Latest Posts

elephant riding

Elephants Exploited for Tourism: From Zoos to Treks

Published by Linda McCormick

elephant ridingImage: lyrabellacqua

This article by Laura Simpson Reeves first appeared on EthicalTraveler.org

The ethics of using animals for the amusement of tourists was again called into question recently following an attack on an animal keeper in Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Lucy Melo was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being crushed against a post by a baby elephant during a morning training session on October 19.

This follows the death of Franklin Zoo director and keeper Dr. Helen Schofield, who was crushed to death by the trunk of a former circus elephant in New Zealand in April this year. Both animal workers were reputed to have excellent relationships with the elephants involved, and both situations are believed to be accidents.

Read More

What is Responsible Travel?

Published by Gabi Logan

Unlike many types of travel that fall under the eco travel heading, responsible travel is not always related to the environment. In fact, what is “responsible” in one destination may even be completely inappropriate in another.

At its core, responsible travel relates to travel that respects the destination and its inhabitants. According to Lonely Planet, responsible travel “means assessing our impact on the environment and local cultures and economies – and acting to make that impact as positive as possible.”

responsible travel
Image: PIXistenz

Read More

Green Living Project Premieres Six New Films About Sustainable Africa

Published by Gabi Logan

Maasai self portrait
All photos by Jenny Erskbak, Associate Producer/Writer for GLP Films, courtesy of Green Living Project

Comprised of a group of dedicated storytellers who squeeze in six to nine films per hyper-focused trip, interviewing 10 to 14 people a day, the folks at the Green Living Project (GLP) seek to:

“educate and inspire individuals and communities to live a more sustainable lifestyle through stories focused on unique and diverse examples of sustainability from around the world.“

Before the GLP production team sets out, their education and research team painstakingly seeks out non-profits in the region to find out not only who is doing the most good, but also what organisations have the most inspiring tales.

Read More

Why 2012 Should Be My Annus Horribilis

Published by Linda McCormick

Wouldn’t it be fabulous if at the beginning of a new year everyone said, that was the best year, EVER!

It rarely happens, and although I got to the end of December thinking 2012 was pretty good… considering. It could definitely have been better! In fact, I’d say a few people may have enjoyed a nervous breakdown in the same circumstances, were they that way inclined.

This year, I learned I’m a bit of a strong bugger.

Read More

The How and Why of an Ecological Pee In The Woods

Published by Elspeth Misiaszek

I’ve been peeing in the woods for many, many years. Probably since I could walk, it’s been completely natural for me to sidle up to a bush, whip the old undies down and let it flow.

For the first time in my life, though, I got disgusted by something I saw while hiking. Hopefully my little story will help us all be more conscious of the ins and outs of how to have a widdle in the woods.

Image: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / RobSnowStock

Last summer, I headed to Shenandoah National Park for a few training hikes. White Oak Canyon is one of the more famous hikes inside the incredible Virginia national park.

Read More

Union Square Holiday Market in New York: A Surprisingly Ecofriendly Experience

Published by Gabi Logan

Lamps at holiday marketPhoto by Flickr user feministjulie

New York City’s Union Square is a popular destination for urban explorers, but between the almost daily green market (farmers’ market) and the now incredibly organic, fair-trade, every-other-ecofriendly-adjective-you-can-think-of Union Square Holiday Market, it may just be the greenest place in town.

Read More

trees of australia

Discovering Australia’s Great Ocean Road by Foot

Published by Natasha von Geldern

All images © Natasha von Geldern

The echidna scuffled in the undergrowth, digging its claws into the soil in alarm at our approach, spines bristling. We stood still for a minute and it eventually relaxed and carried on its way.

In so many countries I visit the best way to see the real landscape, the most beautiful wild places, is to get out of your car and walk. Not just a few hours but days, to get away from human habitation and interference with the environment. That is the best way to experience a great eco travel destination such as Australia.

Read More

27 Holiday Gifts for Your Favorite EcoTraveller

Published by Gabi Logan

christmas presents Photo by Flickr user Paparutzi

Have you been seeing all the usual eco-chic holiday gift guides making the rounds?

Recycled paper journals! Batik bangles hand-crafted by fairly-paid village women! Reusable aluminum water bottles that donate a portion of each purchase to sustainable development!

I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with these items, and especially not the noble idea of helping the environment and world community through the typically unsustainable consumer task of gift giving. But let’s make a new gift guide, shall we?

Read More

Ecolodges Take the Conde Nast Hot List by Storm

Published by Gabi Logan

Each year, Conde Nast Traveler publishes its annual hot list detailing the best of the best of the posh, sexy, and generally impressive new hotels around the world from the last year.

2012’s Hot List betrays an increasingly pervasive trend in luxury resorts: sustainability.

While Paris, New York, and London will always be chic, renewable energy, sustainably-sourced materials, and locally-produced decor have taken the high-end hotel scene by storm, adding fuel to the green is the new black fire.

This year, Conde Nast Traveler named nine full-fledged ecolodges to its 121-hotel hot list. Sure, it’s only 7%, but it’s a fantastic step in the right direction.

1. Sanctuary Zebra Plains, Zambia

Zebra plains
Image provided by Sanctuary Zebra Plains

Read More