by A. South

Created on: January 06, 2009

When you go on vacation, living green isn't something you leave at home. No matter where you go on vacation, it's important that you take your eco-frinedly lifestyle with you. Whether you're on the busy streets of New York City or snorkeling the majestic coral reefs of Belize, it is possible to minimize your carbon footprint while you're enjoying time away.

Here are just a few tips that will help make your next vacation eco-friendly:

1) Drive the most fuel-efficient car in your price range. Try hybrids, sedans, anything that improves gas efficiency. Check fuel prices against rental prices. Renting a fuel-efficient car might save you money in the long run.

2) If you take your own car make sure it's ready for the trip. A study by the EPA found tat if every American inflated their tires to manufacturer specifications, gasoline usage would drop by two percent.

3) Now that you've got your car road-ready, leave it parked as much as possible. When you can, walk, ride a bike or take public transportation. That way, you'll reduce your impact and get a chance to see a little more of your destination.

4) Reduce your trash as much as possible. Find out about the local recycling program and recycle whatever you can.

5) Your hotel probably has some environmental programs in place already. When you arrive, ask if they have any green options you can participate in.

6) Hotels use an incredible amount of water, soap and electricity every day washing and drying sheet and towels. Ask that your towels and linens not be washed every day to reduce your carbon footprint during your stay.

7) When you're not in your hotel room, make sure all lights are turned off and the heat or air conditioning in the hotel room is set at a reasonable number. Turning the thermostat back even a few degrees can offset usage dramatically.

8) Eat local. You travel to experience a new place, right? So why not try their food? Eating locally reduces transportation costs, pesticides and supports the local economy. Even better, local food is usually more fresh and so it tastes better, too

9) Put your vacation time to good use by experiencing some of the earth's endangered areas. Seeing the environment in its glory is a great way to ignite a desire to take care of it. Play on the beach, go for a hike, take a camping trip. On your next vacation, enjoy Mother Nature and take care of it at the same time.

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