To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a series of sustainable practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR(R) appliances and programmable thermostats.
The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated properties must also use green cleaning supplies and high efficiency air filters.
The hotel team at the Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens continues to be conscious of the waste stream as much as possible by purchasing recycled content office supplies and paper towels, using earth friendly cleaning products, and by donating linens. During the past year, all guestroom and corridor lighting was replaced with compact fluorescent lights for…
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Representatives from the National Park Service, Mayor Gavin Newsom’s office, NOAA and Save the Bay were among the 85 people to enjoy a breakfast gathering aboard the nation’s first known hybrid ferryboat. On Friday morning, December 12, at Pier 33 in San Francisco, Alcatraz Cruises, the National Park Service concessioner of ferry service to Alcatraz Island introduced the Hornblower Hybrid, a wind, solar and diesel powered hybrid vessel.
Alcatraz Cruises CEO Terry MacRae welcomed guests aboard and thanked many people for their support during the planning, design and construction of the vessel. He also noted that the innovation will continue as another hybrid vessel is being planed for San Francisco, as well as one the company’s New York-based Statue Cruises, the National Park Service concessioner of ferry service the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Brian O’Neill, Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Parks, welcomed guests aboard the Hybrid, saying, “Alcatraz Cruises has…
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The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, with guidance from its Natural Resources Advisory Group (NRAG), has selected 25 community-based projects throughout the state to receive funding in 2009 through its Natural Resources Program.
“Along with our host culture, Hawaii’s natural environment is an essential element of Hawaii’s tourism product,” said Lloyd Unebasami, HTA interim president and chief executive officer and chief administrative officer. “While marketing will continue to be an important focus for HTA in 2009, we will continue to support those strategic initiatives that strive to enhance and diversify Hawaii’s tourism product for our visitors and residents.”
The programs and projects selected address the goal and objectives identified in the Hawaii Tourism Strategic Plan: 2005-2015 (TSP) for the Natural Resources initiative. The objectives include: exploring innovative means to repair, maintain and improve Hawaii’s natural…
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Green Energy Summit has two objectives, amidst a vast array of highly complex issues. First, to bring to a single, public platform - stakeholders and decision-makers from policy, finance, manufacturing and trade. Second, to help catalyze solutions, initiatives and opportunities, so that Green Business, and therefore the necessary change we seek so desperately, can prosper.
“While the business opportunities in the future are enormous, we understand the need for businesses today to gain a foothold so that economically viable change can be more logical, active and urgent. To facilitate this, we will be bringing together those who are creating, propagating and establishing the systems and standards that are needed, so there can be a firm stimulus for action that goes far beyond the rhetoric, with practicable initiatives being addressed,” says Dilip Thomas Steering Committee Member/Program Chair & CEO of Saltmarch Media, the organizers of Green Energy Summit.
“Green Energy Summit is…
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Since G.A.P Adventures inception in 1990, the tour operator has pioneered a triple bottom approach of actively managing and reporting on all dimensions of company performance (social, environmental and economic) and weighing each of three equally in terms of importance.
They have since become the largest adventure tour operator in the world, while adhering to its own set of strict, sustainable credentials - offering authentic, cultural travel experiences in a low impact and sustainable manner.
The 2008 Green Tourism Award at BETA’s British Youth Travel Awards recognizes travel organizations that maximize their positive impact on the environment as well as the local communities’ infrastructure in which they operate. Candidates for the honor are required to demonstrate proven commitment to sustainable best practices.
G.A.P Adventures supports local communities throughout the world via its own non-profit foundation, Planeterra, which allows G.A.P. travelers to get involved with…
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When most people think of California State Parks, they envision tall redwood trees or long sandy beaches. They usually don’t think of dirt bikes or four-wheel drive vehicles. But these too can be found in State Parks. In fact, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division of California State Parks is widely recognized as a leader in off-highway vehicle recreation management. Exercising this leadership role, California State Parks approached Quantya, a leading electric motorcycle manufacturer, to partner with the OHMVR Division to promote electric off-highway vehicles.
In order to meet the state’s long-term renewable energy and climate change goals, the OHMVR Division supports the development of alternative fuel vehicles for the off-road industry. Recognizing the budding clean-tech boom in California, Quantya has been seeking a way to introduce their new eco-friendly motorcycle to the State. So, the two organizations decided to partner in furthering their mutual goals….
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Just in time for the holiday season, Travel Guard is offering useful tips to help make your travel safe and less stressful.
“In a typical week during the winter holiday season, we can often get 15,000 to 20,000 calls from anxious travelers,” said Dan McGinnity, Vice President of Travel Guard. “Most are looking for confirmation that their flights are on time; help to rebook flights that have been delayed or cancelled; and assistance in tracking down lost luggage. We also help travelers who lose their travel documents, have medical emergencies, or just want a reservation for that ‘hard to get into’ restaurant while traveling. Our job really is to make our customers travel as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.”
Travel Guard’s Holiday Travel Tips Include:
Ship Your Gifts. Travelers should not pack wrapped gifts or bring wrapped gifts to the security checkpoint at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may have to unwrap packages for security reasons….
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(Logic Jets) - The private jet charter sector, better known for its excesses, now has its own green startup. Logic Jets, a newly created jet charter service provider, will offset 100% of the pollution generated by its charter flights, without raising its prices. The company has partnered with Carbonfund.org, a leading provider of carbon offsets, to achieve this goal.
“Luxury and safety have always been our top priorities in this industry,” says Logic Jets founder, Luke Ferber, “But those should not be our only priorities. In today’s world, we need to take into consideration the environment and how we affect it. We plan to reduce our emissions to a minimum and offset what remains.” The luxury jet charter industry is well known for its inefficient use of fossil fuels. While commercial airlines usually fly at 80% capacity, private jet charters often times fly empty, creating excess pollution without providing service to passengers.
Ferber’s goal is to maintain competitive pricing and…
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Emirates worked closely with government agencies in Dubai, Russia, Iceland, Canada and the United States and other countries to plot what is appropriately hailed as the Emvironment flight, the most environmentally-sophisticated route and trip possible to help save an estimated range of approximately 2,000 gallons of fuel and 30,000 pounds of carbon emissions on the 16-hour direct service.
“After months of planning, Emirates’ Environment flight is a best-practice trial of how airlines, governments, manufacturers, technology providers and airports can work together to be as eco-efficient as possible,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
The inaugural green flight will demonstrate multiple fuel and emission-saving measures including:
The new 777-200LR will be specially washed beforehand to minimize drag.
The aircraft will use electrical power on the ground in Dubai rather than running its auxiliary power unit.
…
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(Sterling Vineyards) - “Sterling has long had a commitment to sustainable farming practices and a concern for preserving our unique Napa environment,” said Michael Westrick, Vice President of Winemaking for Sterling Vineyards. “The conversion of the memorable Sterling Tram to clean, renewable solar power just makes environmental and economic sense. This is another step in our overall commitment to increase our conservation efforts, whether through longstanding support of The Land Trust of Napa Valley, the launch of Sterling Vineyards Made with Organic Grapes or our membership in the global movement 1% For The Planet.”
There are 336 solar panels installed on the roof of the Sterling Vineyards Reserve Winery located at the bottom of the hill and throughout the winery grounds. These panels will generate enough energy to power nearly eight average homes and save 33 tons of greenhouse gasses annually or 821 tons over the course of 25 years. The system is equivalent to planting 11.3…
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