "at point-blank range."

According to a park ranger, tourists have been led over the borders illegally by rebel "guides" to view the DRC gorillas. He urges tourists not to take this path because 1) the illegal guides do not follow proper procedure to stay a certain distance from the animals to not transmit disease and 2) it gives money to the same rebels that kill and eat the gorillas.

Read the full story: Attack in DR Congo gorilla park
Read about two gorilla conservationists: Diary: protecting mountain gorillas

Amtrak ridership up dramatically, thanks to high gas prices

The Sacramento Bee reports on the significantly higher levels of people traveling by train between California cities this year.

Amtrak says their nationwide ridership is up 11 percent since last year as more people are traveling by their service now that gas prices have gone up.

"'It's been quite surreal in some cases,' said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham, citing instances of as many as 200 standees on Pacific Surfliner trains traveling between San Diego and Los Angeles. "

Graham also says that the largest increases in ridership are for distances under 500 miles.

Popular routes in California between the Bay Area and Sacramento have seen a 19 percent increase.

Article author Janet Fullwood writes that her Bakersfield to Stockton train was completely full to Fresno.

Read the full story: Train travel hopping with new riders

Studying Yosemite's roadkill

NPR has an interesting report about a man named Moose Mutlow, who is a roadkill researcher and educator in Yosemite National Park.

Mutlow studies miles of highway alongside the park and records data about the animals hit - some endangered like bears or owls - by passing vehicles.

Listen to the full report: Environmental educator eyes Yosemite roadkill

Everglades-named bird wiped out

The Miami Herald reports on the disappearing Everglades Snail Kite.

Writer Curtis Morgan sets the somber tone for the story in the first sentence: "It's never a good sign when an animal disappears from the place that gave it its name."

The kite's numbers have dropped dramatically and the recent droughts and water management projects haven't helped.

Local Indian tribes say federal wildlife protection schemes have failed in the Everglades and are to blame for the kite's demise. The Miccosukee Tribe points to the protection of another bird - the Cape Sable seaside sparrow - that indirectly helped kill-off the kite. Planned flooding to help protect the sparrow in certain areas in the Everglades drowned one of the kite's main food sources, the apple snail.

Read the full story: A rare bird all but vanishes from Everglades

Yellowstone visitors top June

USA Today reports a record number of visitors to Yellowstone National Park in June.

Over 600,000 people entered and enjoyed the famous national park last month, topping last June's numbers by 2,500.

Read the full story: Yellowstone reports record June visitation

Be green on July 4th

Ecotravel News hopes that everyone is already at their Independence Day locales and has gotten there agap (as green as possible).

There are even more ways to green-up your holiday celebrations and Plenty Magazine has a few tips:

1) Mow your lawn with an environmentally-friendly (and get your exercise too) push mower.

2) Use DEET-free bug repellents like citronella candles.

3) Eat grass-fed beef and locally-grown organic products.

4) And instead of watching environmentally-detrimental fireworks displays, sing or bang pots to celebrate.

Read the full story: Green tips for your 4th of July celebration

Mexico tree-planting drive to combat deforestation

The El Paso Times reports on this Saturday's (July 5) tree-planting drive in Juarez, Mexico.

City officials and residents will plant 2,500 trees across the city "as part of national reforestation effort across Mexico."

Vast areas of Mexico's indigenous rainforests have been cut down due to rapid industrialization and population growth and today only 10% still survives.

Tree-planting drives across the country such as in Juarez hope to plant five million new trees.

Link to the tree-planting drive website: www.plantaunarbol.gob.mx/

Organic farms offer back to basics vacation

The Christian Science Monitor reports on the quietly growing trend of volunteering on small organic farms in return for room and board.

The World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms or WWOOF is a global organic farm network, where you can become a member for a small sign-up fee and have access to volunteer opportunities wherever you and the farm you choose sees fit.

CSM contributor Emily Badger shares her experience as a novice WWOOFer in the french countryside:

"I’ve never been particularly organic, and I had a vague sense that my best qualification for this job was that I like to do yoga, which is something organic people seem to like, too. The movement, though, doesn’t draw the bulk of its WWOOFers from farmers hoping to bring new organic techniques back to their own backyard polytunnels. Rather, the idea appeals to the adventurer, the wandering soul, the liberal who wants to do more than pay for carbon offsets. I felt a little of all that."

Read the full story: WWOOFing in Normandy

Chinese plastic bag ban: a success

Environmental News Network reports that China's almost complete ban on plastic bags - consumers can still purchase thicker plastic bags - is a success.

Consumers have easily adapted by bringing their own bags and some have even gone back to using traditional baskets.

The ban makes it illegal for shops to hand out free plastic bags to shoppers.

"China's central government dealt this heavy blow to plastic bags out of concern for the environment and a desire for greater energy savings. People in China use up to 3 billion plastic bags daily and dispose of more than 3 million tons of them annually. Most of the carriers end up in unofficial dumping sites, landfills, or the environment. Urban dumping centers and open fields alongside railways and expressways are littered with the discarded bags, mostly whitish ultra-thin varieties. Such scenes have generated a special term in China: "the white pollution."

Read the full story: China watch: plastic bag ban trumps market and consumer efforts