Green Daily

Even though I also write for a travel site, I often struggle to find good green travel options. There is no standardization in the way hotels and attractions report their eco-efforts, and so you have to dig around for information. With The Eco-Travel Guide, by Alastair Fuad-Luke, we green voyagers have a resource book to guide our wanderlust.

Fuad-Luke is a well-known presence in the world of sustainable and eco-friendly design and the founder of slowdesign.org. His design sensisibilities can be felt throughout the well organized and beautifully illustrated Eco-Travel Guide.

The book is set up in four parts. It starts with an exploration of the idea of eco-travel and how our need to move around the world consumes energy and resources. Fuad-Luke also includes a detailed and well-researched discussion on how to "mitigate the negative impacts of travel".

Once you're in this responsible frame of mind, you're ready to explore the world with sections two and three, Eco-destinations and Eco-products.

By their nature, lists of destinations go out of date quickly, but arm-chair travelers and adventurous trekkers alike will be inspired by the descriptions of 200 international spas, camps, resorts and villas. Each entry includes information on green credentials, conservation efforts and activities.

The eco-product line is a bit more evergreen, and just as fascinating. Did you know about the Solar Sailor ferry that runs in Sydney Harbor? Or the very foldable -- and round -- Locust bike? Again, you can really see Fuar-Luke's design aesthetic in the 100 products he includes.

The final section is Resources, which includes a glossary, index of eco-destinations and suggested reading list. It's a great place for beginning eco-tourists or people with more experience who want a quick way to check information.

You can order the book directly from publishers Thames & Hudson for just $29.95.