Here some suggestions for Eco-destinations this winter from Earth911.com(Top Winter Eco Destinations by Lori Brown 1-11-10)
Vancouver, BC
The home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. It will be very crowded but here is Lori’s suggestion on a great hotel,
“The Listel Hotel in downtown Vancouver is one of the city’s most eco-friendly hotels, awarded four keys through the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program. The hotel utilizes unique geothermal heat capture technology along with solar panels for hot water heating, dramatically minimizing its natural gas consumption.
It also purchases power from a wind and low-impact hydro power energy company and composts all post-consumer food products, including meat. While its Web site says it’s booked for the Olympics, we did a little digging and found that there are still some rooms left.”
Sundance, UT
“Sundance has implemented a green purchasing policy, offsets 100 percent of its power usage through the purchase of wind-generated power, utilizes organic and recycled products and produce, offers carpooling for ski guests, employees a full-time naturalist for guest education and has a winter Ski Ecology program.
Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize
“It utilizes hydro-electric power, produces all vegetables for the lodge in its own organic garden,recycles waste water using aerobic biological treatment, composts all organic waste, purchases only recycled paper and locally produced organic hygiene products, and supports two major conservation research products.”
Centro Ecologico Sian Ka’an, Mexico
“This small lodge located near the Mayan ruins of Tulum in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is truly an industry leader for its environmental initiatives.
Operating completely on solar and wind energy, the non-governmental organization center has developed a wetland waste treatment system to recycle greywater and treat blackwater and uses a rainwater collection system for all non-drinking water needs.
The modestly priced cabins are perfect for the eco-minded traveler looking for an environmental education experience without all the unnecessary bells and whistles.”
Of course each traveler must remember that any vacation travel impacts the earth from the green house gases released to travel to the destination and the upset of habitat to build and maintain the resort, but these companies seem like they try harder than most to realize and thereby minimize the impact of humans.
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