This year has been a challenging year to champion the need to take action on Climate Change.  It’s not that people don’t believe that it’s happening – Canada is currently out suntanning during our warmest, driest winter on record.  It’s that many people feel that if this is climate change – then they’re all for it.

Not everyone shares our enthusiasm…  If you headed to Florida, or even Cuba this spring break, you likely saw some uncharacteristically (and unwelcome) cold weather this year.  Herein lies the challenge of climate change – it makes for very unpredictable temperatures and weather patterns – and one heck of a time vacation planning.

So how do you pick a vacation destination?  If you’re green-minded, adding planet- friendly as a criterion can make this difficult job even more challenging.

So what actually constitutes an eco-friendly vacation?

1. Close to home – one of the biggest impacts of a vacation can be the air travel, so consider a “staycation” instead – where you explore options that are little more local.  Everyone has a place close by that they’ve always wanted to check out and just haven’t had time – even a moderate drive is much less harmful to the planet.
2. Consider a “Green Hotel” – the hotel industry has been quite slow to join the environmental movement, but through associations like Green Hotels you can choose accommodations that keep the planet in mind.
3. What about an Eco-Tour?  The EcoTour Directory considers an Eco-Tour to be “a trip that causes minimal impact to the environment and local people. The site is usually culturally and biologically diverse and attracts tourists who have a common interest in nature, wildlife and culture.”  But buyer beware. Many so-called eco-tours specialize in exploiting the very resources they are intended to protect.  Do your research carefully, and get good references.
4. Where to go?  Costa Rica and Belize are top of mind when considering an Eco-Vacation – but in reality, there are great options in all corners of the world.  The International EcoTourism Society has many
suggestions to consider.
5. Consider a “Do-Good” Vacation – these trips are part vacation part volunteer work and have either an environmental or social focus, or often both.  They offer a great chance to get involved and see the
country in a way that a tourist would never be able to.  The “Daily Green” makes a few interesting suggestions.  Whatever you choose to do – just a reminder to do your research.

Unfortunately, for many eco-vacations – like many other so-called eco-products, the green is really just a marketing ploy to sell more vacation without delivering truly green performance.  Don’t be greenwashed!

Tags: Climate Change, Eco Tourism, Green, Vacation

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