Hyatt hires "green" help

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts has taken a step forward in green initiative by implementing a new professional post: Vice President, Environmental Affairs. The first to take the helm, beginning immediately, is Brigitta Witt, who comes from GreenDimes, an eco-minded organization that works to reduce junk mail.

"Brigitta will play a vital role at Hyatt," said John Wallis, senior vice president of product and brand development. “As a company we are committed to protecting our natural environment, to the comfort and well-being of our guests and to respecting the communities in which we operate. Environmental sustainability will be at the core of everything that we do – from the design and construction of our hotels, to the products in our guest rooms, to the efficient use of natural resources."

What do you think? Does Hyatt appeal to you more knowing that it's commited to enhancing the environmental consciousness of its properties? What type of changes would you like to see Brigitta put into action?

Pictured above is the recently renovated, eco-friendly Hyatt Key West.

Biodiesel boating in San Diego

Last time I was in San Diego, I marveled at Alcatraz as it loomed in front of our bobbing ferry boat. A beautiful and awing sight... one that shouldn't be missed because of foul fuel worries.

Luckily, Hornblower Cruises & Events (who operates in the Port of San Diego), has made the switch to domestically produced biodiesel. In collaboration with New Leaf Biofuels and General Petroleum, Hornblower can now guide its (up to) 230-foot vessels while helping to keep the Pacific clean. Whether you want to whale watch or cruise the harbor while enjoying brunch, you can now do it without the un-appetizing fumes (or negative environmental impact) of conventional fuels.

"Converting to biodiesel is an important step in ... reduc[ing] our carbon footprint," says Hornblower's Charles Assimakopoulos.

More green on the Worldwide Web

Mexico's Eco-Parks (USA Today)

Are Cruise Ships Floating Eco Bombs? (Green Daily)

Fuzzy Math on Carbon Footprints (USA Today)

San Francisco Bans Trans Fats (The Green Daily)

Can Darwin's Lab Survive Success? - Galapagos Islands (New York Times)

Seeing sea turtles

Recently, the Ocean Conservancy organization launched an eco-initiative dubbed SEE Turtles, designed to boost environmentally conscious turtle tours in Baja, California; Costa Rica nad Trinidad. Interested travelers can log onto the site to receive relevant info from OC partners, who ensure "an exceptional vacation with a variety of turtle [and other] attractions in exotic settings."

Along the Baja Cali peninsula, five species of sea turtle exist, providing feeding grounds for turtles from as far as Japan and Indonesia. The numbers of turtles here are growing, having been reduced by turtle meat consumption and accidental catchings in fishing net.

In Costa Rica, where the Osa Peninsula is said to be "the most biologically intense place on earth," four turtle species utilize dozens of nesting beaches.

One of the world's most important nesting locations for leatherbacks, Trinidad is the closest you'll find to a guaranteed turtle nesting hot spot.

A rare travel treat

January in Detroit is cold. And gray. Quite frankly, it's not too uplifting of a season for us wandering folks who aren't wandering. So, when I arrived home after a late industry dinner the other night, I was more than pleased to see a lovely package near my mailbox. Considering the fact that the jaunt from garage to mailbox is often icy and my high heels are cruelly unpredictable, it takes a gleaming ray of hope to spark my interest.

Inside, I found a treat. A new vegan, organic skincare company called Rare2B has hit the market. Boasting a line of four products - Body Lotion, Hydrating Day Cream, Restorative Night Cream and Detox Face Mask - the family-owned company is currently releasing its eco-certified goods to the public via www.rarenaturals.com. What immediately caught my eye was the Rare2B Travel Kit. Housed in a recycled paper package, the $50 kit is a delicious sampling of 1 oz. natural products. Exuding a scent that's uniquely fresh, each product glides on skin easily and the results (as tested on my parched, winter skin) were immediate.

It may cost a pretty penny, but Rare2B offers skincare products that uphold the highest envirnonmental standards, not discluding an all-natural, 100 percent botanical and non-gmo philosophy. For globetrotters who lust for supple skin, it's definitely worth a peek.

More green on the Worldwide Web

The eco traveler's guide to Barcelona (Plenty)

The greening of Levittown (Green Guide)

Climate Tourism: Does it create awareness? (Tree Hugger)

Yosemite in winter: The splendor without the crowds (Sunset)

Traveling with a Lotta stuff?

If you asked me to say it five times fast, well, I probably couldn't. It's Lotta Jansdotter's "Myck" Messenger Bag ($72 here). What I can say is that it's a super savvy travel tote with a nice thick strap for lugging 'round airports that leaves loads of space for passports, snacks, an aluminum water bottle and the latest Plenty.

What makes it worthy of Green Globetrotter? Besides being lovely, the bag features hand-drawn designs by Lotta, printed on 100 percent natural cotton.

Find it at Greener Grass Design.

Luxe touring goes green

Bears, balugas and birds await eager audiences on the shores of Hudson Bay, thanks to a new set of earth conscious, luxe tours from regarded tourer Horizon & Co. and partner, WWF-Canada. Created for adventurous families, the new tour choices, dubbed Wildlife & Wilderness, take a strategic approach to sustainable travel.

Offering destinations like Galapagos, Peru, India and the Arctic - their tours are as diverse as earth allows.

Says Norman Howe, Owner & Creative Director of Wildlife & Wilderness, "The combination of WWF site visits, extraordinary landscapes, magnificent wildlife, sophisticated travel choices and impassioned conservation workers combines to create an experience deeper and more meaningful than you could ever imagine. These trips are intimate small group tours designed for conservation-oriented travellers who seek to combine the wonders of nature, in the company of world-class experts, with the comforts and convenience of high-end travel."

Flights, of course, are encouraged to be offset by carbon credits. Climate Friendly provides the option on the linked website.

Where rustic meets eco-chic

Sometimes, sprawling resorts and bustling hotels seem like the last place to lend themselves to rest and relaxation. When some serious R&R is needed, why not check out something smaller?

One new boutique hotel has just joined the pack. Boca de Iguanas, a 12-room escape on Mexico's Costalegre, blends the best of both worlds in a beautiful, beach setting. Plush, luxurious amenities (think plasma televisions) are scattered throughout, but reminders of Mother Nature are everywhere: handcarved tree trunk tables, baskets woven from coconut palm husks, and all natural soaps and shampoos.

If the above amenities don't dazzle you, the onsite organic fruit and vegetable garden surely will. The garden provides much of the harvest served at Dos Higueras restaurant – flavored with selections from the community herb garden – which boasts an array of healthy choices based upon a low calorie spa menu.

Rates start at $240 per night and include a hot, made-to-order breakfast and daily happy hour cocktails. Read more on the property's ecology standards here. For reservations, click here.

The new Blue Marble Spa

Named for "The Blue Marble" photograph - that iconic snapshot of Earth taken from spaceship Apollo 17 - the Hyatt's newest spa is saying a lot about the world we live in.

Hyatt's first eco-friendly spa, located in the San Diego Mission Bay, was created to dispense the myth that conservation can’t go hand in hand with luxury. Incorporating a range of conservation principles, including the use of energy efficient light bulbs, floors of sustainable bamboo, low-flow shower heads, and actively encouraging and showcasing recycling efforts, Blue Marble attempts to connect guests to the idea that little changes can create a big impact on the Earth, while restoring and cultivating our own person health, beauty, and wellness.

Spa treatments are administered using organic and natural skincare products, while organic fruits and food options are offered to guests. The spa also uses minimal hot water – and even linens are dyed using eco-friendly processes.

When it comes to advertising, Blue Marble uses only recycled paper. Additional items of note include the use of eco-friendly cleaning products, a treatment menu in digital format, and eco-friendly literature for reading and further education.

“We’re all connected,” says Blue Marble Spa Director Kyra Johnson. “By educating people on how to care for themselves and the planet, we can reach new heights of wellness and connectivity and see beauty more clearly within us and all around us.”

Getaway for a good cause

Here's an idea for eco travelers interested in doing good for the environment and their fellow humans; from a company called ...For a Cause, a charitable walking or cycling event - overseas!

The average registration fee for participation in one of these not-for-profit tours is $1,200, allowing 100 percent of donations raised to go directly to beneficiaries, 50 percent to either the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation or the Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization, and the other 50 percent to an organization of your choice.

2008 opportunities include:

Ireland, June 29 - July 5, 2008
Galway and the rugged west coast of Ireland is the backdrop for this exciting event. Participants will gather at Ross Castle, which will serve as "base camp" for the week. Riders and walkers will make circular trips to and from the castle each day, visiting different parts of the area.

Italy, September 7 - 13, 2008
The Marche region of Italy, often referred to as the "Smart Man's Tuscany" for its equaled beauty and cheaper prices, will serve as the backdrop for this exciting walk. Walkers will gather in San Severino, where the walk will begin, and end in Tolentino. During the week, they will walk more than 60 miles, with the longest day being 18 miles and reaching an elevation of 3,000 feet. Walkers will stay in small family-run inns and eat home-cooked meals and fresh pastas.

Spain, September 14 - 20, 2008 (Pictured above)
"Base camp," a Catalunian Castle is set in the Northeast region of Spain, just south of the French border, and once was visited by Queen Juana Enriquez and her son Fernando. (He later would become Fernando the Catholic, who subsequently would marry Isabel and together they would sponsor the voyage made by Christopher Columbus to discover America.) Riders and walkers will explore this fascinating area, visiting small towns and the seashore. Riders will have their first century (100-mile) ride when they cycle into France in midweek.

Don't zoom without Zum

Created with their “not so secret” ingredients: goats milk, glycerin, soy wax, shea butter, and essential oils, Indigo Wild's Zum Body all-natural body products are great for on the road - or at home. Zipped in a perfectly packable clear case, the Zum Bag offers miniatures of the brand’s popular body oil, lotions, lip balm, soaps and skin-conditioning rub, all of which smell delightfully delectable. I'm on my second case now, used for all my travels and just the right size for TSA carry-on rules... and have dutifully stocked up on the all-natural Tangerine lip balm... soon to become an all-time favorite. ($15) Find it here.

Flying high... on biofuel

Here's a Valentine's gift to all... Virgin Atlantic, one of the world's leading long-haul airlines, recently announced that in February, they'll fly one of their Boeing 747s on biofuel during a demonstration flight.

"It will be the first time that a commercial aircraft has run biofuel in-flight and is part of a major initiative among some airlines and Boeing to discover sources of sustainable aircraft fuel for the future," says Virgin Atlantic.

For its demo, the 747 will fly from the world's busiest airport, London Heathrow, to Amsterdam using the noted biofuel - which doesn't compete with food and fresh water resources. Of course, no passengers will be on board. The flight, in conjunction with Boeing and engine maker GE Aviation, is part of Virgin Atlantic's drive to reduce its environmental impact wherever possible. The demonstration forms part of Virgin Atlantic's vision for what the aviation industry can achieve by using clean-fuel technology to reduce carbon emissions.

Says Sir Richard Branson, the widely-known entreprenuer and President of Virgin Atlantic, "This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected. The demonstration flight next month will give us crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint. Virgin Group pledged to invest all its profits from its transportation companies towards developing clean energy and with this breakthrough we are well down the path to achieving our goals." More on Virgin Atlantic's Sustainability Challenge here.

An inspired travel guide

There’s something strangely comforting about the fresh paper smell exuded when you fan through the pages of a new book. Lonely Planet’s Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime is no exception. In fact, I think that its 100 percent recycled paper pages (printed with non-GMO soy-based inks, of course) add a bit of extra exhilaration for the average book lover.

Chock-full of the juiciest green travel tid-bits, this paperback doubles as a work of photographic art and is definitely coffee table worthy. With sections titled Namibia – Kalahari Desert: Learning How Not to Starve in the Sand and USA – Bluff: Low-Impact Camping Among Anasanzi Ruins, there’s useful advice for the traveler in each of us, even the dreamers.

Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime by Kerrie Lorimer ($20) Lonely Planet.

Find it @ www.lonelyplanet.com.

Kimpton Hotels strive to go green

In town for a night of Diego Dogs and baseball with the San Diego Padres, I checked into the chic Hotel Solamar, a Kimpton Hotel smack in the center of this laid-back South California city's Gaslamp District. Catering to the hip and young-at-heart, the hotel featured luxe, modern rooms; but what truly blew me away were Solamar’s (and Kimpton’s) environmental policies, the first that I’d seen displayed so prominently.

Sitting beside my trash can was an in-room "designer" recycling bin. (Really… how many times have you guiltily thrown your paper into a hotel room trash?) Towel and linen change cards were also nearby to notify housekeeping whether fresh sheets and towels were needed, instead of being automatically freshened. The honor bar was stacked with organic snacks and drinks, and on hand was a note that listed Kimpton EarthCare’s efforts, including:

• All rooms cleaned with environmentally friendly cleaning products


• All property wide printing done on recycled paper, with corporate paperwork using only soy-based inks


• Complimentary lobby coffee is organic, shade grown and/or fair trade


• Low flow systems for faucets, toilets and showers


• Organic flowers decorating the lobby areas


• Instead of being thrown away, unused amenity bottles are donated and used by local charities

Guests can shop Kimpton Style for eco-friendly products (featured in the hotels) like organic sheets and recycled glassware.

And now, the rebuttal...

Now, to compensate for all of this madding car talk, a link to a terrific Green Guide article by Emily Main on the idea of 'slow travel'.

Also, a link to Alan Durning's 2006 series (an oldie, but a goodie) on car-less living in Seattle. A captivating concept indeed, and a definite perk when considering walkable or bikeable communities.

Look at that. A gal from the Motor City who's not even a little bias.

The future of green cars

Member of Detroit 3 Chrysler has gotten greener with the reveal of three electric vehicle concepts: Jeep Renegade (as pictured above, if you couldn't tell from that burly, seven-slot grille), Chrysler ecoVoyager and Dodge Zeo (stands for Zero Emissions Operation).

While these rides are as cool looking as ever and promise to deliver loads of eco satisfaction, their estimated production date is so far in the future they're not quite worth going into details. For a more complete low-down, you can click here to read the Auto Channel's roundup.

Saturn's new hybrid people-hauler

Yesterday, Saturn unveiled three new hybrids at the Detroit Auto Show worthy of acting as your next roadtrip necessity, the Vue Two Mode Hybrid (pictured above), Vue Greenline Plug-in Hybrid and the Flextreme concept car. What you'll see soonest is the new Vue 2-Mode. Boasting 50 percent better fuel economy than the gasoline-powered Vue (with V6), 2-Mode can carry eager travelers up to 500 miles on a single tank. Cali, anyone?

Production on the vehicle will begin late this year for a 2009 model launch. The Greenline will also carry the 2-Mode system and is in the works for production by 2010. The Flextreme, which promises drivers "34 miles of all-electric propulsion and zero fuel emissions" according to Automotive News, has no production plans as of yet.

Spaaaaaahs gone green

Now, a break from the world of car travel for something a bit more relaxing than battling the roads...

Just recently, the 2008 Spa Trend Watch was released by the International Spa Association. I quickly scoured the highlights, certain that the sustainability trend would be mentioned. After all, spas are devoted to personal health - and what's more personal than the world we live in?

Sure enough, the trend watch touched upon all that's green.

"As 76 percent of U.S. spas apply environmentally sustainable practices, the spa community's commitment to the environment is not a passing phase. On-site organic gardens; products made from locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants; mineral makeup; and green building tactics are just a few of the ways that spa professionals are showing their commitment to the earth."

If that's not the convincing you needed to schedule your next spa retreat, go ahead and visit the Spas of America website for a look at some delectable spa offerings close to home.

Truckin' energy

Most people don't think of fuel effeciency when standing nose to grille with the Dodge Ram 1500. Or, well, at least I don't. The folks at Chrysler, however, are adament that we'll be changing our minds come 2010. That's when the automaker's two-mode HEMI hybrid engine will join this pretty truck's lineup alongside the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango. And that's when boaters of all kinds will heave a sigh of relief... a potential problem-solver to hauling your watercraft from lake to lake via gas-guzzling SUVs and pickups. Same goes for snowmobilers.

The engine will meet 50 state emissions standards, and will deliver a 30-percent fuel economy improvement while providing all of the fuel-saving benefits of a full- hybrid system, including electric-only operation. The result is a significant reduction in fuel consumption in heavy stop-and-go traffic.

For full details, check out the full release here.

Toyota looks forward

Maker of the adored Prius isn't making an eco splash in Detroit this year. For now, Toyota is concentrating on long-term environmental goals, according to president Katsuaki Watanabe.

What will the future see for this Japanese automaker? A new clean diesel V8 engine for both the Tundra and Sequoia trucks in the "near future", a global hybrid plug-in (powered by lithium-ion battery) and two all-new dedicated hybrids (one Toyota, one sister brand, Lexus) at next year's Detroit auto show.

A believer in Toyota's environmental agenda, I'll settle in and wait for next year's big hoopla without too much protest. Better late than never, I suppose, but many validly point out that time is running short...

Click here for Toyota's press release.

Land Rover's hybrid concept: LRX

Yesterday, luxury automaker Land Rover debuted its latest concept, the LRX hybrid. The three-door, cross-coupe is the company's first example of a more compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies, clearly addressing the needs of a changing world. Ont op of that, it offers the potential of 120 g/km CO2 emissions.

LRX is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbodiesel engine, capable of running on bio-diesel. In combination with other LR technologies, this powertrain could reduce fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent compared with other SUVs of comparable size, as well as reduce emissions.

The LRX concept delivers the powerful message that we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles," says Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director. "LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it's a very different Land Rover. At this stage, LRX is purely a concept, designed to help us develop our thinking as well as gauge customer reaction - but this feels like a hugely exciting direction to take."

The vehicle goes eco inside too, with vegetable-tanned leather (chromium-free, better for recycling), extensive use of aluminum, and carpeting made of felt from sustainable sources. And the vanilla-colored 'fine suede' on door inserts and headliner is a 100 percent recycled material made from used plastic bottles.

Click here to read the company's press release on LRX.

Hybrid hype in Detroit

Here in the Motor City we scoff at dipping temperatures to happily partake in the sizzling excitement of the year's biggest event - the North American International Auto Show. And this year, there's even more reason to bundle up and heading downtown. It seems that in the wake of rising CAFE standards and the cool factor of all things eco, the auto show has adopted the slogan, "Go green or go home," peddling various plug-in hybrids, diesel engines and promising electric concept cars.

As an auto show press veteran, I can't help but closely follow the dazzling unveilings. I'll be updating on all things green as the show progresses. After all, the only thing better than an old-fashioned road trip is one in a fuel-effecient ride. Stay tuned.

It's a green world out there...

Green. These days, it's a way of living. But for those of us addicted to travel, "green" poses a nasty dilemma: How does a globetrotter roam without the aid of carbon-releasing transit (i.e. planes, trains and autos)? Well, er... we haven't come up with that solution yet. I mean, I can't exactly hike to Mount Everest from Detroit.

No worries. There are ways to compensate. In fact, the travel industry is quickly gaining speed by constantly popping out additional options for the eco-conscious among us. That said, this isn't the place to criticize or downplay any conscious attempt to make travel eco-smarter. I'm simply here to point out the good that's going on, and let you all judge for yourself.

I hope that in these posts you'll find thought-provoking ideas, sound advice, cool suggestions and most importantly, an ease in planning more eco-friendly journeys.

Lookin' for a bit of inspiration? Bookmark this page. You might just find that the grass is indeed greener on the other side.

Safe travels!

- J

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