Oxymoronic ecotourism

One would think that the eco-tourism industry cares about the environment and would therefore not be harmful to the animal and plant life its livelihood depends on. But no matter how careful tour companies are when they take tourists to view wildlife and natural phenomena, disturbance will and does happen. Eric Jaffe from Science News magazine wrote a well-researched and varied piece on this ironic subject. Although written over a year ago, it is still very much current and disturbing:

"Visitors travel 3 to 5 hours by boat to reach the beaches of Costa Rica's Tortuguero National Park—home to hawksbill, green, and leatherback turtles. Since the early 1990s, park officials and conservationists have gone to great lengths to protect these rare animals. The money that tourists pay to watch the turtles nest goes to safeguard the species... And while tourists don't directly harm the turtles, they leave trash such as water bottles and snack wrappers in Tortuguero, which lacks an adequate waste-processing center."

Read the full story: Good Gone Wild

Enjoy a special moon phenomenon in Kentucky

The Nashville Tennessean via The Cincinnati Inquirer published a how-to guide to see a unique celestial viewing of moonbows in Kentucky's Cumberland Falls State Park. This moonbow occurs when the light from the moon illuminates the watery mist from the tumbling falls of the Cumberland River. To take full advantage of seeing the moonbows visitors to the park can also go on overnight hiking or kayaking trips.

Read the full story: Moonbows add color

Tooting our own horn, thanks Go Green!

Ecotravel news has been away but were happy to discover just today that we are featured in the Go Green wiki resource guide. Moderator Annemcd wrote an interesting review of our blog containing some insights:

"Standout Features: Schroeder scours the environmental news in both specialty and mainstream publications, provides scathing and/or laudatory commentary, and provides links to the original articles so you can decide for yourself. In a ballsy if self-destructive move for a freelancer, she doesn't pull punches when a story in a prominent publication lauds a leisure travel activity that many environmentalists believe is destructive. She's an equal opportunity decrier."

Annemcd also pointed out some horrifying spelling mistakes in our disclaimer, which have since been fixed. Thanks Annemcd!

Read our full review on Go Green

Endangered bird making comeback

The New York Times reports on a somewhat successful comeback of the endangered Piping Plover. The closures of certain Massachussetts beach areas where the birds nest has led to some sightings of the disappearing bird. The beach closures also led to bans on other nest-disturbing activities such as fireworks and ATV bans:

“The closures are still fairly controversial,” said Mr. Prokop, whose team did an assessment last winter to find alternative trails should some be closed for the plovers. “We try to be reasonable in our closures to provide access, but the protection of a threatened bird species that’s protected under the Endangered Species Act is paramount.”

Read the full story: In aid of a bird, some inconveniences for people

Alaskan island of Kivalina victim of global warming

The Los Angeles Times published a story about the impact of global warming on the Alaskan island of Kivalina. Ocean ice that once protected the fragile shorelines now is open water that is causing major soil erosion. So much so that engineers predict that in 10 to 15 years the entire island will wash away.

Read the full story: An Alaskan island is losing ground

T & L magazine's responsible travel section

Travel and Leisure magazine is taking eco-friendly travel to heart by publishing a responsible travel section on its website. Among the many ecotourism articles and ways to leave less of a carbon footprint was Joe Wise's article on Greenland.

Melting glaciers and icecaps are some of the best places to really see the impact of global warming. And since this topic is gaining popularity, places such as Greenland, with rising temperatures and melting ice are attracting many more tourists recently. Perhaps people want to see upclose big chunks of ice breaking off into the water so they can then brag to their friends back home that they saw some of the last of the polar ice.

Mr. Wise found out that along with the cons of warmer temps also came some pros:

"Greenland has become indisputably warmer over the last decade or so. This has made it difficult to reach traditional ice-fishing sites by dogsled. On the other hand, it’s now possible to take boats out fishing year-round, and the reindeer herds, with more to feed on, are growing."

Read the full story: The melting point

Farm work as vacation

The New York Times reports on a growing niche vacation market of so-called agritourism. City folks who want to know where their food comes from can pay over $100 a night to be farm hands. Certain participating farms will deduct a small amount for each hour of "farming" performed.

Read the full story: Down on the farm with your sleeves rolled up

Spot endangered dolphins in Hong Kong

Among the high-rise buildings and disappearing nature in Hong Kong is the endangered dolphin watch tour. The Washington Post reports on this rare ecotravel sight:

"The dolphins are going head to head with Hong Kong development, and bets are with the builders."

Read the full article: Hong Kong's dolphins will tickle you pink

Eco-transportation in new electric cars

Plenty magazine reports on some choices for green transportation in the form of new electric cars. Car manufacturers are realizing that with gas prices so high, consumers might actually want to drive something that isn't so dependent on oil, so are by demand developing these green vehicles. Although the choices seem limited now, hopefully commuters will see that being environmentally-friendly and carbon-free is a win-win solution and in turn will drive up the manufacture of these more earth-friendly cars.

Read the full story: The second coming of the electric car

Ecotravel guidebooks

The Washington Post had a recent article on "green guidebooks." Popular travel guide series such as Lonely Planet and Rough Guides among others have published books on how to travel the environmentally friendly way:

"'In general, the U.S. market is just becoming aware of eco-travel, carbon footprint and the impact of travel on the planet,' said Fodor's Travel publisher Tim Jarrell. He said that as Americans 'increasingly become concerned about global warming, they will begin to examine different parts of their life.'"

Read the full story: Guidebooks show travelers how to go green

Caribbean resort promises zero emission vacation

Environmental News Network reports on the environmental friendliness of Caribbean island Grenada's Paradise Bay resort. Visitors will have their carbon emissions from both flight and hotel stay offset. All organic food is grown locally. And volunteering will get guests involved with local agriculture. The resort also uses energy produced by its own windmill which actually produces much more energy than is used.

Read the full story: Grenada resort fine tunes sustainable approach

Celebrities in eco-resorts

Plenty Magazine had a recent story about celebrities' green travel choices. Well-known personalities have been spotted in eco-resorts. And if they're not going to eco-resorts they're running them. Several stars have even purchased islands that already run or will run earth-friendly resorts.

Read the full story: Green Splashes

Tourism in India should turn green

Environmental News Network reports that most of India's environmental degradation in certain areas comes from tourism, so recommendations for ecotourism would be very beneficial to both environment and economy. Locals in highly touristed areas such as the Himalayan region don't benefit from international tourism even though tourist money has increased substantially over the years. Recommendations for community-based and owned projects would keep locals in the area who can look after and upkeep the natural environment.

"Conservation-based businesses such as ecotourism and allied services like organic farming and food processing [have] a good potential of generating quality jobs and income in…[the] Himalayas," says Manoj Bhatt, president and executive director of Research, Advocacy and Communication in Himalayan Areas.

Read the full article: Ecotourism may benefit India's environment, economy

Enjoy Natural Wildlife Refuge Week

Next week (10.7-13) is the start of Natural Wildlife Refuge Week. The Washington Post compiled a list of seven different places where one can commune with nature and enjoy the week.

Read the full story: Take a trip to where the wild things are

Miami Herald's mislabeled story

The Miami Herald posted an article with the word ecotourism in its headline but this doesn't seem to be the correct term in describing the subject. Basically the piece was about the writer's family's adventure in Queensland Australia while they drove around in their rented car and marvelled at all the Australian animals. There was nothing about conservation nor preservation nor anything about how animal agriculture has ruined the world's smallest continent and steps taken to counter this. No, only a diary about "white people encountering a new land" and how old can that be? How does this writer Tim Johnson have the audacity of claiming his article has anything to do with ecotourism?

Read the full story: Ecotourism adventures abound in northern Australia's Queensland

LA Times tells where to view fall folliage

The Los Angeles Times showcases their five best picks for viewing autumnal colors.

Read the full article: The hunt for Red October

CSM answers question about cruise's eco-consciousness

The Christian Science Monitor answers their article title's question about how to find and take a green cruise. Happily it seems that most of the large cruise lines respect and care for the ocean and marine life, claims a conservation advocate, which is something that large oceanside hotels aren't so great about doing. But later on in the article it is recommended to "avoid major cruise lines" and take smaller and shorter boat excursions. However each individual passenger needs to be aware of his/her own impact when at ports of call. And naturally travel to less heavily-touristed areas help local economies and lessen the already heavy impact of too many travelers.

Read the full story: Is it possible to take an ecofriendly cruise?

West Africa's new eco-lodges

The New York Times Travel magazine published an interesting account of writer Elinor Burkett's experience with the new luxury eco-lodges in the not-so-eco West African countries of Gabon and Gambia. She scoffs at the "audacity" of a $400 per-night lodge in the middle of such poverty stricken countrysides. But once she enters the compounds where the lodges lie, such skepticism vanishes. For the governments to realize that creating protected areas to lure foreign tourists and their money, is a plus for both the tourist looking for a new exotic destination as well as the county's wildlife and natural areas. And hopefully with time the countries can use their new eco-tourist money to help create larger conservation areas and alleviate some of their poverty as well.

Read the full story: Hope floats in Africa

Sharing bicycles in Paris

The Washington Post has published an article about the French capital's new shared public transportation bicycles. The Velibs, which is a clever combination of the French name for bicycle, velo and freedom, liberte, can be cheaply rented around the city by just using your credit card:

"Here's how it works: Velibs can be picked up and dropped off at any of a thousand stations around the capital, where users insert credit cards into a machine to sign up for a day (one euro, or about $1.40), a week (five euros) or a year (29 euros). A fee of $205 is taken from your account if the bike is not returned. Caveat: At this point, only smart-chip Visa cards and America Express cards are accepted.

The system is designed to encourage short journeys: After paying your subscription fee and picking up a bike, the first half-hour is free. The second half-hour costs one euro, the third costs two euros and a fourth would cost an added four euros, to encourage people to stick to the half-hour system."

So using a bike to get around is a green way to see Paris.

Read the full story: Free wheeling: Paris's new bike system

National Public Lands Day

Next Saturday (9.29.07) is National Public Lands Day, the day to volunteer at public lands such as national parks around the nation to improve trails among other things and to generally make the spaces more enjoyable for other outdoor enthusiasts.

visit their website to see what you can do in your state: publiclandsday.org

Maine corn mazes

Maine's Portland Press Herald had a great article about the popularity of interactive agriculture, that being corn mazes. The mazes are giant works of art that take careful planning and planting but once finished visitors can have fun in the corn. The Herald also points out that the mazes are important as supplemental income for small farms, so visiting also supports local farmers which is always better for the environment than huge faceless agribusinesses.

Read the full story: Get lost

Badger state promoting ecotourism

USA Today reported that Wisconsin is actively promoting itself as an eco-tourist destination as a way to distinguish itself as a better travel destination than neighboring states. Whatever the motivation, it's good to see that this state is greening up its sights and luring visitors that have a low-impact vacation in mind. Wisconsin happens to be only one of the few U.S. states that are now taking an active role in eco-travel.

Read the full story: Wisconsin's sights are set on earth-friendly tourism

Seeing stars at Joshua Tree

Another way to enjoy nature is to visit national parks and gaze upward at the beauty of the starry night sky that is rarely as visible when viewed from a city. The Los Angeles Times had a eye-opening feature about the growing popularity of astronomical interest as viewed from Joshua Tree National Park.

Read the full story: Star-gazing parties light up Joshua Tree's low desert

How to enjoy chilly fall kayaking

The Idaho Statesman's Outdoor section had a good article about how to enjoy outdoor sports such as kayaking in the colder months of autumn. Medical doctor Paul Collins gave sage advice about what sort of layers to wear and what sort of emergency equipment to bring.

Read the full story: Fall kayaking

Bear attack reminds about nature's unpredictability

The LA Times had a gripping two part series about a father and daughter hiking team who were attacked by a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park. Experiencing nature is a wonderful thing but encountering wild animals can be hazardous. It's one of the ironies of ecotravel. Most who go explore nature appreciate and want to preserve it, but no matter how ecological one is, if wild animals deem you a threat, they will do what they can to protect themselves. This becomes more of a problem as people begin to encroach on wilderness areas and wild animals become used to people and find foraging in garbage is an easy way to get food.

Read the full story: A hike into horror

Heli-hiking, ruining the environment you're supposedly enjoying

Leave it to elitist snob newspaper The New York Times to publish one of the most anti-environmental and hypocritical travel stories about heli-hiking. This new sport is inspired by heli-skiing, where skiers who aren't content with regular ski runs, get helicoptered to the untouched powder of the back country in order to "tear it up."

Heli-hiking is for people who want to pay exorbitant fees (excerpt from article: "You also don’t have to be rich: not counting the airfare, I paid $2,400 for my trip," says writer Joe Nocera. Not sure how much the NYTimes pays him, but last time I checked, $2,400 for a joyride up a mountain wasn't just change lying around in my pocket...) to be helicoptered to the top of a mountain because they are too out of shape to actually hike up it from the bottom. These are probably the same type of rich out-of-shape idiots who go up Mount Everest and expect that their wealth will protect them from death.

In any case, enjoying nature is one thing, but to actually go out of your way to take a carbon spewing helicopter to the top of a mountain to claim you are hiking is absolutely ridiculous. Thanks Joe for having another one of those environmentally irresponsible articles all in the name of fun. And to think that you actually felt sore muscles by going hiking which is a physically exerting sport, that's absolutely amazing.

Read the full article: Five-star wilderness

Surfboarding's environmental nightmare

The materials that surfboards are made from are so damaging to the environment that a surfboard core business recently shutdown. Plenty Magazine investigated the unenvironmentalness of the business of surfboard manufacture as well as the actions that British surfers are taking to clean up local beaches. Surfing seems like a back-to-nature type sport and probably most surfers do so because of the closeness to nature. But the detriments of the boards have come to light so the next time a surf holiday comes to mind, thinking twice about the negative environmental impact is a must.

Read the full article: The next big wave

Mt. Whitney trekkers leave nothing behind

The New York Times had an interesting story about how the removal of all outhouses on the hiking trails on Mt. Whitney now means that all hikers must pack-out their - ahem - waste.

"The 19,000 or so hikers who pick up Forest Service permits each year to hike the Whitney Trail are given double-sealed sanitation kits and told how to use them - just as they are told how to keep their food from the bears along the way, and how to find shelter when lightning storms rake the ridges."

Read the full story: No more privies, so hikers add a carry-along

Vatican to be carbon neutral

Although the Vatican started a new airline recently, it is interesting to see a report in the International Herald Tribune about the Catholic nation's carbon offsetting program. A "denuded" forest in Hungary was donated to the Vatican by the Klimafa company, who will plant enough trees that they claim will absorb all the carbon emitted from the nation-state's "various activities."

"In so doing, the Vatican announced, it would become the world's first carbon-neutral state. 'As the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, recently stated, the international community needs to respect and encourage a "green culture," ' said Cardinal Paul Poupard, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Planting forests is only "a partial solution, and a temporary one. [It] will only compensate for a small fraction of emissions, even if you cover all of Hungary in young trees," said Laszlo Galhidy, forestry officer for the environmental group WWF Hungary, although he praised the [Vatican] project as a useful step."

Read the full report: Vatican agress to a carbon offset scheme

Miami Herald's Earth & Man section

The Miami Herald's travel section dedicated to appreciating natural beauty is aptly named Earth & Man / Travel to Sensitive Destinations. Although not all articles published on this section have to do with getting to destinations the most ecofriendly way possible, they do highlight natural areas that can inspire travelers to become more environmentally friendly.

Their latest story about cruising Greenland's icecap shows firsthand reactions to the obvious melting:

"Nearly every [Greenlander] local has a story of warming temps: a noticeably shrinking icecap, shifting fish populations, a dog-sledding season cut short by three months. This much seems certain: As ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica warm and glaciers worldwide thin, the sea will rise significantly. Coasts will shift. Though it won't happen quickly -- not in this lifetime, or perhaps the next -- that scenario seems all the more reason to trade in the gas guzzler, change to energy saver light bulbs."

Read the full story: Greenland: Cruise explores harsh universe - in comfort