Long-Distance Travel
Green travel is respectful travel. It means that, wherever you go, you think about:
The environment. Try to find ways to get where you're going that have minimal impact on the planet, such as public transportation.
Local people. Whether you're traveling to the next town over or a faraway place, remember that people live there—and act accordingly. Be friendly, say hello, respect native culture, eat in locally owned restaurants, and buy locally made goods.
Your body. Take care of yourself when you travel, just as you do at home. Don't gorge on junk food, for example, or use toiletries that might contain harmful ingredients.
Whether you're on a business trip or vacation (or combining the two), the tips in this section will help you care for the earth while you explore it.
Before You Go
Green travel starts with planning ahead. Here's how to plan and prepare for your trip:
Book earth-friendly accommodations. Choose a hotel that's in line with your principles to lessen your impact on the environment and support green businesses. Lots of hotels claim to be green, but make sure those claims are true by looking for an independent opinion from an organization like Audubon International's Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program (http://greenleaf.auduboninternational.org). Or check out one of these websites:
Best Green Hotels (www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com) lets you search for a place to stay by location or hotel name.
"Green" Hotels Association (www.greenhotels.com) lists hotels ...