Traveler's Know How

Travel Green

Of all the planets in our solar system, Earth is the Garden of Eden, yours to enjoy, value, and protect. For decades, "recycling" has been a household word for protecting Earth's environment. Today it's all about "going green," designed to ensure Earth's sustainable future.

Many activities, including travel, create "carbon footprints," i.e. greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. For example, the average airline flight in the U.S. releases more than 1,700 pounds of greenhouse gases per person into the atmosphere. However, regardless of whether you travel by air, sea, or land, you can help reduce greenhouse gases by traveling green with netTrav.

Green or "eco" travel offers many ways to do your part, and you won't need to lower your quality of life on the road. Even the smallest change in your usual travel habits can be an important contribution. With more than a billion people traveling annually, even the slightest tilt toward green travel will make a big difference.

How To Go Green

Four small steps for leaving a smaller carbon footprint

Book with netTrav. We donate 2% of your netTrav travel purchase to sustainable development programs that are dedicated to sustaining Earth's environment. They include reforestation, because trees consume carbon dioxide and create more oxygen.

Stay with Green Lodging Providers. From luxury hotels to intimate B&Bs, they span the globe. What to look for: environmentally friendly practices such as energy efficiency, water conservation, fresh air ventilation (wheee... windows that open!), recycling, sheet-and-towel re-use programs (just don't have them changed every day), and so on. And turn out the lights when you leave the room!

Rent Fuel-Efficient Vehicles. Since fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide, it makes sense to do your part when choosing rental cars. Here you have three options: (1) hybrids, (2) vehicles that run on alternative fuel sources such as biofuel, and (3) cars that are highly gasoline-efficient.