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Green Travel:
Vacationing with Consciousness
Nothing is better than the adventures and memories created by hitting the open road or flying away to destinations unknown. That is, until you consider the possible damage that driving, flying, cruising, jet skiing and the like can have on our environment. Breathe a deep, green sigh of relief for now you can travel with consciousness for your health and the well-being of planet Earth. It is simple with eco-friendly travel resources only a click away.

What is Eco-Travel?
Eco-travel involves planning and preparing your vacation destination and routes to and from with a focus on conserving resources and protecting the environment at home and where you intend to vacation. A number of resources can help you plan your eco-friendly vacation. Two helpful books are The Vegetarian Traveler by Jed and Susan Civic, which details nearly 300 bed-and-breakfasts, motels, hotels, spas, resorts and hostels, and Healthy Highways by Nikki and David Goldbeck (www.cerespress.com). Search online using key words such as "Earth-friendly vacations,” “eco vacations,” “eco tourism” or “green lodging” to find destinations, travel agents and more.
Also peruse these eco-travel websites:
• Earth Routes: www.earthroutes.net
• Green Earth Travel (also specializes in vegetarian travel): www.vegtravel.com
• Eco Travel: www.ecotravel.com

Green Hotels
Green hotels are dedicated to saving water, as well as reducing energy use and solid waste production. The commitment levels vary, as do the options from hotel to hotel. For a wide selection of green hotels visit www.greenlodging.com.

Camping, the Original Eco-Vacation
Keeping your vacations close to nature can be the ultimate eco-vacation. Camping, hiking, biking, canoeing and more allow you to get fresh air and exercise while also communing with nature. When approached properly, these activities do not compromise the environment. For suggestions on how to leave a minimal footprint while treading the trails of nature, visit www.lnt.org/programs/lnt7.

With outstanding locations right here in Ohio, you have the added bonus of reducing fuel usage and cost by vacationing close to home. For suggestions on where to go and what to do, visit these websites:
• Ohio State Parks: www.ohioparks.net
• Hocking Hills: www.hockinghills.com
• Ohio canoeing: www.paddling.net
• Ohio biking, hiking and climbing: www.trails.com
If you think camping is primitive, you will be relieved to discover the many eco-friendly “amenities” that can make your journey more comfortable, such as solar cookers, lanterns or hand crank cell phone chargers.

Packing Naturally
(Earth-Friendly Luggage)
If you need to purchase luggage, choosing the right bag can make a big difference for the environment. Cruelty-free luggage is available for those who wish to do no harm to animals or Mother Earth. Look for bags made out of recycled or renewable sources. A number of stylish, durable and even waterproof options exist. For example, visit www.ecos.com to peruse a variety of 100 percent hemp bags.
Another eco-friendly approach is to consider borrowing luggage versus buying new. Unless you are a frequent traveler, sharing luggage with friends and family saves on clutter in your home and natural resources for our world.

Offsetting Carbon
Feeling guilty for using fuel to drive or jet all over the world? Unless you plan to stay in your own backyard, every vacation will have some impact on our environment, even those listed as eco-friendly. Give back to the earth and show you care about the damage of travel through carbon offsetting, the counterbalance of your CO2 usage through the planting of trees. The following businesses will help you calculate your totals and plant the trees:
• TerraPass: www.terrapass.com
• Climate Care: www.climatecare.org
• Carbon Footprint: www.carbonfootprint.com

If you really want to show that you care for the earth and its inhabitants, let these companies calculate your travels for a whole year, even back and forth to work, errands and school. It is not expensive. For example, heavy travelers who put an average of 25,000 miles a year on their vehicles will pay approximately $80 per year to offset their carbon use.

Green Travel Tips
1.Avoid souvenirs made from ivory, tortoise, shells, coral, reptile or animal skins, rare wood or other    endangered animals or plants.
2 Use human-powered transit when possible (walking, biking and skating).
3. Travel on established roads or trails.
4. Be mindful of local water sources when bathing or going to the bathroom outdoors.
5. Travel during the off-season to lessen the impact that sudden surges of people can have on local environments.
6. Take only what literature you need from any tourist site to reduce paper use. Opt for website information     whenever possible.
7. Avoid motor vehicles such as boats, jet skis and parasailing excursions, which are known to pollute waters,     destroy coral reefs and harm aquatic life.
8. Carry a bag for recycling cans, bottles or paper you use while on the road.
9. Avoid take-out restaurants that heavily use chlorine bleached napkins, as well as Styrofoam and plastic for      throw- away containers and utensils.
10. Respect wildlife and their habitats.
11. While camping and in wooded areas do not use matches and lighters during dry seasons to protect against       forest fires that can harm valuable ecosystems.
12. Be respectful of locals, their traditions and culture.

Website resources: www.howtocompost.org, www.rainbarrelguide.com.

Rebecca Reynolds is a mother of three, an environmentalist and the creator and president of Green Clean, Inc., a socially conscious, all-natural, professional cleaning company. She can be reached at (440) 899-9295 or www.green-clean-inc.com.