After creating Earth Day in 1970, Boomers have spread the good word around the world through their travels, retirements abroad and, of course, by raising Generation X and beyond to care about the environment.
The blossoming of the eco-tourism sector and attendant resorts, the exponential growth of activities focusing on the outdoors and a greater awareness of our carbon footprints (okay, did you even know what that meant a few years ago?) are all a result of 42 years of education from what used to be called the ecology movement.
Travel has been greatly affected by this new awareness -- but you have to be a conscientious consumer to make your voyages greener. There are many ways to reduce the negative impacts as well as positively affect the environment on your trips. Here are ten tips on what to look for and do:
1.Destinations: Rather than doing grand tours, travel to one place and stay longer. You'll use less fuel as well as get to know an area much better. Instead of seeing all of Eastern Europe, why not focus on just Bulgaria and get to know the culture, foods, arts and language?
2.Transportation: You may have little choice but to take a jet to your overseas destination, but once there take trains, buses, boats or cars rather than planes. These save on fuel (compared to planes), are cheaper and allow you to see a lot more of the country from the ground. Even better, bicycle or stay in one place longer.
3.Accommodations: Look for genuine eco-resorts and check out what, exactly, makes them green. Ban Mai Beach Resort, to be built in the next year on the coast of Vietnam, will feature innovative construction, alternative energy and organic farming, and will plant a tree for every guest.
4.Food: Don't let your paranoia get the best of you and avoid over-packaged foods. Instead, head for the markets, mom and pop establishments, organic shops and vegetarian/vegan restaurants.
5.Drink: Instead of adding to the millions of water bottles that aren't recycled, carry your own water bottle and refill it from the hotel/hostel multi-liter containers of purified water.
6.Packing: Don't over-pack as the additional weight results in every form of transportation using more fuel getting you there. Also, as much as possible, borrow travel gear and clothing rather than buying new.
7.Activities: Look for activities that don't use fuel, packaging or cause damage to the environment. Consider volunteering vacations for organizations that regenerate natural environments or assist abused animals such as the Center for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (C.A.R.E.).
8.Shopping: Buy locally-made souvenirs to help indigenous cultures survive and minimize the fuel used in the transportation of foreign-made goods. They're also less likely to be packaged in paper, cardboard and plastic which add to our landfills.
9.Guide Books: Rather than buy guidebooks, borrow from friends or do all your searching on line. Some can be purchased in pdf format, chapter by chapter, and can be left on your electronic device for reference such as Lonely Planet .
10.Reduce, Reuse & Recycle: Buy less to save both the environment and money. When you do buy use items until you can no longer get anything out of them. Then give the items to charitable organizations, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army, which may be able to sell them to someone else for reuse. If not that, then recycle them.
There are so many ways to make travel more green -- it just takes a little bit of consciousness and effort -- and the rewards are usually obvious in the wonderful places we visit and want to preserve. That's why green travel tips should be practiced all year round -- not just on Earth Day.
(Note: The author is associated with the Ban Mai Beach Resort as Vice President of Marketing and was a volunteer at C.A.R.E., but receives no benefits from the organization.)
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.