Posts Tagged ‘transportation’

Top 10…environmentally friendly travel companies @ Ecologist

Next week marks the first ever Green Tourism Week; an initiative launched by the Green Tourism Business Scheme last October. But Green Tourism Week isn’t alone in its drive to promote a greener way to travel. Nominations are currently being gathered for the Responsible Tourism Awards, which will be presented on 9th November – World Responsible Tourism Day. Even the UN’s World Environment Day (5th June) is getting in on the act, with a host of initiatives aimed at boosting environmentally conscious travel scheduled in.

It’s not all awards and world days though. Ethical travel company, Gap Year for Grown Ups, estimates that more than 100,000 of us choose trips that involve volunteering or conservation each year. While it doesn’t compare to the numbers heading off on package trips to Magaluf and Faliraki, it’s a positive start. So what does eco-tourism really mean? The International Eco-tourism Society defines eco-tourism as being ‘responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.’ Although it sounds straightforward, some less scrupulous companies call their activities eco-tourism when in reality, all they offer is a carbon offsetting scheme – even though this has become standard practice for many travel companies. If that’s left you unsure of where to look: check out the the 10 responsible travel companies that are putting Thomas Cook and co to shame.

Detroit (Finally) Builds Small Cars, Profits Return @ Treehugger

The nation’s auto industry would have gone belly-up in 2008 if it weren’t for the intervention of the federal government. GM, Chrysler, and Ford were essentially bankrupt. And though they — and most observers — continue to primarily blame the economic collapse, it should be pretty clear what brought about their decline: Business plans that banked solely on gargantuan, gas-guzzling SUVs and paid no mind to ascendant gas prices. So it should come as no surprise that Detroit is finally rebounding — and it’s doing so thanks to its production of small cars. (more)

Light Rail Transportation For Dummies (Infographic) @ Crisp Green

Late last year, the NRDC released a report with Smart Growth America evaluating how well state-level transportation decisions are aligned with greenhouse gas emissions reductions efforts by examining a selection of key transportation policies currently in place in the 50 states. According to ecopolitology, only three states, California, Maryland and New Jersey scored in the top tier, with the rest of the states showing the most room for improvement. But even those states in the top tier scored no higher than a B-.

Earlier this month U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed and delivered to Governor Rick Snyder a $199,309,608.00 check this afternoon at downtown Detroit’s Amtrak station. The Federal grant will pay to upgrade rail lines and enable high-speed passenger train service between Detroit and Chicago (Mlive.com).

Similar projects are in the works all over the country. Light and high speed rail transportation have the potential to revolutionize urban environments were traffic and pollution are at an all time high. (see infograph)