Posts Tagged ‘sustainability’

A Greener Vancouver 2010 Olympics?

February 12th, 2010
TourismBCVancouverSkyline244949 2 681x1023 A Greener Vancouver 2010 Olympics?
Image courtesy of Tourism British Columbia

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Winter Games are being reported as one of the greenest Olympics.

Although the 2010 Olympic Games officially start today, organizers say there have been seven years of sustainability efforts.  Some green results include a carbon neutral Organizing Committee, torch relay and athletes and 62 Games-related sustainability innovations .

Recently, the Vancouver 2010 Sustainability Report was released by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).  The report examines VANOC’s performance on environmental, social and economic bid commitments and early sustainable legacies.

Says John Furlong, VANOC CEO:

“By making sustainability central to everything we do, and in collaboration with our partners, sponsors and community organizations, we have forged a new level of sustainability performance for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This report addresses each of our sustainability commitments, our short- and long-term goals and what we’ve done to meet them.”

» Read more: A Greener Vancouver 2010 Olympics?

How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

February 5th, 2010

VancouverAquariumOceanWiseviewer How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

Will you be traveling to Vancouver, British Columbia for the 2010 Olympics or on vacation?   If so, when you’re dining out, ask about Ocean Wise, a leading Canadian sustainable seafood program.

Founded by the Vancouver Aquarium in January 2005, the program gives consumers and travelers information on making smart seafood choices.

The Ocean Wise logo on a restaurant menu, deli-counter or seafood product has become a  symbol of ocean-friendly seafood choices.  Whether you’re buying canned tuna at the supermarket or spicy tuna rolls at a sushi restaurant, look for the symbol on a restaurant menu, display case or product.

In 2009, Ocean Wise went national in Canada from coast to coast with partners from Halifax, NS to Victoria, BC.  Today, Ocean Wise works with 300 partners from the restaurant, supplier and retail sectors at 2700+ locations.

Says Ocean Wise:

“Overfishing is the number one problem facing the world’s oceans. Ocean Wise addresses this critical issue by promoting sustainable fishery practices to prevent habitat destruction and enable species to thrive at optimum population numbers. The program enables Canadians to make environmentally-friendly seafood choices.”

Here are the BC locations where you’ll Ocean Wise:

» Read more: How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

Cycling Cairo to Cape Town

January 26th, 2010

TourAfriqueSunGathering at the start

Fancy cycling across Africa?   Then you might want to check out small, socially responsible bike tour company Tour d’Afrique.

The Toronto-based, bike tour company is named for its annual flagship tour that crosses the African continent from Cairo to Cape Town (7,500 miles in 120 days).

» Read more: Cycling Cairo to Cape Town

Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad

January 18th, 2010
VANOCcityandcolour photo 32original dy 3 682x1024 Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad

© VANOC/COVAN

Will the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games be one of the greenest games on record?  In coming weeks, travelinggreener will look at sustainability at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

This week, the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad will launch in Canada, leading up to the February event and run through March during the Paralympic Winter Games.

Says Burke Taylor, vice president of culture and celebrations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC):

“We want all Canadians to feel they can share in the cultural celebrations surrounding the 2010 Winter Games in their own hometowns.  For our second and final Cultural Olympiad National Presentation and Touring Program, we’ve worked closely with our corporate, government and artistic partners to create an exciting lineup of Canadian projects that include ballet, theatre, up-and-coming musicians, and even puppetry. We invite everyone to come out when they stop in your area and enjoy a taste of the cultural excitement of the Games.”

» Read more: Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad

The World’s Most Sustainable Hotel?

January 6th, 2010

HotelSoStandardDoubleRoom137063 2 1024x659 The Worlds Most Sustainable Hotel?

Planning a trip to New Zealand?  If you’re going to Christchurch, take a look at cool, new eco-friendly Hotel SO.  The hotel is striving to become the “world’s most sustainable hotel” with green initiatives like its free electric car charging for guests and upcoming roof wind turbines.

Says Steven Dixon, hotel spokesperson:

“The electric car market is small now, but it will boom, and we like to be ahead of the curve. More importantly, it fits with our eco-friendly and progressive vision. This is just part of a number of initiatives aimed at being the most sustainable hotel in the world something we feel comfortable claiming as the energy consumed per room is dramatically lower than any comparable product.”

Guests at Hotel SO who are driving electric cars can park at the back of the hotel and plug their vehicle in for free overnight.  Staff also use a suite of “micro” electric cars for driving around the city and running errands.trans The Worlds Most Sustainable Hotel?

» Read more: The World’s Most Sustainable Hotel?

10 Copenhagen Blogs You’ll Love

December 8th, 2009
DanishCyclingEmbassyriding bikes to school1 10 Copenhagen Blogs Youll Love

Image courtesy of Cycling Embassy of Denmark

The COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 continues until December 18.   You can check out  COP15  on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Google and sites dedicated to COP15.

traveling greener thought we would again honor Copenhagen, the conference host city.

Here are 10 Copenhagen sites (we and) you’ll love:

1. Green Copenhagen

2. Copenhagen Cycle Chic

3. Copenhagenize

4. Spotted by Locals

5. Copenhagen X

6. CopenhagenStreetStyle

7. Sustainable Cities

8. Eyes Wide Open

9. Expat Copenhagen

10. Copenhagen Daily Photo

Voluntourism Opening Eyes

October 20th, 2009

PlanterraGiftOfSightProject Tibet-1

Global non-profit Planeterra Foundation is known for its voluntourism and sustainable community development through travel.

In one program, donors and tour participants contribute to Planeterra-funded eye camps in remote Tibetan villages.  These camps have restored the sight of hundreds of Tibetans and provided eye care to hundreds more.

Last month, the 2009 eye camp in Chabcha resulted in 86 successful sight restoration surgeries. A $50 donation will give Tibetan patients the ability to see the world around them and change their lives.

Says Richard Edwards, Planeterra director:

“Tibet has one of the highest rates of blindness in the world. Most of this blindness is due to cataracts, a disease associated with aging but also prevalent among children and the working class. Many are unable to reach a hospital because of poverty and lack of transportation. With scattered populations spread across great distances, surgical eye camps are the most efficient way to treat the high rate of disease.”

For more info on its voluntour programs, check out Planeterra online.
Image courtesy of Planeterra Foundation