Eco-friendly travel is a nice idea, but like so much of the eco movement, in general, I think it’s dubious. The way I see it these days–after having spent far too much time on planes and on road trips–is that there is really only one good way to be a green traveler: Get your backpack and sleeping bag and walk out the front door.

I don’t think it’s easy for those of us with chronic wanderlust, but I do think it’s time for some self-scrutiny; we need to try wean ourselves from the planes, the cars, and faraway locales, even if we’re staying in green bungalows with composting toilets. Travel–real travel, the kind that changes your worldview–has nothing to do with notching dozens of exotic destinations into your belt. It has to do with going somewhere–even down the street –with your eyes open.

There continues, in my mind, to be one safe definition for real “green” travel… don’t travel far. I am reminded of this time and again when I meet people who have never been to the museum in their own town, yet they’ll drive 20 hours to “explore” someone else’s.

Hey, BTW, this would be the pot calling the kettle. However, I am working on changing that aspect… local is the green shade of green you can get. I adore travelling more than anyone I know, but I think my desire to wander has more to do with my inability to feel connected to where I live than anything else.

Cheers!

E
Letters from a Small State

I agree with Brianne and Elizabeth in that it’s hard to feel good about traveling to far away destinations these days, due to the harmful environmental effects of air travel. We have to remember, however, the benefits of traveling to destinations that are doing positive things for their local communities and the environment- things that would not be possible without the aid of tourism. For example, places like the Huarani Eco-lodge or Kapawi Eco-lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon, just to name a few. These lodges are majority owned and operated by the indigenous people that reside in the rainforest there. Without the revenue from these lodges, the jungle inhabitants would be forced to allow oil companies to come in and drill.
The answer is not to stop traveling, but to travel responsibly. After spending months in the rainforest teaching English and helping further eco-tourism efforts in the region, I decided to dedicate my time after returning to California to educating others in a career that promotes sustainable tourism. I work for an online travel agency called Whole Travel that focuses on travel to destinations that are practicing environmental and social responsibility. Don’t stop traveling, just make sure that you are traveling in a responsible way!
Thanks!
Sita
http://www.wholetravel.com/

Sita has it spot on. Without tourism, some areas of the world would not survive. We must support them by visiting but doing it responsibly. There is so much to get out of responsible tourism.