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From Escaping to Exploring
By Cliff Feigenbaum
I'm not sure when it began. Was it watching Jacques Cousteau's undersea adventures and Mutual of
Omaha's Wild Kingdom on television, or seeing the movies Born Free and White Fang? Or maybe it was
the subscription to National Geographic that my grandmother made sure we received. The King Tut
exhibit in Seattle back in the 70s was a high point for me. My school gave a test about King Tut
and those with the best grades got to go. I went and was transported to another world,-a world with
which I later reconnected to at the British Museum. (I have yet to visit Egypt, but plan to).
This is all to say that I've long had the travel bug, though in full disclosure, it has gone a
little dormant since my mid 30s. After journeying to Canada, Israel, Greece, Germany and the UK,
(as well as all over the US by train and bus when I was a kid) I have confined recent trips to
"get-aways" to Mexico and Hawaii, not necessarily for learning or exploration.
In 2000 it
was time for a big change, so I moved myself and GreenMoney Journal to Santa Fe, an "outdoor" town,
where nature is never far away and it's easy to find trails for hiking or biking. A walk in the
woods can transform a mood, I have repeatedly discovered.
However, the demands of
GreenMoney have often left me feeling squeezed for time, and even in this outdoor activities Mecca,
I too often fail to take advantage. Once again, I realize that to undertake a grand travel
adventure, I'll do better going beyond the limits of my own city and state.
So there it
is. I am a bit of an office-chair traveler these days. I hope to get back on a plane for some place
far away next year, and until then take a few road trips guided by the newly updated Healthy
Highways book by Nikki and David Goldbeck. And who knows? Maybe 2010 will be the year for tea in
the Egyptian Sahara.
My aim for this travel issue is to re-awaken my inner traveler.
Yours too.
Periodically GreenMoney does an EcoTravel issue. For this version we've asked
our writers to explore the following: First, how can travel have less negative impact on the
environment and more positive impact on indigenous people and cultures? Second, how can we "green"
our footprints when we travel? Third, what exactly is "cultural travel" or "Voluntours"? And
finally, what might an eco-adventurer actually experience?
We've reached out to some
genuine Ecotravelers for this special Green Business issue on EcoTravel. We include the views and
commentary from experts at The Ecotourism Society and Sustainable Travel International. Also, we
introduce an African eco-safari tour guide who shares her insights after decades of rich
experience.
Leading off the expanded online version here at GreenMoney.com is my friend
and co-author Hal Brill, who is an eco-traveler at his core. A free spirit, he cannot remain behind
any desk for long. His, soon-to-be wife, Allison, is cut from the same cloth. Enjoy their article
on the four-month trek through South and Central America. They offer us rare insights during their
"traveling sabbatical" which just ended in late May. Also online you'll find lots of EcoTravel
resources like the Green Hotel and the Green Restaurant Associations. Last and not least, enjoy a
great article on the respected clothing and gear company Patagonia, which has long been committed
to conserving (and traveling) the natural world and selling reliable products to support that goal.
So here is to pushing away from the desk to travel a little further and a little longer.
In closing, I'd like to recommend the new book "Transformational Speaking," by Gail
Larsen, who writes from the heart and offers this inspirational guide to help readers articulate
their passion for a better world. Gail has helped me tremendously over the years. Also as we went
to press with this issue, a brand new book "The Truth about Green Business" by Gil Friend has just
been released.
Finally, as my friend Sylvie reminded me again recently, enjoy the
journey, not just the destination.
- Cliff Feigenbaum, founder and publisher, cliff@greenmoney.com
PS- Don't forget to check out
our calendar that lists hundreds of green events around the
world.
Green Business: EcoTravel for Today and Tomorrow
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Feature articles
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Trends in Sustainable Travel and Tourism
Despite current economic conditions, sustainability is still a hot topic of conversation within the business world. It can be described as operating a business by making use of ecosystems and their resources in a manner that satisfies current needs without compromising the needs or options of future generations. Many argue that unsustainable business activities are largely responsible for the deterioration of the environment, the increasing pressure on the preservation of indigenous cultures and the increase in economic inequality. Fortunately, more and more business, governmental, and non-profit leaders have come to an understanding that drastic changes must occur in order to prevent global disaster. In the United States alone, 90 percent of the population states that it is important for companies to not just be profitable, but to be mindful of their impact on the environment and society.[1] Success is now being redefined and the baseline for measuring performance has been expanded. Business professionals are now focusing on the triple bottom line with socio-cultural and environmental dimensions being added to the traditional economic benchmark.
by Brian T. Mullis
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Africa: A Journey of Discovery
As our small safari sat watching a herd of zebras at a watering hole in Botswana on a clear, sunny August day, a gray plume of smoke on the horizon caught our eyes. Our guide softly spoke the dreaded word that brings fear to anyone visiting these dry, rain-starved plains-"Fire!" He started the engine while we held on to our seats and bounced roughly along making a dash toward the smoke. When we arrived everyone began stomping on the burning grasses along the edge of the fire, gathering small branches and palm fronds to beat down the higher flames, or scooping up handfuls of sand to throw on the even stronger flames. After a couple of hours we had tamed what certainly would have become a threat to land and wildlife. We'll never know whether someone thoughtlessly tossed a cigarette or if a piece of glass sat at just the right angle for the sun to ignite a patch of dry grass. Our only thought was to protect this pristine land and its wildlife from any harm caused by human imprint.
by Jean Zunkel and Betsy Younkins
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Staying Current with the Changing Face of Ecotourism
What is Ecotourism? - The Essentials
Ecotourism is tourism done in a specific way that follows a set of principles promoting social, environmental and economic sustainability. When implemented properly based on these principles, it exemplifies the benefits of responsible tourism development and management. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people" (TIES, 1990). This definition clearly outlines the key components of ecotourism: conservation, communities and sustainable travel.
by Ayako Ezaki
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Exclusive Articles
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The InvestorCycle Diaries: On the Road in South America
There comes a time when a guy needs to shake out of the daily grind and do the things that he's always wanted to do. But if one happens to be an SRI financial advisor, and the time happens to be in the midst of global economic turmoil, it doesn't work to just motorcycle off to South America Che Guevera style. This guy needed to figure out how to indulge his wild side while being responsible at the same time.
by Hal Brill, Founding Partner, Natural Investments LLC
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Patagonia: An Inspiration
Summer is around the corner and its time to plan this year's holiday vacation, where to go, what to do, and how to spend those precious few days off. I talked with Cliff Feigenbaum, Publisher of GreenMoney Journal, about this Eco-tourism issue over organic coffee a few months ago at our local coop grocer.
by Sylvie Obledo
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Slow Money, Manure and Prudence
We have, of late, begun to get religion about carbon in the atmosphere. We have begun to pour venture capital into clean tech, searching for ways to maintain our lifestyles and grow the economy, while dramatically reducing our ecological footprint. This vision of ecological footprint is, in a great many respects, a mechanical one, asking only: How can we design new machines that work more cleanly?
by Woody Tasch, author of "Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money"
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The Tao of Green Marketing
To the Chinese, Tao means "The Way.” A recent Google search for the phrase, "Saving the planet one (whatever) at a time" revealed more than 17,000,000 responses, with everything from “saving the planet one flush at time” to “one hanger at a time” to “one bag, one shower, one burger, one carpet, one idea…” You get the idea.
by Irv Weinberg and Carolyn Parrs of Mind Over Markets
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Additional Online Articles
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New Levels Of Innovation In Sustainable Tourism
WTTC announces the winners of the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards at the 9th Global Travel & Tourism Summit
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Green Travel Resources 2009
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Industry First Luxury Eco Certification Standard for Hoteliers Launched
Sustainable Travel International Helps Luxury Accommodations Discover a Deeper Shade of Green
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American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations make it easy to get out and give back
With a series of new trips for families, college students and those short on time, American Hiking Society's 2009 Volunteer Vacations make it easier than ever for hikers, trail advocates and volunteers of all ages to have fun, get outside and make a difference.
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Top Nine Restaurant Chains For Vegetarians
According to a Vegetarian Resource Group Zogby poll, when eating out, 6.7% of the U.S. population always chooses vegetarian meals, while 40.3% of Americans sometimes order a dish without meat, fish or fowl. (See http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2008issue3/restaurantpoll.pdf ) So, for all these customers, what are the top restaurant chains for vegetarians?
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Xanterra Restaurants Feature Green Cuisine, Sustainable Renovations
Restaurants Operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts Feature Variety of Green Cuisine Offerings, Sustainable Renovations and Cutting EdgE Waste-Reduction Programs
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Additional Articles: SRI News
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Appleseed Fund Ranked by Lipper as Best Performing Midcap Value Fund for 12 Months Ended March 31, 2009
Morningstar Lists Appleseed as the #1 Equity SRI Fund for 12 Months Ended March 31, 2009
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Calvert Experts: Strong White House Agenda on Clean Energy, Post-Recession Return of Higher Energy Prices Mean Potential Major Investor Opportunities in New Decade
Imposition of Price on Carbon, $150 Billion Green Jobs/Technology Investment, Resumption of Higher Energy Prices Making Alternative Energy More Competitive Seen as Potentially Making Clean Energy, Water and Infrastructure Even More Attractive.
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JPS Global Investments launches fund for accredited investors seeking better risk-adjusted exposure to the green economy
The Green Economy Fund will invest in alternative energy, efficiency, and environmental leaders, for investors seeking risk-managed green investment alternatives to enhance their existing portfolios.
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