Green Daily

Surfing Big Green Waves

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation, Activism, Fitness

C. Lincon/Lucky Cat Photography

Surfers are one of the greenest and most environmentally-active groups of athletes. It probably has something to do with all of the time they spend hanging out in the water, on their self-propelled boards, waiting for waves and contemplating the environment around them. Looking out for sharks really sharpens your awareness of your surroundings!

Surfrider Foundation is the best known of the surfing environmental groups. Their strategic initiatives (yes, these surfers have strategic initiatives, so much for stereotypes) includes clean water, beach access, beach preservation and protecting special places. They celebrated their 25th anniversary this year with several events, including a beach clean-up followed by a concert, sponsored by Barefoot wines.

A lot of people still think of surfing as male sport, but Smart Girls Who Surf would like to remind us that women are awesome on the board, too. They are a small natural skincare company in California that make environmentally friendly sun protection, soaps, lotions and conditioners. They also sponsor an inspiring team of young women surfers, including world-traveler Liz Clark.

Do you ever think about the carbon footprint produced by surfing? Most of us don't, but GreenSurf.org is a non-profit dedicated to "sustainable surfing" to protect the oceans. From using environmentally friendly products (like Smart Girls Who Surf!) to offsetting the drive or flight to the waves with Carbonfree Surfing, Greensurf encourages surfers to be conscious of how their choices impact the environment. Oh, and they support Liz Clark, too!

You don't have to be a surfer to support these organizations. Just someone who loves the ocean and beaches, and wants them to be around so we can enjoy them. Which is pretty much all of us, right?

Surfing Big Green Waves originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kimpton Helps the Nature Conservancy Plant a Billion Trees

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation

You've probably heard about the Nature Conservancy's "Plant a Billion Trees" campaign. It's very straight-forward: donate a dollar and they will plant a tree in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The goal is to restore or preserve 30 million acres of forest by 2015, and remove 10 million tons of carbon dioxide ... annually!

Various companies have partnered with the Nature Conservancy, including Payless Shoes. Now one of my favorite socially-responsible hospitality organizations, the Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, is increasing their support to the tree planting efforts.

Kimpton already had a relationship with the Nature Conservancy to donate the proceeds from their in-house filtered Natura(R) water program.
Now they've added a "Giving Tree" rate code to their program which will give you 10% off the best available rate, plus they will donate $10 for each stay to "Plant a Billion Trees" -- that's 10 trees per visit!

"Plant a Billion Trees" has planted about 5.5 million trees. Which is a lot, but it's still a long way to a billion. The Atlantic Forest needs our help, and this Kimpton promo gives me an idea ...

With the holiday travel season is upon us, and travel a mandatory family responsibility rather than optional pleasure, consider staying at a Kimpton hotel and making your money work twice: once for you, and once for the rainforest.

BTW, Kimpton's Earthcare program probably makes their properties more environmentally friendly than your home. They even recycle wire hangers (I know I haven't made it that far yet!), so you can feel green and good about staying there.

Let's face it -- waking up on the pull-out coach at your mother-in-law's in a rough way to start a day, even when you're on vacation. But if you tell her you have to stay at a hotel to help the environment? Really, who can say no to planting a tree? She might even thank you, and offer to split the cost!

Kimpton Helps the Nature Conservancy Plant a Billion Trees originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ritz-Carlton Shows that Luxury and Green Can Coexist

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation

Compostable hot cup at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, CA. Credit: Cat Lincoln

My friend Annie Scott wrote a great post for our sister site Gadling about the many eco-initiatives of luxury hotel titan, Ritz-Carlton. It was serendipitous timing. I had just done a review of the Ritz-Carlton property in Half Moon Bay and heard about their "Green Initiative" in this ecologically fragile area. Just days later, my GreenDaily colleague Kristin Seymour sent me information about the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach receiving bronze-level Green Seal Certification.

Ritz-Carlton, with a name already synonymous with luxury and service, is officially becoming an eco-leader in the hotel industry!

While in Jamaica to learn more about event services offered by the Ritz-Carlton, Annie discovered, almost by chance, several green packages, including Giveback Getaways, Meaningful Meetings, A Vow to Help Others and VolunTeaming. She also heard about, and then researched Community Footprints, which is the Ritz-Carlton's admirable and successful local community involvement program.
Out here in California, I was pleased to see a list of Green Initiatives at the Half Moon Bay resort. Perched on a breath-taking bluff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, guests are constantly reminded of the wonders of nature. The initiatives include:

Providing in-room recycling (you'd be surprised at how rare this still is!)
Composting left over food from the restaurant, banquets and employee cafeteria
Using recycled paper products
Instituting a water reuse system for their laundry facility
Using local, natural irrigation for our coastal landscape

Across the country, Kristen learned that in March of this year the Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach, Florida, became the first Ritz-Carlton property to achieve Bronze Level Status and to be certified by both national and state Green Seal organizations. They plan to continue to implement eco-initiatives, and pursue Silver Level Status by the end of the year.

Programs in place at the property include:

energy efficient lighting and air conditioning
low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets
exclusive use of bio-degradable, petrochemical-free cleaning products, made from renewable resources

They are also dedicated to protecting the nearby Everglades and Jupiter Beach. During turtle nesting season they turn off beach lighting and bring in beach chairs to make it safe for the turtles to get back to the ocean. In guest rooms you'll find a toy "Loggie the sea turtle" for sale. A portion of the proceeds go to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center on Juno Beach.

The Ritz has a tendency to underplay these programs and offerings because they want to avoid seeming self-serving. Like Annie, I believe that transparency in the hotel industry is a two-way street. Sure, it's important to uncover negative things, but it's just as important to know about good things!

I've said it before -- we eco-travelers want to see all of a hotel's green initiatives spelled out on their sites, because we want to vote with our dollars and support the companies that share our values. Make it easy for us, even if it means bragging a little. In some cases, bragging is good!

Ritz-Carlton Shows that Luxury and Green Can Coexist originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obamas Love National Parks and So Should You

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)

Wondering what to do with the kids this weekend? How about getting into the great outdoors at one of the amazing National Parks we're lucky enough to have, thanks to conservation minded Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt? They're on sale this weekend!

August 15th and 16th, 147 parks are waiving the entrace fee, saving families anywhere from $3 to $25 on a visit to some pretty spectacular wonders, like the "three parks in one" of Big Bend National Park in Texas, or the rugged Maine coast line of Acadia National Park.

President Obama is taking his family with him on a tour of several western parks this week, including the very first one, Yellowstone National Park, which was established in 1872. The first family will also be part of the reason for those long lines at the Grand Canyon, but believe me the view is totally worth the wait!
Most Americans are lucky enough to have a park within one day's driving distance from their home, according to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. To find one near you, check out the "find a park" function on the National Park Service website.

Remember to bring your camera!

Obamas Love National Parks and So Should You originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to Travel Green

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation

How To Travel Green on Howcast

Many of you out there are trying to squeeze in an end-of-summer vacation. One last hurrah before starting the back-to-school hustle and the post-Labor Day push at work.

One reason that travel can be so fun is because we give ourselves permission to bend the rules a little -- who hasn't ordered dessert, or had french fries instead of salad "because I'm on vacation"? It's great to relax and indulge, but one area where you should stay vigilant is in your green practices.

This great video from Howcast has some smart and easy tips for ways to keep your vacation from inflating your carbon footprint beyond all recognition. The big surprise for me was that day flights cause less damage to the environment than night flights. Who knew?
They also recommend staying at a green or eco-friendly resort. This will soon be easier to do, because in 2010 AAA is adding an eco-designation to their hotel reviews. Welcome news for anyone who's ever spent fifteen minutes clicking through a website trying to figure out if a hotel recycles or or not!

Other advice includes packing lighter, unplugging those energy vampire appliances while you're away, and using public transportation. All good ideas! Check out the video for the complete list.

How to Travel Green originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'America's Best Zoos' Book Review

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation, Plants and Wildlife

(Photo by intrepidtraveler.com)

Ever since I was a little kid, zoos have fascinated me. My brother and I would beg our dad to take us to the Franklin Park Zoo practically every weekend. As a grown up, I love to spend an afternoon at the San Francisco Zoo, photographing gorillas and giraffes. And whenever I travel, zoos are high on my list of attractions to visit, so I'm totally the target market for a travel guide called "America's Best Zoos"!

The publisher was nice enough to send me a review copy of the book, written by Allen W. Nyhuis and Jon Wassner. This afternoon I meant to flip through it, and instead spent an hour creating a new must-see list of zoo exhibits, like the Range of the Jaguar at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida, and the Congo Gorilla Forest at the Bronx Zoo.

Since the book is organized by geographic region, I basically mapped out a cross-country zoo visiting wishlist. Set up like a traditional travel guide, each entry includes with logistical information like address, admission fees and hours, and highlights the "don't miss it" exhibits at each location.
The authors, who are zoo lovers and visitors, share interesting background and anecdotes about each zoo. They also include a section just for the kids, which is a nice feature because there is a big difference between a petting zoo and some of the sophisticated, eco-friendly refuges that you find in modern zoos.

The guide is written in clear, engaging prose, and you can tell that both Nyhuis and Wassner really love their subject -- only true afficionados can absorb all of that detail, and then turn around and share it with such a sense of excitement and wonder. I especially appreciated their efforts to showcase the unique aspect of each zoo.

Since I live near the glorious Monterey Bay Aquarium, I was surprised that it didn't make it on to their "greatest" list. Turns out they have an addendum on their website that includes Aquariums. See what I mean? Broad strokes are for amateurs, these guys are all about specifics!

Check out a copy of "America's Best Zoos" before your next vacation. Chances are you'll find a cool zoo near your destination. Remember, most zoos play an important role in the conservation of endangered species, and they get most of their funding from visitors like you and me. Plus, it's way more memorable to see actual lions, tigers and bonobos than another Rainforest Cafe. Just take my word for it.

'America's Best Zoos' Book Review originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants are Super Green

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Travel and Vacation

(Photo by Natura)

As I've mentioned, one of my other jobs is writing for UpTake.com's hotels blog. It's a fun gig that lets me indulge in my love of travel and in the best of cases, sometimes it also overlaps with my eco-interests.

A great example of this is the Kimpton group of hotels and restaurants. I just recently stayed at one of their properties, the 70 Park Avenue, in NYC, and as always it was a delightfully green hotel stay. In-room recycling, energy efficient water and light fixtures, organic toiletries, and of course we reused our towels.

The San Francisco-based organization consistently demonstrates some of the best environmental practices in the hotel and restaurant industries. In 2005 they formally launched the "EarthCare" program in all of their properties, but they've been practicing green as far back as 1981!

The Earthcare program ranges from using non-toxic cleaning products to printing collateral on post-consumer waste recycled paper to hotel key cards made from eco-friendly 30% post consumer recycled plastic. Plus, I appreciate that they are so willing to share information about their green efforts. Knowing about their practices definitely influences me to pick them over another hotel that doesn't publicize their environmental policies.

The Kimpton Restaurants, a collection of "chef-driven" restaurants, just announced three new sustainability initiatives in 21 of their dining rooms:

Wines: By January 2010, 30% of the wines offered will be organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines from small and large producers
Seafood: Restaurants only serve sustainable seafood in accordance with Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program -- this has already been implemented
Water: Thanks to a partnership with commercial water filter company Natura(R), by July 2009 the restaurants will offer guests filtered tap water. This will reduce disposable bottle usage, plus Kimpton and Natura(R) will are making a contribution to The Nature Conservancy based on the number of bottles of water sold.

Now that so many companies and organizations like the Kimpton group have established eco-programs, it's exciting to see the creativity driving this next wave of initiatives, not to mention the inspiring results: By making the water change, Kimpton will be able to reduce their oil consumption by 5,000 barrels, and CO2 emission by 2,340 tons in just one year!

Ready to enjoy a glass of organic wine with your sustainably fished salmon? Visit the Kimpton Restaurant page to see a list of restaurants by state, and even make your reservation online.

Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants are Super Green originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take a Summer Trip to Conservation Central

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Home, Travel and Vacation, Plants and Wildlife

(Photo by Getty Images)

The days are getting longer and school is almost out. That means it's time to make summer vacation plans!

After a few seasons of "staycations," many people are craving a break from their everyday life -- we want a little adventure! By the same token, the economy is still shaky, and the spirit of giving back is still a strong influence on all of our decisions.

How does a conservation-minded person reconcile all of these feelings and motivations?

One answer is to take advantage of the World Wildlife Fund vacation packages that promote conservation while taking travelers to remote sites in a sustainably-managed way. The programs offered include:

a trip to the Arctic to see polar bears, who might be gone soon and need all the support they can get
a voyage to Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve to help improve the water and ensure conservation of natural resources
visit remote islands in New Zealand and help prevent the bycatch of dolphins
a family vacation to Belize to help conserve the Mesoamerican reef, which you even get to visit on a snorkel excursion!

The International Eco-Tourism Society offers even more choices of location, beneficiary and location, as well as tips and educational tools. The site even has a brand new eco-tourism job board, in case the thought of going home fills you with dread.

If your budget is still a bit tight for ~~international~~ any travel, there's always a day at your local zoo. It may not be as exotic as Kenya or Belize, but it can still be educational, entertaining, and in a way you're supporting conservation efforts. And if you're very clever about how you take pictures, you might even be able to convince the gang back at the office that you were in a truly wild place!

Take a Summer Trip to Conservation Central originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 15 May 2009 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"The Eco-Travel Guide" Book Review

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation

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.

"The Eco-Travel Guide" Book Review originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart Car2Go Program Rolls Out in Austin

Josh Loposer — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:09:00 EST

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Local, Travel and Vacation

Of all places in US to launch an experimental car-sharing program, most analysts would probably put any city in truck-month loving Texas somewhere near the bottom of the list. Thwarting intuition, that's somehow the very first place that Diamler is going to test their Car2Go mobility program. The horde of Smart ForTwos for rent will descend upon the Lone Star State's capital city this fall.
Diamler's first Smart sharing program was launched last October in Ulm, Germany, where there are now 200 ForTwos available for rent by the minute, hour, or day. Though they haven't announced any pricing for the state-side pilot program, the Fortwos in Ulm rent for € .19/minute, €9.90/hour, and €49/day -- pretty reasonable for those who only need a car every now and then.

According to ABG, the Austin pilot program will help Diamler work out the kinks when it comes to language, laws, and general functionality. I guess that makes sense. Here's Austin mayor Will Wynn's take on the matter:

"We very much look forward to becoming the first international partner of car2go. Our city is known for its strong sense of environmental responsibility. Car2go fits this wonderfully because we can then offer the residents of Austin an intelligent mobility concept with a high positive environmental factor. The project has our full support."

The bonus incentive to launching a project like this in Austin is that, rather than in San Francisco or New York, if it can be successful in a place with a car culture as strong as Texas, it can work anywhere.

[via Wired]

Smart Car2Go Program Rolls Out in Austin originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wend Magazine - Green Travel and Cool Adventures

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: News, Travel and Vacation

If you're looking for a fascinating new magazine read, check out Wend. It has a compelling combination of travel and adventure stories, flavored with strong environmental awareness. Reading even one issue will inspire you to go on an escapade this weekend, even if it's just to volunteer at your local park or beach.

Wend features first person stories about globetrotters and vagabonds who are lucky enough -- or daring enough -- to do wild things like walk around the world, including across the Bering Strait. Or sail on a research expedition to explore the giant plastic "Eastern Garbage Patch" in the Pacific. Or ride a bike across Iran.

In every issue you'll find stories about current happenings in the outdoor world and sports, updates on environmental issues, exotic food, and a guest piece from an environmental non-profit. There are also great photo essays, and of course, those intense first person features.

The thing that makes the stories so fun to read is that the voice of the magazine is all about the journey, not the destination. The authors explore the thing things that compelled them to travel, how it feels, what they learned on the road.

You can get a paper copy of Wend, printed with soy-based ink on really nice FSC-certified paper, or check out the more environmentally-friendly (and so slick) electronic version. Right now you can get a digital subscription for only $5! That is such a great deal I'm telling everyone to go do it right this minute, both for yourself and to support this awesome publication. Plus it makes a perfect Earth Day gift for a loved one!

And by the way, their blog is excellent, too, with recent posts about cool solar bags, naked hikers, and a regular reader submitted feature called WIPEOUT WEDNESDAYS ... you can imagine what those videos look like!

Wend Magazine - Green Travel and Cool Adventures originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Flying Standby Greener?

Leslie Wolcott — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation

We may all be flying a little less in these financially tight times, but we also may be looking for cheaper ways to fly when we have to get somewhere far away. In my case, buddy passes from friends who work for airlines have allowed me to travel more than I could have otherwise.

I was talking to one of those friends recently, who said that when she calculated her carbon footprint, she didn't count her standby flights: the planes would fly anyway, she said, and plus, it would make her carbon footprint huge.

If I took my standby flights out of by carbon footprint calculation, my footprint would go down several thousand pounds of C02. What do you think? Is flying standby greener?

Does it depend on how you fly-- whether you get a direct flight or you have to go through several cities to get to your final destination?

It looks like a few people have already considered the issue. This blogger has an amusing but somewhat accurate take on the issue. Here's another resource that compares flying to driving in a number of different situations from About.com.

If you can't answer this question, or if you have to fly anyway, check out the Stockholm Environmental Institute's "Flying Green" Handout. They tell you both greener ways to travel and the best way to pick a carbon offset company if you decide to compensate that way for your air travel.

Is Flying Standby Greener? originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Working or Playing at South By Southwest Festival? Be Green

Sea Stachura — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books, Travel and Vacation, Reference/Green 101

If you are in Austin or on your way there, keep in mind that you can relatively sustainable at SXSW. SXSW is a 22 year old music festival in Austin that is the place to be for musicheads and techie types, and it is in full swing right now.

Here are few things to consider while you do your daily listening:

SXSW has partnered with Bicycle Sport Shop to provide a variety of rental bikes. Bike, don't drive, or walk. Downtown Austin is not that big.
Pedicabs are also available. And who doesn't want a ride in one of those?
Everyone has a battery need at a time like this. Use rechargeable batteries, and buy solar powered battery chargers for your cell phone, iPod, etc.
SXSW suggests you head to their sustainability panels, and that you read "The Weather Makers" by Tim Flannery.
SXSW also suggests you avoid the brand new "I was at SXSW" t-shirt in exchange for vintage clothes on South Congress
They also encourage getting your water bottle out and refilling it with tap water or water from the fountain at the Austin Convention Centre.
As many will be craving an alcoholic beverage, SXSW also suggests you look for local beers and wines. Local means less carbon created in getting your beer to your lips.

And check out the SXSW YouTube site if you can't go.

Working or Playing at South By Southwest Festival? Be Green originally appeared on Green Daily on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robo Fish to Monitor The World's Oceans

Josh Loposer — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Travel and Vacation, GreenTech, Plants and Wildlife

If you notice a school of menacing-looking metallic carp pass by you while you're snorkeling off the coast of Spain, don't freak out. You're most likely not going to get to name a previously undiscovered species. A group of scientists from the UK-based BMT Group have developed a school of robo-fish that will soon be released into the sea to monitor pollution levels. Their first mission: monitor the Port of Gijon in nothern Spain.
The fish will use WiFi technology to send information from their pollution monitoring sensors back to mission control, allowing BMT researchers to develop real time pollution maps.

Robo-fish will also be equipped with advanced autonomous navigation systems, which will enable them to swim around the port without any human interaction. When they start to run out of juice (they've got about 8 hours of run time), these robo-carp will automatically return to mission control, aka the "charging hub." Says senior research scientist from BMT, Rory Doyle:

"In using robotic fish we are building on a design created by hundreds of millions of years' worth of evolution which is incredibly energy efficient."

[via CleanTechnica]

Robo Fish to Monitor The World's Oceans originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drought and DeGrassifying in Las Vegas

Josh Loposer — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Home, Local, Travel and Vacation

It's no secret that prolonged drought conditions have put most of the Western US in dire straits when it comes to water. In what is probably the most glaring examples of unsustainable development outside of Dubai, the warm weather and dry air (and gambling) have made Las Vegas one of the fastest growing cities in the US. Combine that sprawl with declining snow pack in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, and you've got a water conservation issue that is a story all by itself.

Rather than wait for a Noah's Ark sized flood to bail them out, the city government has instituted all sort of restricitons and incentives to help slow the draining of Lake Mead. One of those measures is what I'm calling de-grassification. The city is offerring to pay residents $1.50 per square foot for converting their grass lawns into desert landscaping. Even if don't live in Las Vegas, it's a good idea to rethink your landscaping. Other very visible areas, like golf courses are cutting back on lawn farming. The Angel Park Golf Club, for example, is actually in the process of tearing up 80 acres of unnecessary turf and replacing it with gravel. Crazy.

Drought and DeGrassifying in Las Vegas originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney Unveils Plan to Go Zero Emissions

Josh Loposer — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Travel and Vacation, Climate Change

For years, Disney has be known for bringing fairy tales to life, but can the film studio/retailer of plasticrap/world's most outlandish amusement park operator really ever succeed in completely zeroing out their emissions? Apparently, the minds at Disney think so. On Monday, they announced plans to cut fuel emissions in half at the company's retail stores, theme parks, and cruise lines by 2012. From there, Disney will attempt to eradicate its entire carbon mouseprint.

If the idea of making Disney zero emissions makes your brain hurt, you're not alone. Personally, I can't even imagine how the plan to divert 100% of their landfill waste -- which they also committed to Monday. According to Disney, they plan to completely eliminate their landfill output (which was 300,000 tons in 2006) through composting, recycling, and purchasing post consumer waste. Unsuprisingly, Disney has yet to "put a definite time horizon" on this unbelievalbe transformation. According to Disney, that's partly because some of the technologies needed haven't been developed yet. Wow, talk about lofty goals.

Disney Unveils Plan to Go Zero Emissions originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everyone Loves the Pink Dolphin

Josh Loposer — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Local, Travel and Vacation, Plants and Wildlife

You're probably wondering if the pink dolphin is the latest and greatest eco-friendly sex toy shaped like a dolphin. Well, this post isn't about sex toys at all (try this one). Instead, it's actually about a super rare bottlenose dolphin that's actually pink in color. Quite literally, a pink dolphin. The dolphin was first spotted in an inland saltwater lake in Louisiana by a charter boat captain who notice it's light coloration as it swam. On closer inspection, he discovered that "it was absolutely stunningly pink."

The briliant pink flipper isn't part of a previously undiscovered sub-species -- although that would be awesome -- it's actually an albino, unblemished pink from nose to tail. Even its eyes are pink. As the world's only documented pink bottlenose dolphin, this fuiscia flipper has become an instant tourist attraction for Lake Calcasieu, a saltwater estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico by a ship chanel. Experts ask that any sightseers that come to gawk at the dolphin "respect it - observe from a distance, limit their time watching, don't chase or harass it."

[via BoingBoing]

Everyone Loves the Pink Dolphin originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Los Angeles Airport May Plant Its Own Solar Farm

Sea Stachura — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: News, Travel and Vacation, Alternative Energy

Many a decade ago, Los Angeles World Airports decided to buy land, via eminent domain, in Palmdale. Palmdale is a town about a 60 miles northeast of Los Angeles. In the late 1970s Los Angeles airport officials thought this land could be a great airport, but it never got off the ground. Nothing happened. Now, LAX has an idea for that patch of dirt in the desert.

A solar farm. A local proposition recently passed requires that Los Angeles create 400 megawatts of electricity from solar installations by 2014. That's a lot. It's doable, but a solar farm in the desert would help bunches. The city's Department of Water and Power would like to use about 4,000 acres of the land for a solar farm.

Some officials aren't thrilled about this idea, largely because the land was taken from residents for airport purposes that have never materialized. No carrier has made Palmdale a longterm base, and LAX hasn't gotten around to doing anything with the land. If that hurtle is successfully crossed the Federal Airport Administration will need to approve using airport land for something other than flying planes.

Proponents say the move could create 8,000 jobs. Opponents say it will really just produce high utility rates. The word that both of them use is solar.

[via LA Times]

Los Angeles Airport May Plant Its Own Solar Farm originally appeared on Green Daily on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go to the Beach, Come Home with Some Staph

Patricia Mayville-Cox — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Travel and Vacation

While there are lots of things that can annoy your skin after a visit to the beach, like the sand, the sunscreen and the sun, you may also be bring home some staph bacteria, according to a new study.

A study from researchers at the University of Miami showed that swimmers at crowded public beaches in the subtropical zone, such as Florida, have a 37 percent higher risk of being exposed to staph, including Methicillin- resistant staph, or MRSA. The researchers believe that the staph comes from other swimmers, and then is transferred in the water. It is also possible that the bacteria is in the sand, but even then, it would originate from other people.

The researchers recommend showering before the beach as not to deposit your own germs into the water, and showering once you leave. They also note that as long as you don't go into the water with an open wound, you should be "fine." I would also think avoiding overcrowded beaches could lessen the risk a bit, if the staph is indeed coming from people.

Go to the Beach, Come Home with Some Staph originally appeared on Green Daily on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing's Cloud Seeding Brings Snowstorm

Josh Loposer — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Travel and Vacation, Climate Change

We already know that Beijing is far from shy when it comes to tampering with the weather, they proved that when they shot anti-rain missles into the sky to keep the Olympic Games dry. Now, the Beijing Weather Modification Command Center (yes, there really is such a thing) is working to bust a severe drought. Over the last few days, they've shot rockets containing 500 cigarette-sized sticks of silver iodide from 28 rocket bases all over the city.

What they got in return for their effort was a mini-blizzard. The snow didn't come out of nowhere, small flurries started falling on Tuesday, so officials decided to try to milk some precipitation out of the clouds and see what happens. Based on the heavy snowfall that resulted, closing 12 major highways I might add, the Beijing's weather modifications are being viewed as a major victory.

"The snow has brought moisture to the soil and that may end the drought."

Whether or not you think it's a good idea, the idea of launching rockets filled of silver iodide into the clouds in order to coax a little rain out of the clouds has to be at best a semi-unsettling last resort. Personally, I find cloud seeding to be a creepy practice, so I'm hoping this doesn't become some kind of standard procedure.

Beijing's Cloud Seeding Brings Snowstorm originally appeared on Green Daily on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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