Rescue efforts in Yushu were complicated by the high altitude—4,000 meters—and cold weather.

In the two years since, a local non-profit organization – the Tibetan Village Project (TVP) – has managed multiple projects to help Tibetans in Yushu recover and rebuild after the region’s vast devastation.

The Tibetan Village Project is a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tibet. TVP’s projects largely consist of small-scale initiatives that work directly with Tibetan villagers and with local government through project-coordinators chosen from each village who know the local situation, understand the culture, and speak the language.

In collaboration with the Yushu Earthquake Response (YER), a temporary coalition of local NGOs, TVP was able to distribute basic supplies (food, water, and clothing) and winterized tents to 300 families. TVP raised over $200,000 toward this effort.

After the immediate needs of Yushu’s earthquake-affected families were met, TVP shifted its focus toward rebuilding the business community by providing skills and business management training and offering seed money to develop businesses.

On April 14, 2010, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Yushu, an ethnically Tibetan area of China’s western Qinghai Province. According to Xinhua news, 2,698 people were killed and more than 12,000 injured.

In August 2010, TVP provided storefront tents to 45 Tibetan business owners in downtown Yushu to help them restart businesses or improve or expand existing ones.

The following September, development-NGO Machik donated $26,897 to TVP’s collaboration with a Yushu-based NGO to provide loans to 7 businesses in Yushu, including restaurants, a shower house, repair shops and transportation services.

TVP provided 10 Tibetan business owners and social workers with a week of business management training. They learned how to identify business opportunities, prepare a business plan, and build an effective team. After trainees returned to Yushu, they continued their relief work by helping to identify Tibetan business owners in need of assistance.

In March 2011, having successfully raised $10,000, TVP provided loans to 2 businesses: a clothing shop and a business support service that employs local Tibetans and plays an important role in rebuilding Yushu communities.

In July 2011, with the help of several donors who contributed $8000 toward building a tailor shop and purchasing sewing machines, TVP initiated an income generation project at a senior care facility for about 80 elders in Yushu. TVP continues to support this program and has hired a part-time staff member for the center.

For more information, visit http://www.tibetanvillageproject.org.

The initiative focuses on the London tourism industry and key sponsors of the Olympic Games that may be at a higher risk for on-premise child and labor trafficking and that have the potential to help raise public awareness of these crimes.

On March 5, 2012, a coalition of 37 U.S.- and U.K.-based socially responsible investors representing $58 billion in assets under management, children’s rights- and investor-focused organizations sent letters to 32 companies, calling for immediate and transparent actions to train staff and suppliers to recognize and avoid the trafficking of workers into slavery, to monitor their supply chains, and to examine hiring and recruitment practices.

The coalition includes members of Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR), and U.S. SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, FairPensions, Rene´ Cassin, The Code, and ECPAT-USA.

“While we anticipate inspiring examples of athleticism at The Olympic Games, that same dedication will be needed by Olympic sponsors andLondonarea hotels to ensure that trafficking and slavery is eradicated within their spheres of influence. With the eyes of the world trained on the Olympic Games, these companies are well-positioned to take steps to prevent it. With the help of our allies in theU.K., our initiative can help focus attention on this global problem,” said Julie Tanner, Assistant Director of Socially Responsible Investing at CBIS.

Companies in the tourism sector that acknowledged the coalition’s letter include: Accor, Best Western, British Airways, Choice Hotels, Carlson, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotel Group, Starwood, Thomas Cook, and Whitbread. Olympic sponsors that acknowledged the letter include: Adidas, ArcelorMittal, BMW, Coca-Cola, John Lewis, Kraft Foods, McDonald’s, Next, Procter & Gamble, Rio Tinto, Sainsbury’s and Samsung. Non-responding companies will be noted in a future press release with general trend analysis of the responses.

“We are very heartened that the vast majority of companies that received the letter will be taking action. Companies that already have formal anti-trafficking programs in place are showing genuine leadership, including conducting training sessions for staff and for suppliers, to make sure human trafficking will not be a blight on this summer’s games and to help end this practice once and for all,” said Lee Coates, Chair of The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility.

To impact future Olympics, select members of the coalition sent a letter urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to require that all Olympic corporate sponsors, suppliers, contractors and host cities take concrete steps to eliminate commercial sexual exploitation of children and labor trafficking.

“We expect the IOC going forward to incorporate clear guidelines on trafficking and slavery that include public reporting of results. Our request is in line with the IOC’s Charter that includes support for environmental issues and sustainable development and with the requests made in our letters to companies,” said Rev. David Schilling, director of Human Rights,InterfaithCenter on Corporate Responsibility.

This initiative comes against the backdrop of a private member’s bill introduced in the UK House of Commons in February by Fiona MacTaggart, Member of Parliament forSlough. The bill modeled on The California Transparency in Supply Chains Law would require retailers and manufactures in theUKto disclose the steps they are taking to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their direct supply chains.

“The coalition’s Olympic campaign demonstrates investor support for adequate corporate disclosures of policies on the identification and eradication of human trafficking and modern day slavery from business operations. We hope to see more investors work with the coalition to engageUKcompanies on this important human rights and reputation issue both in the run-up to and after the Olympic games.” said Louise Rouse, Director of Engagement at FairPensions.

To involve the public, the coalition has launched a Celebration Without Exploitation website that includes links to fact sheets, anti-trafficking materials to download and bring to hotels, and letter-writing campaigns to join, as well as tools for investors and companies that are working to end these egregious human rights abuses.

For more information about Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS), please contact Rachael Fisher-Layne of JCPR, at 00 1 973-850-7318 or rfisher-layne@jcprinc.com; or go to http://www.cbisonline.com/.

The seemingly arbitrary benchmark is play on numbers, so to speak, of the amount of money that roughly 1.4 billion people around the world are able to spend on food each day.

“The intention is to increase awareness that will drive action to support poverty,” said Michael Trainer, U.S. country director for the Global Poverty Project, in an interview with Mashable.com.

Globally, food and water shortages – especially with the increased threat of climate change – are becoming more and more prevalent, as they are progressively moving (or growing, rather) from third world countries and into more developed regions across the globe.

Live Below The Line

As it stands, far greater populations are being forced to adapt to severe food, water, money and other crucial resource shortages than ever before.

Given the realities, it is quite a challenge for anyone – especially those considered by much of the world to be far more “privileged” – to even consider living a single day this way, let alone five.

The campaign – as a means to make people realize the potential of community while calling attention to the problem at hand – offers suggestions and tips on a variety of foods and meals that all fit within the $1.50 budget while actively encouraging the utilization of a more “communal effort”.

Participants are also encouraged to host meal time get-togethers with friends and other participants using a price model of only $.50 per guest.

“We’re trying to make this incorporate online activism with an offline experience,” Trainer continued. “The engineering of this is intended to be social – pooling your resources and sharing your experiences – you can afford more food if you join together with friends.”

What do you think…do you have what it takes to eat/live on only $1.50 per day?

Most often, victims of trafficking are enslaved for sexual purposes, though they might also be found in kitchens or cleaning guesthouses, restaurants and bars as well as intricate in black market dealings (organs, drugs, etc.).

As such, the United Nations has officially pledged to fight sexual exploitation and human trafficking – specifically, child trafficking – in tourism via a joint effort between the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The two organizations have mutually signed a memorandum of understanding to step up cooperation against this form of exploitation.

“Today, our two organizations are conveying a strong message to the world that we will not be party to activities that exploit women and children,” said Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the UNODC.

“We are here,” said Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, “to reiterate the tourism sector’s commitment to combating human trafficking, an unacceptable affront to human rights and dignity, and to set out clear steps for stronger cooperation in fighting one of the most dreadful crimes of our time.”

With such large and quite literally “global” reach, the tourism sector can and should play a vital role in preventing human trafficking linked to tourism, including sexual exploitation.

In India, for example, the Ministry of Tourism, UNODC, the private sector and Save the Children have jointly developed and adopted a national Code of Conduct for Safe and Honourable Tourism, based on the Global Code.

Hoteliers and tour operators have pledged to abide by the Code to make sure that no one involved in the hospitality industry is forced to use drugs or is sexually exploited. The model is ready to be replicated in other countries.

Hotel companies are carrying out awareness campaigns and providing vocational training for trafficked persons. Marriott International, for instance, has taken a comprehensive approach since 2006 to such human rights abuses through policy commitments and staff training.

Marriott also runs community outreach programs that help vulnerable young people, including rehabilitated victims of human trafficking – providing them with new life opportunities and training skills at their hotels.

By enhancing their public image, ethical companies and destinations can ultimately benefit from more business.

“We must raise awareness of human trafficking in the tourism sector,” said Fedotov. “Consumers should be able to make an informed choice about where they choose to spend their money- and crucially, how it will be used.”

“It is appalling to see tourism infrastructure being used by traffickers to victimize the vulnerable, yet our sector is firmly committed to reclaim this same infrastructure and use it for awareness raising in the fight against trafficking,” added Rifai.

Having just announced the release of its new Destination Criteria, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council – via a consultancy led by Sustainable Travel International (STI) – is actively looking for input and comments from travel and tourism stakeholders around the world.

The Destination Criteria are a set of guiding principles and performance indicators designed to lead destination managers, communities, and businesses on a path to sustainability: maximizing social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits while minimizing negative impacts.

As such, they complement the existing GSTC Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, which have become a worldwide standard for tourism sustainability.

“While many destinations have been impacted by unsustainable development in the past, more and more destinations are now realizing the importance of sustainable tourism and are seeking outside support and guidelines to help set them on the right path,” says Erika Harms, Executive Director of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

“The GSTC’s Destination Criteria outline 45 specific actions that a destination can take to choose a different future—to make their cultural and natural attractions a source of delight for visitors, and a source of employment for locals, for many generations to come.”

Interested parties can click here to comment or suggest improvements to the Destination Criteria. The survey is currently available in English, French, Spanish, and Mandarin.

“We believe these efforts to more clearly define sustainability at the destination level are critical, and will lead to even better tools for destinations looking to implement sustainability policy, strategies, and management systems,” added STI’s Founder and CEO Brian Mullis.

“Keeping in mind that destinations are unique, we encourage as much participation in this global call for feedback as possible. This will help us consider the diverse needs of all stakeholders who can benefit from this project’s outcomes.”

Think back to a time when you have left your saddle bag open and the contents distributes itself over fifteen miles, or when you have forgotten to zip up your jacket before you step out onto the summit forgetting about the wicked wind that will whip it off your back. The often genius devices that sent the loop and toggle system packing to the fashion duffle sector are critical to the success of the finished adventure sports product.

So tell me this, if they are that critical to the product, surely they should have their place in the line for the eco makeover that so much gear is going through right now?

After all, 100% should mean 100% right? Manufacturers seem ready to go to the efforts of sourcing ethical down, and recycled fabric for your down jacket, but will they finish the job off by ensuring that the zip, elastic and velcro are also towing the line? You can’t exactly be proud wearing your eco rain trousers if you have to close your eyes when you unzip and have a pee…. Trust me, my research tells me that this is not a comfortable thing to do, particularly late at night in a forest. A conscience free eco zip would very much help this situation.

So let’s take a look at a few if these essential elements and what’s being done in the industry.

Velcro

Velcro, in its very conception, development and use is the perfect eco advance.

Designed through bio mimicry, velcro was inspired by cockleburs which have flower balls that hook onto your clothing ( or a passing animal ) and are taken to a fresh piece of ground to establish itself anew. These plants inspired George de Mestral to develop two fabrics that could replicate this infuriating plant’s system.

A two inch patch of Velcro can hold the weight of a human. So you need very little of it for a great deal of strength ( think of the strong man event when they use Velcro straps to tug a jumbo along ). This is efficient.

Finally, all of the raw materials in Velcro can be manufactured using practically any existing plastic. These days that increasingly means recycled plastic, which are very easily and cheaply sourced, and can easily return into the system at the end of their life.

Laces

I want to make it clear that whilst I am a fan of Velcro, I do draw the line when it comes to shoes. Call me a traditionalist, but I like laces…

That said, the people at Yankz could help me take another green step forward here. They have developed an elastic lace made of recycled materials. This quick lacing system replaces everyday laces and offers a secure, adaptive fit for use in really every sport.

Their CoolMax® recycled elastic cord “laces” automatically stretch with your foot movement, allowing a constant and supportive fit with no pressure points. The final touch is that recycled plastic buckles will then secure the elastic lace in place once you’ve found the perfect fit.

Zips

Ok, so I have mentioned zips, but not really got into the matter. Let’s take a first principle – we need to get metal out of our clothing. It is a painfully unimaginative hang on from history, when metal was the only mouldable ‘hard material’. It uses a hell of a lot of raw material, which is rarely sourced ethically, and then needs to be treated with chemicals to prevent it rusting.

As an alternative, look for plastic zips. Plastic can join most progressive materials into the melting pot to be re – spun, metal cannot. YKK and RiRi are making some very smooth, waterproof plastic zips from recycled stock. But it is TYT Trend that seems to be most fully engaged in greening your trim. They have brought major brands including Levis along with them on their mission to produce earth conscious zippers. Made from 100% recycled polymers, in their factories that are 100% owned by them, their products are made in the best conditions and emerge from an incredibly transparent supply chain. Keep an eye out for these guys, with thinking like this, they could take over the world.

Have a think then, the next time you zip, strap or scratch your kit shut. This stuff matters. If its essential to your kit, its essential to your world.

Ed Out.

In the heart of Berlin, Germany, the 427-suite Radisson Blu Hotel has created something so extraordinary it looks to be part of some new James Cameron film.

Within the hotel’s lobby atrium, an 82-foot Aquadom aquarium – the world’s largest, cylindrical fish tank – has been constructed to house over 50 species of some 1,500 tropical fish. Managed by the Sea Life Berlin Aquarium, the 1 million liter tank – and its inhabitants – is cared for by two full-time scuba divers.

To give visitors a truly immersive experience, a glass elevator is built within the aquarium’s core. Visitors can ride the car to a viewing platform just beneath the glass roof of the hotel.

Take a look at the photos below for a better idea of what the new and unique aquarium offers to Radisson guests.

According to the data, international visitors spent an estimated $13.3 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of February – nearly $1.6 billion more, or a 14 percent increase from spending in February 2011.

Year to date, U.S. travel and tourism exports have grown more than 11 percent in 2012.

“Today’s data is yet further evidence that the United States remains one of the top destinations for international visitors from around the world,” said Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sánchez.

“We have seen long-term growth in both arrivals and spending and hope to continue that trend with the focus provided by the Obama Administration on this growing sector,” he added. “That is why we are making it even easier to visit America’s most amazing places and working hard to tell folks about what an amazing place America is – whether you travel five or 5,000 miles to get here.”

Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States hit a record-breaking $10.1 billion during February, an increase of 13 percent when compared to last year. These goods and services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the United States, and other items incidental to foreign travel.

Fares received by U.S. carriers and U.S. vessel operators from international visitors increased more than 16 percent to $3.1 billion for the month, an increase of nearly $435 million when compared to last year and a mere $175 million shy of breaking the record set in August 2011.

While spending by international visitors has hit records, so have arrivals. In January 2012, 4.5 million international visitors traveled to the United States, a seven percent increase over January 2011. January 2012 registered the 10th straight month of increases in total U.S. visits.

In January 2012, the top inbound markets continued to be Canada and Mexico. Visits from Canada increased nine percent while arrivals from Mexico grew four percent. Seven of the top inbound overseas regional markets posted increases in visits in January 2012, while Western Europe was flat and the Caribbean region decreased four percent.

The 2012 data to date builds on increases in international and domestic tourism spending in 2011, which showed an increase of 8.1 percent, supporting an additional 103,000 jobs for a total of 7.6 million. A big factor in the increase was a surge in international visitors: in 2011, 62 million international visitors came to the United States, an increase of 2.5 million from the year before. These international visitors spent an all time record of $153 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services.

For more information, visit http://tinet.ita.doc.gov.

Before the US Civil War, while Abraham Lincoln was still just a US state representative ignorant of the great occasions to which he would rise, he uttered a remarkably prescient maxim: “The true rule in determining to embrace or reject any thing is not whether it have any evil in it, but whether it have more of evil than of good.”

I begin with this – something unimpeachably wise from someone irreproachably sagacious – in an attempt to ground what follows. You see, over many moons I have read and pondered your (my fellow travel scribes’) articles, blog posts and comments. Sadly, with each passing day, I shake my head and wonder how you’ve not read the writing on the wall: the travel terrain has changed, so why haven’t you?

Photo courtesy of Flickr/Johnnia Utah

Most mainstream newspapers and magazines today give periodic lip service to the evolution of travel, acknowledging that more and more travellers consider themselves ‘ecotourists,’ but not really giving their readers enough to feed their ethical penchants. Hamstrung by shrinking budgets, market-deaf advertisers and cumbersome bureaucracy, major travel media look like they’re being outpaced by the industry they’re supposed to support.

So why aren’t you, the new generation of penmen and -women, stepping into an expanding vacuum? Why aren’t more of you – buttressed by blogging skills and vocal in your frustrated desire to be recognized for your craft – helping to drive the kind of change that positions you as leaders? More nimble, more imaginative, more bold and less reliant on traditional revenue sources, you have little stopping you.

As one of the rank and file, I wouldn’t dare to guess at or pass judgment on your individual motivations as writers. And yet, banking on substantial personal experience, I feel justified in a Lincolnesque examination of the evil-good balance of advocating for the fastest-growing but most rough-trod parcel of the travel terrain and of wondering aloud why so many of you (travel writers in general, but bloggers in particular) appear to be shrinking from a perfect storm of a challenge.

What We See Is Mainly What We Look for

Here’s what I see: an alternative marketplace that’s got many niche names: ecotourism, responsible travel, sustainable travel, local travel, slow travel, community-based tourism, geotourism, green travel, pro-poor tourism, conscious travel, ethical travel etc.

This travel space continues to be alternative to the mainstream traffic of consumers who plan and shop for holidays guided principally by bucket lists and budget. That being said, high-minded considerations – worries about carbon emissions, ‘economic leakage,’ ‘cultural flattening’ and the like – are now increasingly asserting themselves as powerful motivators too. As early as 2007, Condé Nast Traveler‘s “The Power of Travel” focus on “the impact of tourism on communities and the planet” revealed a whopping 74% of respondents who thought “that hotels should be responsible for helping alleviate poverty in their own communities.” This is just a small fraction of the 7% of the international travel market in 2007 that the UN World Tourism Organisation attributed to ecotourism, a number that has increased significantly since then. We’re beholding the mainstreaming of the fringe.

Photo courtesy of Anne Flickr/Wangalachi/CIMMYT

What We Fight Against Defines Us As Clearly As All We Embrace

As I consider shifting travel trends, though, what has surprised me most is the lacklustre endorsement for change from travel media. Catherine Mack wrote meaningfully about this last month. “After a plethora of responsible tourism conferences, conventions and codes of practice, so many travel writers, not just travellers, still think it is amusing that our industry is ‘responsible’ for so much damage,” she lamented. So do I. I also wonder why.

Now, I’m sure the proliferation of travel monikers has lent to confusion about what it all means. It may even have lent to some degree of exhaustion. There’s already a small but important weight of accountability (and sometimes culpability) associated with the cluttered mix of mindful compound-noun travel styles, but does “The lack of a precise, commonly agreed definition of ‘ecotourism’… cause… misunderstanding, argument and debate,” as Ron Mader asks in an essay about tourism definitions? Why else would each new entrant into the space feel compelled to come up with a new banner, right?

I nevertheless keep coming back to the same thought. Does the majority of travel writers and editors just not get it? Or not care? In a LinkedIn comment left in response to Catherine Mack’s post, one reader is understanding about the mix of priorities that influence travellers and travel providers, but he has no sympathy for the media. “They would only be interested in the reality TV show ‘I’m a Responsible Celebrity on Holiday, Get me out of here.’ ” Another reader derides “smug media apathy.”

“We Buy Things We Don’t Need, with Money We Don’t Have, to Impress People We Don’t Like” – Dave Ramsey

Not surprisingly, the circle-jerk of blame in the travel media space can be impressive. I try to avoid it, which means I am ignorant both of what powers it and of how to neuter it when it grows too rabid. Looking in from the outsider ranks, I see writers criticising editors criticising advertisers criticising PR firms criticising travel suppliers criticising tourist boards criticising what writers write. Working in such conditions, the pool of writers – a glowing (and growing!) cadre of exceptions notwithstanding – seems fundamentally ill-equipped to drive change.

Photo courtesy of Flickr/McKay Savage

Far too many of them behave like angry miners clawing at a passing flash of blood diamond. Do they not care about morality or changing consumer interests? Perhaps not. A writer I won’t embarrass by name once told me “I write for today’s traveler, not tomorrow’s,” which struck me as fundamentally wrong-footed. Everyone’s stuck in an engine coughing on dirty oil that soils the clean whenever it’s added.

We Only Grow When We Step Outside Our Comfort Zone

If your comfort zone is exclusively surf, sand and sun in an air-conditioned, gated, foreign-owned resort that imports the foods you eat at home and staff who look like you, it’s time to expand your horizons. At a time of global warming, widespread economic and political upheaval, and irremediable cultural extinction, should you really be devoting energy to the promotion of bad practices and sorry stereotypes? Why do I even have to ask that question?

I’ve never yet heard a legitimate argument against being responsible when you travel. Burlap sheets and grass dinners are no more likely with ethical operators than they are with any others. And objecting to the sustainable use of resources or equitable sharing of profits with local providers would be like lobbying against kindness. By Lincoln’s standards, then, responsible travel is more of good than of evil, something to be embraced. Dipping your quill in support of it should also be a no-brainer.

“We Must Hang Together, Gentlemen… Else, We Shall Most Assuredly Hang Separately” – Benjamin Franklin

If ever there was a man who was unafraid to try something new, it was Franklin. However, while he was always ready to go out on a limb by himself, he was also a convinced collaborator, banking (sometimes literally) on the shared wisdom and foresight of his colleagues.

Now, I’m no Franklin, but I do believe that travel writers (especially bloggers) are in a unique position today:

* We could add oomph to the fair travel crusade by giving consumers what they want and, just as critically, rejecting what is wrong with irresponsible travel.

* We could join forces with the mass of industry stakeholders who are making meaningful decisions about where they work and how best to present it to visitors.

* We could stabilise the unsteady responsible travel stool by adding media – the missing third leg – to those above and finally propelling the travel industry into the next generation.

What do you think?

Today, the Earth Day Network is thriving with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. Each year, over 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

For 2012, the Earth Day Network is again hosting “A Billion Acts of Green®” with the ambitious goal of registering another one billion environmentally friendly actions in preparation for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development happening in Rio de Janeiro in June, 2012 (Rio+20).

At the event, The Earth Day Network plans to show world leaders that people are willing to stand up and be counted for the sake of our planet and the longevity of our species.

The Earth Day Network will also participate in helping to secure political commitment for more sustainable development, assess progress towards internationally agreed commitments and continue to address new and unforeseen challenges.

“Rio+20 the Conference will focus on two overall themes: (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development,” said John Maleri, Associate Director of Earth Day and coordinator for A Billion Acts of Green®.

“The focus will be on 7 highlighted areas in the context of these themes,” he added. “These include decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness.”

Along with asking individuals to pledge an act of kindness towards the planet, there are also environmental events being held all over the world – including a rally at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, April 22, 2012, where tens of thousands of environmentally conscious people, from all parts of the country, will be joined by civic leaders and celebrities to strengthen the environmental movement.

All of Earth Day Network’s activities – whether promoting green economic policies at home or abroad – inform and energize communities to act in a way that will secure a healthy future for this generation and generations to come.

To take part, visit act.earthday.org. As of March 30th, over 814,000,000 “acts” have been registered.

We have all heard the examples over the last few decades of factories exploiting their workforce – over worked, no safety, underpaid, and sometimes underage. Of course, this happens with your favourite brand “having no idea it is going on” and “being absolutely shocked and disgusted” when it is revealed to them. “Changes will be made,”e are told.

As an outsider looking in, when it comes to employment, and bodies existing to protect the rights of the worker, all I see is confusion. There are Non Governmental bodies, Govenmental Bodies, Multi Governmental bodies, there are associations and initiatives, and there are standards. Through all the promises and standards, it is so hard to find evidence of enforcement or effective action.

Let us take the case of the International Labour Organisation. This specialized agency of the UN lobbies governments and generates agreement on standards in the form of conventions and treaties. Many countries ratify these treaties, and in good faith, but the ILO is often criticised for a lack of enforcement, rendering the process symbolic.

On the other hand, we have the Fair Labour Association. This nonprofit association brings together academic establishments, civil society organizations, socially responsible companies, governments and unions. They all work together to establish programs and initiatives to protect the rights of the worker. Whilst they do maintain a regular audit body with published results, there are questions over their independence given that they are funded by the very companies they are auditing.

This is not so different to the Business Social Compliance Initiative, which encourages company self assessment based on ILO standards, and the Ethical Trading Initiative, which also has no powers of inspection or enforcement. The problem with promises is that they are too easy to break.

Another approach has been adopted by BlueSign. This fiercely independent audit body exists to establish standards at every stage of the manufacture process. Any part of the process can have be Blue Sign approved; your raw material, your chemicals, your employment. BlueSign provide brands with an index of approved factories, chemicals, fabrics… The brands are not employing Bluesign to audit them or the factories they use, this is down to the factory producing the fabric or zip or element. Rather they are consulting a list of ‘ingredients’ that have been approved.

BlueSign is then a generator of virtuous circles. The consumer requires kit that is certifiably “ethical”, the brands have the tools to find the materials and labour to achieve this. The factories have an independent and regular audit that allows them to pitch to the brand.

It costs the factory to have Bluesign audit them, it costs the brands to use their index and it costs the consumer a little more to buy a BlueSign approved product. The costs are split between the consumer, the brands and the factories making it a less onerous undertaking for any particular party and allowing Bluesign to be genuinely independent. We find once again that the model relies on the consumer to require change and to be prepared to pay for it. We find also that the inspection/accreditation body must be a business that will succeed or fail.

As a brand, it appears to be very hard to know which way to step. You might like Haglofs, prefer to develop an ‘in house’ code of conduct, setting out your requirements to your manufacturers. Incidently Haglofs use independant inspection teams to ensure their code of conduct is enforced.

There are of course examples of outdoor brands that weave ethical employment even more closely into the fabric of their company. Paramo produce high performance, durable outdoor clothing. The majority of Páramo manufacturing is based in Bogotá, Colombia. Working as part of a social program with the ‘Miquelina Foundation’, Páramo provides valuable skills to ‘at risk’ women seeking an improvement in their life. Whilst Paramo look to social, ethical enterprise in South America, Finisterre use European Family run factories that ensure wages above the European minimum wage,

These very different yet equally transparent approaches both guarantee the purchaser that their equipment is socially responsible and beneficial to the people involved in producing it. So don’t jump on the bandwagon and believe that it has to be made in the UK to be good for the world, but do look before you hand your money over and ask yourself… “who made this?”, and “are they telling the truth?’”

Wrong. The guys and girls I know in the adventure community are simple when it comes to kit.  If it works, it stays, and this really is the only criteria. The kit we use is built to so high a standard that we can rely on it for a really long time.  I have personally pushed this principle into the realm of the anti –social with my “lucky socks.”

In many ways we, the adventure sports community, are the worst kind of consumer.  How is anyone in business at all?  It has been well documented that Crocs got into serious difficulty due to the success of their own product that promised to last forever.  Everyone who owns a pair of Crocs is pretty well set.

The real core of the adventure community is impervious to the whimsical flounce of fashion.  In fact, the older your kit and the more beaten the fabric, the better the look.  As consumers, our requirements for the product are based around durability, not so much style.  So let’s not pretend that changing the color is going to make a huge difference.  If it did, then the big manufacturers would have changed their staple colors away from black, blue or red for men and sky blue, fuchsia, or grey for women, five years ago.

I want to know why the ice breaker merino wool tops I own have remained loyally the same shape and size through years of use and abuse, and why by comparison a woolen v–neck my Auntie gave to me last Christmas lasted three days before mutating into wind tunnel that would have better suited a well endowed female baboon.

The answer is simple, the choice, the cutting, the working and the finishing of the raw material is designed for purpose. And when that purpose is -30 exertion…well it has to keep it together as much as we do.  Man and woman in perfect harmony with kit.

But I haven’t had to buy a new jacket for a long time now, so how does that work for a business?

I asked Tom at Finisterre how manufacturers can survive whilst producing such resilient products. His response was simple.

“‘We have never really discussed the alternatives to be honest. Everything we do is about creating solutions which improve on what is already available, in terms of functionality, transparency, design and durability. Our kit is designed to last, but there is a natural product life too. What is in our favor is that people recognize just how well designed our kit is, and adventure communities can be very loyal, so they will often come and buy a second piece of kit to do another job with.”

So how does Finisterre design for durability?

“We are working with a lot of unknowns. We do a lot of scientific research but it can still be very hard to know exactly how long something will last, despite the really tough testing we put our products through. There are always trade-off. For example, we use recycled fabrics, which simply don’t last as long as nylons, but have a much smaller environmental footprint in the first place. So is making 2 jackets with a small footprint better than 1 jacket which lasts twice as long but has a much larger initial impact on the environment? You just have to make the best call you can with the facts you have available.”

Does the consumer have a role to play?

“Without doubt. 70 to 80% of the footprint of a jacket happens in the hands of the consumer, so we put a lot into educating the consumer too, providing care instructions and reproofing services to ensure the item lasts.”

We may be giving the adventure community a hard time in some of our other kit articles, but I am then the very first to say that in this respect of sustainable adventure equipment, the adventure community has got it spot-on.  No need to look for radical change here, after all, if it ain’t broke… don’t fix it.

We already enjoy consumer – led behavior amongst the production of adventure gear. We require the brands to act with longevity in mind from the very first time the pencil hits the sketch pad, to when they select their raw materials, to when the product rolls out of the mills.   It must be Durable. Tough. Last.

So junkie?  No. A lot of us might like to say we follow the middle path of Buddhism, but we remain seriously attached to our kit. I’ve never seen kit in a bin.  It just doesn’t happen.

Truthfully, I could cover any number of topics here on how the GOP pits antiquated rhetoric against scientific facts – including religion, evolution, agriculture, energy, history, culture, health care – each perhaps a go-to meme for the Republican party as it approaches the coming 2012 election and inevitably attempts to sidestep the factual topic of a recovering economy.

For examples, just tune into virtually any of the dozen-or-so Republican primary debates and attempt not to cringe at the absurdly base-less ideas spewing from Right wing leadership.

But for now, let’s focus on the environment – or, more specifically, climate change.

The GOP has famously opposed the facts behind climate change on nearly every possible front, citing little more than outdated, corporate-bought, dogmatic opinion to back its case against reality.

“Rick Santorum also said that global warming is politics, not science. And he said he’ll defend that position to the edge of the earth, ‘If I have to fall off’…” – Jay Leno

It has defended the most criminal offenders of environmental disasters, touted the worst efforts of “dirty” fossil-fuel-based energy initiatives , and consistently ridiculed environmental measures/legislation at every turn.

Perhaps Congress’ most infamous anti-environment persona is that of Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahama), who has notably compared the global environmental movement to the Third Reich and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to the Gestapo.

He also compared Al Gore’s Academy Award winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, to Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf.

“You say something over and over and over and over again, and people will believe it, and that’s their strategy,” he said in 2006 interview with the Tulsa World newspaper.

Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma)

Ironically, Inhofe is a ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; having served as its chairman from 2003 to 2007. Even more ironic is that Inhofe’s own state – Oklahoma – recently suffered its hottest summer on record, with July 2011 “becoming the hottest month for any state on record,” and heat-related damages to the state’s agricultural economy coming in at roughly $2 billion.

And yet, according to Inhofe, climate change is “the second-largest hoax ever played on the American people, after the separation of church and state.”

Appearing on CNN’s The Situation Room shortly after (the now-debunked) “climategate scandal” in 2009, Inhofe referenced the taken-out-of-context Climatic Research Unit as proof-positive that climate change “has been pretty well debunked.”

However, the fact checking organization Politifact concluded Inhofe’s statement to be false.

“Independent of CRU’s data,” read the website, “agencies and academics all over the world are coming to essentially the same conclusion: Climate change is happening.”

Fortunately for the world (but to the Party of No’s dismay), public opinion is also leaning in truth’s favor, as new polling data suggests that the largest percentage of Americans in recent history now believe in the tenets of climate change despite noted misunderstanding on just what climate change is.

And while polls do not determine the validity of an argument, they do in fact, portray a usually-accurate depiction of public opinion.

This, of course, is a threat to the anti-science establishment that is currently steering the course of the nation’s “conservative” politics, as it can potentially influence legislation that results in “reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy, involvement in global treaties and many other aspects.”

And faced with the public’s backlash against conservative fiscal policies, health care and education reform as well as many other and inane attacks on progressive politics, the Right is again willfully reducing itself to forging ahead as the country’s main misinformation engine by actively choosing to highlight “hot button” social issues – with environmentalism being one of them.

As environmental concerns encompass national memes like energy independence, “big brother” government, job creation and the economy, national security and societal longevity, anti-science Republicans like Inhofe view it as a prime target for  misleading the country and pushing a corporate-backed, anti-progress agenda.

Firing up the cause for regressive politics, Inhofe has just this week released his new book, “The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future,” wherein he  furthers his plight of inexcusable denial and conspiracy-theorizing while blaming “government regulations” for the state of energy insecurity in which the nation currently finds itself.

“He’s firmly convinced that regulation is the scourge of the nation, an impediment to honest business. And that, essentially, is what led him to take on climate change—he imagined a vast regime of regulations cascading down upon the nation, putting his buddies out of work and preventing him from redoing a fire escape. This is really common, actually: Those most inclined to deny climate change are also most inclined to decry regulation and be suspicious of big government.” – Brian Merchant, Treehugger

The Greatest Hoax, by Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma)

To put it simply, Inhofe’s “hoax” theory – as shared by a vast majority of Republican leadership (yet I still find it debatable as to whether or not they actually believe the very theory they are pushing) - is positively absurd.

The ideas that climate change is a) real, b) man-made, and c) detrimental to the survival of our species are agreed upon almost unanimously by the leading scientific academies throughout the world.

For Americans to buy into this grand “conspiracy” of lies and global deception, they must fall prey to the fearsome ideas that noted scientists, world leaders and environmental activists across the world have somehow figured out how to coordinate on a global scale, as if part of some lame James Bond villain academy – with only the “devious” goal of making the planet cleaner and healthier for future generations.

As the rest of the world moves forward without us in its determination to combat climate change, we in the United States are once again being pranced through the ever-tightening rings of a denialist circus.

Though I would like to imagine that – eventually – the truth will win out, actionable results thus far suggest otherwise. By the time science is the victor in this country, the world may have already lost.

Ditch the Plastic Bag

Plastic bags are one of the worst things for the environment, so avoid using them whenever possible. They can take up to 500 years to biodegrade so take a re-useable shopping bag with you when you go on holiday.

Pack Light

Remember that every kilo counts when flying. The heavier a plane weighs the more carbon emissions it produces. Pack only what you need.

Use Public Transport

Using public transport is one of the best things you can do for the environment when travelling abroad since you’re not creating any additional carbon emissions from private transport. It will enhance your travel experience, giving you with opportunities to interact with locals.

Travel Overland

Use coaches and trains to travel overland. Cut out one five-hour flight and your carbon footprint will instantly be lighter. You’ll get to see more of the countryside, too.

Drink Local Beer

Drink a locally brewed beer and not only will you probably enjoy a high quality ale, but your drink can be low-carbon by cutting down on ‘beer mileage’. This applies to eating local produce too. Let your taste buds be adventurous.

Be At Home in a Hotel

Remember to act in a hotel like you would at home – avoid getting clean towels when not necessary, don’t take long showers and turn off TV, lights and aircon when you leave the room.

Donate to an Organization

We often remember the sights we’ve seen and the animals we’ve spotted on our travels. Unfortunately, not all of these animals or buildings will be there for future generations. If you enjoyed the trip and want to help ensure that your kids can enjoy the same, donate to a foundation that preserves them or find an organisation which protects a specific region, animal or building when you get home and make a donation. You will feel good about helping to preserve the places and things you have seen, and help repair any damage from vehicles or walking.

Skip the Bottled Water

Ditch bottled water and save waste. Bring a reusable water bottle with you and stay at hotels which have installed water filters that travellers can use to fill reusable bottles with safe water.

Stick to Paths

Always stay on marked trails when hiking, and maintain a safe distance from any animals you come across. You might trample on protected or endangered plants if you go off the beaten track.

Travel in Smaller Groups

Smaller groups have less of an environmental impact so travel with a small group tour operator which is environmentally responsible. Ask you agent what size the group will be before you book.

Choose a Fuel Efficient Rental

If you need a car, choose a fuel-efficient model. The smaller the car, the less fuel it consumes. Cars such as the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Yaris offer a high MPG. You could even hire a moped or motorcycle instead.

The Green Choice

Because a vacation rental is a private home, you can choose the space that suits you with only the amenities you really need. Consider the energy being wasted each moment in a large hotel: continuously running washers and dryers, heated pools and spas, temperature controlled air conditioning and hallways and rooms that are lit 24 hours a day. You also have to consider the waste of items like shampoo and soap containers that create carbon footprints to manufacture and distribute even though they’re often only used once…and don’t forget the water, energy and chemicals needed to wash all those towels. When you stay in a vacation rental, you can bring your own toiletries, control how much power is being used and how frequently laundry is done. You have the option to cook your own meals, minimizing packaging waste, ensuring that you use ingredients of your own choosing and using a kitchen that uses far less energy than a large industrial kitchen in a restaurant. You can choose to hand wash dishes rather than running a dishwasher and you can use your own earth-friendly cleaning products.

Vacation Rental Features

Many vacation rental owners have gone to great lengths to offer a home where you can feel good about enjoying your vacation without impacting the environment. Installing solar power panels, low-flow toilets and faucets, and using sustainable products, such as bamboo flooring in their construction are just a few of the ways vacation rentals can be earth-friendly. Even a hotel that has made strides towards being eco-friendly will require more energy to heat and cool at low occupancy levels, while a vacation rental gives you both more usable square footage with a smaller building requiring far less energy to run.

Green Destinations

Often the location of a vacation rental adds as much to the reduction of your carbon footprint as do the features of the rental itself. You can select a rental that is near public transportation or in a place where you can choose to walk or ride a bike to get around.  Consider an area such as Fire Island, New York where cars are not permitted.  Take into account the seasonal weather patterns and stay in a cabin in Gatlinburg in May when temperatures are in the 60s and 70s, minimizing the need for air conditioning. Vacation rentals also allow you to pick and choose from eco-tourism destinations.  They are often located in places where nature remains pristine and no large hotels exist, giving you access to a clean and green place to relax.  Alaska, for example, offers some of the most beautiful eco-tourism and peaceful vacation rentals on the continent – and as a bonus, you can drive there, reducing your carbon footprint versus flying. Next time you are planning a green vacation, consider vacation rentals as an excellent option for minimizing your footprint and create a vacation experience that is good for you and good for the planet too.

Let’s be clear, ethical adventure clothing does not need to be about hippies dancing in circles and weaving reeds to make a hat.

The adventure wear community is instead talking about ‘Input Stream Management’. Its cold, its real, and you’d better believe it’s calculated. The goal is to produce uncompromisingly high performance gear that uses raw materials that are produced with the lowest impact on peoples and environments.

There is a movement in the outdoor adventure community to act across a number of fronts to green the input stream. We can use better raw materials, less raw materials, we can re- use our materials, and we should never stop looking for a ‘much better’ material.

Lets take the example of adventure food. There are some energy bars out there that use a complex cocktail of chemicals that become a moulded brown performance boosting affront to the senses. There is little concern as to the source of the ingredients, the physical appeal or the taste of the bars.

Alex and Jimmy are the creators of the ‘mule bar’. They have a simple goal : that your top up fuel should not taste like your socks. To achieve this, they go back to the source and use organic and Fairtrade ingredients wherever possible and are committed to having all their products totally organic and Fairtrade as soon as the ingredients are available. It’s simple I guess, but if the ingredients are good, then the result is good.

Away from the kitchen, there is another option when it comes to our adventure gear. At DMM, they have discovered that less is more. By upping the technology they have managed to drop the ingredients. Take the phantom series of quickdraws and carabiners which use a hot forging technique and the ultra lightweight I Beam construction to allow lightness in strength.

Even better than this, we can re- use materials we have already shredded. EVOLV and TRAX Rubber have developed eco-TRAX, a recycled content high friction rubber compound for use in their climbing shoes. The eco trax evolv climbing shoestechnology comes from decomposing selective pre & post consumer rubber waste and then reprocessing it to make a useable compound. Currently, 30% of the eco-TRAX compound used on select parts of their outsoles is recycled material, however they plan to use a higher recycled percent compound on other shoes that don’t require maximum friction.

In the same spirit, back in 1993, Patagonia created fleece material made from post consumer recycled plastic soda bottles. They were the first outdoor clothing manufacturer to do so. This represented a hugely positive step towards a more sustainable system. Using fewer original resources and in turn discarding less waste all whilst better protecting people’s health. They calculate that in the 13 years the system has been in place, they have saved some 86 million soda bottles from landfill thus reducing their dependence on oil.

Interior of Patagonia in Ventura

Extending their use of this polyester fiber beyond just fleece into garments such as their Capilene baselayers, shell jackets and board shorts, they have also created the world’s first garment recycling program. We, the adventure community bring them our worn-out Capilene baselayer, Patagonia fleece or Polartec® fleece (from any maker) and they make a new polyester garment from it using an innovative process developed by TEJIN FIBRES.

As a body of consumers we must require these forward thinking brands to continue their progress, and to push the entire market to constantly look for better raw materials whether its Bamboo or Hemp, silk, wool or coke bottles.

But what guidance do we as consumers get? Well, we are working on that here at HQ, but better question yet – what guidance do the brands themselves get?

If I were a manufacturer, how do I know that the fabric, rubber and plastic that I am using is indeed produced using the claimed % recycled content or genuinely organic or produced in the correct working conditions? There are few brands indeed that could afford to ‘spot check’ the production facilities of their partners.

It is out of this problem that organisations such as Bluesign® have grown. There aim is ‘to keep the entire production process in view’. They provide a suite of tools to outdoor brands that are seeking the assurance that their manufacture process ‘is environmentally sound and does not waste resources’.

Blue sign is becoming a by-word for efficiency in textile production transparency within the adventure world. They do the audits, the spot checks and the calculations, the brands are advised, and the consumer can buy in confidence.

They are not alone however. There are many other recognized standards that also guide the adventure consumer.

You will all recognize the ‘Fairtrade’ symbol as an international but still independent certification body. They set international Fairtrade standards, organize support for producers around the world, develop global Fairtrade strategy and promote trade justice internationally.

Skal is the body behind the eko organic cotton standard. They survey organic production by means of inspection and certification. Inspections consist of visits to farms, processing and importing units, but also examination of soil, crop or tissue samples.

These standards are good, and particularly in the case of Fairtade they are current household names, brands even, that allow us to buy in confidence. They trade off their reputation, and as such are required to maintain excellent standards.

Personally, I am in favour of ‘standards shopping’. However, a concern is that a marketplace of ‘standards’ begins with multiple bodies competing with each other, and splitting the brands ultimately leaving the consumer lost. I advocate a single eco standard for each area of production / manufacture – supported and held to account by the outdoor brands, promoted by the retailer and selected by the adventure consumer.

In the next part, Ed will be looking at the design process of adventure wear and gear and asking whether choices at this early stage can affect the product’s eventual footprint.

The Begawan Foundation’s Bali Starling Project began with this premise – and a passionate belief that that they could achieve these goals. After all, a species that becomes extinct in its own natural habitat is gone forever, leaving later generations to mourn its loss and wonder why it exists only in cages or zoos.

The official mascot of Bali, the Bali Starling is actually a ‘critically endangered’ species. Once a healthy species that flourished in its native environment of Bali, by 1998 the population was at an all-time-low with fewer than 15 birds restricted to the Bali Barat National Park in the north-west. However, thanks to Begawan Foundation’s breeding and repatriation program, a number of generations now live free in the wilds of Nusa Penida.

Over 12 years, the project has maintained the key goals of protecting the rare Bali Starling species from total extinction, supporting repatriation to its native habitat, fostering a sustainable population and preventing threats from poachers. The Indonesian island of Nusa Penida, which lies 19kms to the south of Bali, has become home to three generations of ‘wild’ Bali Starlings – thanks to the pioneering efforts of the foundation’s program.

Established in 1999 by Bradley and Debbie Gardner, Begawan Foundation was launched with a mission to encourage an awareness of environmental protection and conservation amongst Bali’s local population. Surrounded by images of the Bali Starling in bird parks, landscape paintings and numerous government department emblems, the protection of this species seemed a no-brainer. “We’ve been entrusted with the future of the Bali Starling here in Bali and we take that responsibility very seriously,” says Bradley Gardner, co-founder of Begawan Foundation. “The breeding and release program has come a long way since 1999 when we began with two imported pairs from a local breeder, Nick Wileman, in the United Kingdom.”

A key to the success of the conservation and release program has been its creative and innovative ‘training program’, which encouraged the birds to become self-sufficient rather than rely on human intervention and assisted feeding. Unpeeled, uncut fruit was placed in different areas of the enclosures, on alternate days, so they could supplement their diet by catching insects (attracted by small lights). Sprinklers installed at the top of the cages encouraged the birds to maximize their water intake, as water was only provided intermittently. This approach forced the birds to seek out water sources in other catchment areas such as tree cavities, fruit, leaves and shells.

Not surprisingly, the successful model has received keen support from zoologists in Europe and Asia. “The ongoing support of reputable zoos has really boosted our program, “says Shirley Hermawan, Program Manager. “We’ve just received another three birds from Jurong Bird Park in Singapore and Koelner Zoo in Germany has provided another 20 birds from zoos throughout Europe.”

Since the first release in 2006, an integral aspect of release stage has been the active involvement of the local community. The symbolic release of two birds was performed as a gift to the Gods at Penaturan Agung Temple in the village of Ped, where local priests blessed both onlookers and birds. Thereafter, every release has followed the same traditional rituals, with two birds symbolically blessed with holy water prior to release.

Internationally renowned for its Bali Starling Program, the foundation also works with Javan peacocks, Hornbills and Mitchell’s lorikeets (a rare species found only on Lombok and Bali). While the foundation has focussed on bird species, it is hoping to work closely with a wider range of endangered species.

“We see the upcoming International Congress on Zoo Keeping in 2012 as a great opportunity for the professional community to visit us in person and see for themselves the success of our programs,” commented Shirley.

More information can be found at www.begawanfoundation.org

STEP – which has been designed to assist tourism businesses assess their operations and identify industry best practices – aims to mitigate harmful impacts while emphasizing positive returns.

“We’re very excited that STEP is among the first global standards to be recognized by the GSTC,” said Bobby Chappell, STI’s Director of Standards and Certification. “As we continue to build the case for sustainability in the travel and tourism industry, this recognition is further proof that STEP is among the most innovative, engaging, and accessible tools for businesses worldwide.”

“As a global leader in sustainable tourism, we are extremely proud of this recognition and excited for the next stage of the GSTC process,” added STI’s Founder and CEO, Brian Mullis. “We look forward to helping many more businesses around the world protect the cultural and natural heritage of the destinations they serve while contributing to local economic development.”

STEP’s “holistic” eco-certification process – which begins with a self-assessment and builds toward an independently-verified on-site assessment – includes a suite of training tools and online sustainability management solutions, in addition to customized standards for the luxury accommodation, marine shore excursion and dive operator sectors.

The program is perfect for businesses looking for incremental, measurable progress, rather than an easy checklist of best practices.

For more information, visit www.sustainabletravel.com.

In the province of Udon Thani, Khun Ten and his family launched Gecko Villa a decade ago, before responsible tourism had become a buzzword.  They welcome guests who are keen to get off the beaten path to experience local ways of life, mingling with the indigenous villagers and trying their hand at a number of eclectic activities – from helping out in the paddies, to reforestation projects; commandeering a samlor; learning to cook Thai food with home-grown, organic ingredients; giving alms to the Buddhist monks as dawn breaks; meandering through silk-weaving villages;  wondering at the local lotus lake as it bursts into bloom, or exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Ban Chiang, nearby.

“Some guests”, says Khun Ten, “have visited Thailand before and simply want to get away from the crowds to find somewhere truly local and very tranquil to just relax by the private pool, but most are attracted by the fact that they are welcomed directly by us and shown around the region, with all that there is to see and do. They have made a deliberate choice to spend their holiday where they see the direct benefit to the locals – be that for those involved in running the villa or those who supply services, such as boat guides, traditional Thai massage practitioners, rice farmers – or the local village schools.

They have developed a winning formula that blends elements of a typical holiday villa rental with some from traditional resorts or even home stays. The villa is rented by guests in its entirety, so they can enjoy the property, grounds and pool in complete privacy, yet the hassles of self-catering accommodation are avoided, as fresh Thai food is prepared for guests throughout their stay – and at any requested level on the Scoville scale! – meaning that visitors have much more time to indulge and relax, or to get out and about, exploring the area by bicycle, tuk-tuk, boat or car.  Laundry, housekeeping and babysitting services are provided free of charge, as are transfers to the villa itself.

In 2008, they expanded with a second property, Green Gecko, a rural Thai villa with a private swimming pool, highlighting traditional Thai style.

Both of the villas were constructed by local villagers, and their operation is also fully undertaken by villagers themselves. The villas harvest rainwater that is stored in large red pots, as is the typical practice in this dry area, and both of the swimming pools use a natural saltwater system to avoid the use of chlorine.  Much of the ingredients for their delicious Thai food is grown either on the properties or nearby, the villas producing a wide range of produce including tropical fruit such as limes, mangos, bananas, dragon fruit and passion fruit, and herbs such as coriander, chillies, galangal, lemongrass, sweet basil and more.  The villas have undertaken the reforestation of disused rice paddies to enhance the local eco-system, and a close relationship with the small village primary school is maintained, where guests may give impromptu lessons, donate lunches or second-hand computers and more. Recycling is widely practised, where a couple known as “salaeng” ensuring that all viable waste material may be recycled or composted accordingly.

“It was difficult at the beginning”, says Khun Ten, “but today we are very grateful to welcome back guests year after year as old friends, and to meet new visitors from around the world. We can teach them the local ways of life, but we also learn from our guests. And without them, rice planting could never pay for our children’s education, for healthcare and more. Sustainable tourism is a two way path – visitors support us, and we in turn must ensure they have a memorable holiday, with all of us learning something along the way. But most of all, perhaps, tis kind of tourism is fun for all involved, precisely because of the way it is so individual, so personal.”

The Thailand Holiday Villa Rental Guide is proud to recommend both of these properties tor those searching for a bygone Thailand or wishing to escape the crowds in an unspoiled part of the kingdom. Whether a couple, a group of friends, foodies or those planning a family holiday in Thailand, they certainly offer something very different. Those seeking a vacation that encompasses a stay in the rural northeast alongside a Thai beach holiday can alternatively mix and match their chosen rentals at our own site.

Last week, I tweeted briefly on the rampant excess of supposed “eco” blogs pushing more and more needless “product” down the throats of consumers; a disconcerting trend that has seemingly taken over the “green” blogosphere perhaps due to there being little-else to talk about.

In this accusation I cannot exempt myself, either. TerraCurve.com has, on occasion, promoted and/or reviewed it products and other services that – when viewed objectively – can also be tossed into this category.

But every now and then, something inspiring comes about. Most recently, the case of the One Laptop per Child project – a non-profit that aims to supply impoverished children in third world countries “one rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop” – whose product revamp includes a self-powering tablet (off the grid).

“As the pace of change in the world increases dramatically, the urgency to prepare all children to be full citizens of the emerging world also increases dramatically. No one can predict the world our children will inherit. The best preparation for children is to develop the passion for learning and the ability to learn how to learn.

“The root cause of the rapid change, digital technology, also provides a solution. When every child has a connected laptop, they have in their hands the key to full development and participation. Limits are erased as they can learn to work with others around the world, to access high-quality, modern materials, to engage their passions and develop their expertise.”

Showcased at CES 2012, the new rendition – OLPC XO-3 – integrates with with both solar and human power.

The model has an optional 4-watt solar cover combined with a battery. Charging the solar panel cover for an hour should generate 4 watts of power, enough to run the tablet for two hours. There is also an optional hand crank customers can buy that can charge the tablet with human power.

Although only a prototype, the tablets are expected to cost around $100. The non-profit’s new XO notebooks will begin shipping in March 2012.