green-travel

“Eco” as a prefix has gained some potent marketing cachet for all sorts of goods and services in recent years, not least for travel. Nearly every jungle accommodation in Costa Rica seems to bill itself as an “eco-lodge,” for instance, and ecotourism is promoted as an important, even essential, means of protecting species and habitats.

I did the math in my head. We have one car that barely gets driven, a TV and DVD player that get unplugged when not in use, plus a diet free of meat — and I have to admit that I was feeling a bit overconfident when I plugged my numbers into the carbon calculator at www.carbonfootprint.com.

Welcome to Gaiam’s eco-travel blog. I am delighted to host this virtual journey toward a fresh and conscientious engagement with the world’s wonders.  We’ll explore ways to travel more lightly upon the land, look at new developments in “greening” travel, and discover intriguing destinations, ecologically minded lodgings and enticing eats. I’ll share a mix of news blurbs and personal stories, and invite you to join in with your own reflections and helpful information for fellow travelers.