The Green Life

Bike Fashion Hits the Runway

If you've read our post on becoming a bike commuter or our tips for female cyclists, you're got plenty of practical knowledge about how to incorporate cycling into your daily life. But bikes can be more than just an ecofriendly form of transportation--the two-wheeled wonders are rapidly becoming a must-have fashion accessory and clothing designers have taken notice. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, cyclists need clothing that "moves with them when they ride, protects them from the elements, and doesn't get caught in any of their machine's moving parts."

Beyond those basic requirements, bike messengers and road bikers have always sported signature styles, but now the fashion industry is embracing bike culture too. In U.S. cites like New York, Portland, San Francisco, and even Salt Lake City, models are pedaling or pushing bikes onto the runway to compliment their hip, bike-centric clothing.

Corporate Demand Grows for Green Hotels

Rarely are the terms “eco-friendly” and “business travel” mentioned in the same sentence. But now companies are urging their employees to seek green alternatives, especially when it comes to booking hotels. The motivation for such a shift has its perks; companies can say they are environmentally conscious, while hotels are rewarded for going green and earning LEED certification.

According to USA Today, the increased interest in green hotels has some companies checking lodging properties' green practices -- such as how much water and energy are conserved and how often towels are replaced -- before signing contracts. Helping this transition is the Green Hotels Association, a group of hotels that promote environmentally responsible ways of operating.

Of course, being picky about where you stay isn't the only way to green your business travel. You can also pack light, decline the napkin, and recycle. Consider taking public transportation to and from the airport, and for sightseeing purposes. Finally, flying can seriously deepen your carbon footprint, so look into carbon offsets. But as always, watch out for greenwashing, which is rampant in the travel industry.

--Michael Mullaley

Southwest Unveils Green Plane

Southwest Airlines debuted its green plane last week, a Boeing 737-700 that features a 100 percent recyclable, carbon-neutral carpet, recycled seat covers, and lighter seat components. The lightweight seat covers, life vests, and foam fill will reduce the plane's load by almost five pounds per seat, making the green plane more fuel efficient. According to China View, the green plane should save about 9,500 gallons of fuel each year.

While the green plane doesn't beat the staycation for carbon savings, it is a step in the right direction. The unveiling of Southwest's new plane is only the latest greening effort in an industry that's aware of its carbon problem: In June, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) committed to a goal of carbon-neutral growth by 2020. More recently the IATA said it would approve biofuels for commercial flights by 2010. The airline industry still has a long way to go, and we're hoping that the green plane won't be its last move.

--Della Watson

Planning a trip? Before you fly, check out our tips for greener air travel.

Random Acts of Greenness: Outdoor Etiquette

When we do something nice for a stranger without expecting anything in return, we call it a random act of kindness. We think that the same principle can be applied to our quest to live greener lives. This week we'll offer ideas for good deeds that'll make people smile and help the planet.

Tip #4: Be a Good Steward

The next time you hike your favorite trail or take a stroll on the beach, aim to leave it a better place than you found it. Collect any trash or recyclables you find along the way and put them in the proper receptacles. Your cleaning effort will help protect fragile ecosystems and make the outdoor experience more enjoyable for the next person who visits that spot. 

Share your tips: How do you improve trails and beaches?

Mali's New Eco-Training Camp

Mali, one of the world's poorest countries, is among those being hit hardest by climate change. Floods plague its southern half during the rainy season, while its north is a landscape of unforgiving agricultural terrain, desiccated land that’s turning into desert, spreading south, and forcing inhabitants farther from home. As temperatures rise, epidemics of diseases like malaria and meningitis become more frequent and severe. As in many such developing countries, there’s a great need for climate-change mitigation and adaptation assistance, an important component of which is environmental education.

Enter Camp Bio, a new eco-training camp nestled in the forêt classée des Monts Mandingues, in Djissoumabougou, Mali. Conceived in 2006, the camp sprang out of a convention signed by the Malian government and the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Funding for the camp comes from UNCCD, an NGO called the Malian Folk Center, and Mali’s government.

Lonely National Parks Seek Visitors

Meet Congaree National Park. It's a peaceful marshland in South Carolina boasting old-growth floodplain forests, tranquil fishing spots, and a 50-mile paddling trail for canoeists and kayakers. 

But as of August, Congaree had only gotten about 63,000 visitors in 2009. Compare that to the 3.5 million Yosemite gets each year and we're left thinking: where's the love?

Don’t get us wrong – we adore the heavy hitters on our national park lineup. Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and others of the in-crowd have rightfully earned our affection. But there's a whole realm of overlooked parks packed with prime hiking, camping, and paddling opportunities. Visit them, and you can expect fewer gift shops and more chances to connect with nature.

That's why we were delighted when the Los Angeles Times ran a photo essay about Congaree and more of our least-visited national parks. It has us itching for our tents and hiking boots.

-- Année Tousseau

Daily Roundup: October 9, 2009

Please Relieve: During October, passengers on Japan's Nippon Airlines will be asked to use the restroom before boarding to reduce the amount of weight on the flight. Nippon Airlines hopes the one-month experiment will save about 5 tons of carbon emissions. Treehugger

Tough Sell: Chinese manufacturer Sichuan Tengzhong finalized its $150 million purchase of Hummer from General Motors. To seal the deal, China's regulators must be convinced of the brand's profitability and energy efficiency. Wall Street Journal

These Boots Are Made for Walking: The G-77 nations walked out of a meeting at U.N. climate talks in Bangkok, accusing the United States of attempting to destroy the Kyoto protocol. New York Times

Drama Down Under: Sea Shepard founder and "Whale Wars" star Paul Watson can't board his Australian-based ship until he satisfies new good-character requirements necessary for an Australian visa. Ecorazzi and Brisbane Times

Worth Going the Extra Mile: A new study by the Nature Conservancy found that serious hikers tend to support conservation organizations, but casual sightseers are less likely to give money to environmental groups. Science Daily

--Della Watson

World Monuments Watch Promotes Sustainable Tourism

Just as global warming and urban development threaten many animal and plant species, some cultural monuments are also in danger of extinction. The World Monument Fund (WMF) announced this week the 2010 World Monuments Watch, a list of cultural heritage sites in need of protection. Machu Picchu, Peru, the Phajoding monastery in Bhutan, and the ancient desert castles of Khorezm, Uzbekistan are among the 93 at-risk sites. The WMF advocates sustainable stewardship to reduce the impacts of natural disasters, war, urban sprawl, and neglect on the world's historical legacy.

Conservation efforts certainly benefit from funding, but long-term preservation won't happen without a world-wide shift to a sustainable mindset. If you already consider yourself a good eco-tourist, you'll be glad to know that many of the same rules apply when visiting cultural landmarks: Walk as much as possible, minimize your impact by staying on marked trails, support local businesses, and never remove anything from a historical site. Find more tips on sustainable tourism at the WMF's Web site.

--Della Watson

Green Your Plane Flight: Even it Out

The airlines seem to be lagging in terms of going green. But you can still maintain responsible habits when you fly. This week’s tips tell you how.

Tip #4: Offset 

This is the obvious tip for greening a plane flight. It's still controversial—some people view carbon offsetting as penance for an irrevocable sin already committed. But we think it's better than nothing. If you're going to fly anyway, what's the harm in also funding renewable-energy projects and trees being planted?

Tell us: What do you think about carbon offsets?

Green Your Plane Flight: Pack Light

The airlines seem to be lagging in terms of going green. But you can still maintain responsible habits when you fly. This week’s tips tell you how.

Tip #3: Lighten Your Luggage

The equation is simple: Heavier luggage burns more fuel. So if everyone leaves a little more at home, we’ll save immense amounts of emissions. (Incidentally, this is a good reason to lose body weight too.) And remember to get those liquids, gels, and aerosols out of your carry-on if they weigh more than 3 ounces; otherwise, they’ll end up in the landfill before their time.

Tell us: What are your tips for traveling light?