Earth Day, April 22, for Travelers

International backpackers are typically a pretty eco-conscious bunch. It's hard to make too much of an impact on the environment when you're living on a budget of $30 or less a day. That's including food, room and board and transportation. You know the saying, "waste not, want not" could be the backpacker's motto.

I'm trying to think of other ways that all travelers can try to be a little more green. Everyone knows to support those hotels that only wash the sheets every few days instead of every day (although I believe that hotels do it to save money, not the environment), take shorter showers, turn off the lights when you leave a room, etc.

What about how much fuel it takes to fly to the places you're going? In the states, why not take Amtrak? It's cheaper, more adventures, nicer than economy seats on a plane although it takes more time, it's the journey that is the most important not the destination, right? Instead of staying at a hotel, stay at a communal site where groceries are shared and you earn your stay by helping work around the area planting trees or maintaining hiking trails.

Check out Sierra Club Vacations for trips designed for travelers looking for unique destinations that also provide a way to improve the quality of life for the people there, the culture and the environment.

Let's try to make Earth Day every day.