Guest Blogger Sam Marquit talks on How Green is Your Life about GREEN TRAVEL

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Advances in Green Travel

Over the last decade, we have started hearing more and more about the importance of living green and saving our planet. I have been thrilled with this progress, especially in the construction industry. I have spent my life working in the construction field, both as an independent contractor and a commercial contractor. Since this is my area of expertise, I am especially interested in green living as it applies to building codes and regulations.

LEED certification has become a standard that many builders strive for, but there are also many other ways to recognize builders and companies that choose to make eco-friendly choices.

In Asia, The Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards were founded by a large accommodation company to recognize tourism-based businesses who have made positive changes to help the environment. The awards are given to both big and small businesses for engaging the community, reducing their carbon footprint and providing tourists with an environmentally responsible choice for accommodations.

I think it’s important to realize that every part of the tourist industry can make positive changes; it does not just have to be major hotel chains who make a difference in the world. For example, a family owned restaurant can provide greener resources by serving a menu of locally grown foods; this helps the local economy and the consumer receives fresher food and a small bed and breakfast can use less water by installing low-flow toilets and showerheads.

Great strides are being made in some of the top vacation destinations in the world, too. The Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, recently earned the title of "The Most Eco-Friendly Hotel in America." This huge property has drastically reduced its energy consumption by recycling its used waste into new energy, making it one of the most environmentally conscious hotels in Las Vegas. The facility not only meets the LEED standards, but it exceeds them!

Las Vegas isn’t the only big city that’s making greener changes, New York City's ink48 Hotel started the Earthcare program to help users exchange green living ideas. When companies and individuals apply the concepts that companies like Ink48 inspire, they can start reducing their carbon footprints’ as well.

Millions of people travel each year, which can create a lot of waste and you can make a difference by wisely choosing where to spend your travel dollars. It is not a secret that money talks and you can use your money to support hotels, attractions and restaurants that make green living a priority. In addition, we can all collectively make a big difference by making small changes in our daily lives at home, school and work.

 Sam Marquit is an independent ‘green’ contractor and co-author of Fair Marquit Value 
 http://fmarquitv.tumblr.com 

The Long The Short and The Green of It...

First of all GREAT BIG APOLS to all my Eco Readers!
Where the *&%$ have I been for going on 18 months?
The short answer is: MAKING A MOVIE
see here www.TheWildernessCompany.uk.com
and I'm now a Screenwriter/Film Director/Producer type....
http://bit.ly/12SnSpv

But I do think about green things still. Still dream about the Dutch barge I'm going to convert and live on one day.... With the Tall Handy Man of My Dreams obvs.... but a Green Girl can get busy and be re-inspired about designing and building and cushions by my lovely SE London friends, Victoria and Peter, who have bought a house in France and are renovating it (beautifully) on a shoestring http://weboughtafrenchhouse.com/

But here's the PIECE OF RESISTANCE! (Soz Pete and Vic)
http://www.beingsomewhere.net/index.htm

OMG OMG OMG! Loving it. While I'd never quite go NATIVE in the Welsh countryside like these folk you have to say ahhhhhh at the jaw dropping beauty of the HOBBIT HOUSE that cost about £2000 to build. Yes, only two thousand smackers!  Heaven!

One of the nice things about being home in England is shopping in MARKS AND SPENCERS

You have probably heard plenty in recent years about the world’s rapidly expanding movement toward “going green,” which has begun to impact many aspects of our lives. From the development of electronic cars, to increased research toward alternative energy, there are all sorts of changes being made, all with the same common goal of turning the world into a more energy efficient, less wasteful environment. Of course, for this goal to ever be completed, people and companies alike need to recognize the needs at hand and begin to act toward positive change. I've been aware of a lot of GREENWASHING in recent year - corporations jumping on the Green Bandwagon as a way to raise their green image. From talking to friends in those sectors, there are certain companies that are putting their money where their green mouths are. I believe Marks & Spencer – one of the largest stores popular in the UK – has set an example along these lines by implementing a full-scale effort toward becoming the world’s most sustainable retail store by the year 2015.



Marks & Spencer’s plan toward sustainability has been labeled, simply, “Plan A,” (because there is no Plan B)  and contains a number of different aspects designed to enhance the “green” nature of the company’s functions. Here is an explanation of the five main strands to the plan :



•    Climate Change – Marks & Spencer is determined to reduce its carbon footprint by lowering emissions. The hope is for the company to be carbon neutral in the UK in another year, as well as to implement the use of renewable electricity.

•    Waste – Marks & Spencer is attempting to limit the number of bags and packages they put out each year by reducing the physical packaging and using recyclable materials – this will, in the long term, decrease waste output.

•    Sustainable Raw Materials – Careful animal welfare will be practiced by the company with regard to the poultry, fish, and general animal-related products sold in the stores. The sources of these animals are to be monitored closely to ensure proper treatment.

•    Fair Partner – This section of “Plan A” relates to the company’s commitment to providing a “new standard in ethical trading,” by buying and selling fair trade products.

•    Health – Marks & Spencer is also making a strong push toward providing healthy options with regard to food and groceries. Harmful food elements like salts and fats are being done away with to the greatest extent possible, and health advisors are being hired. All of this can contribute to generally healthier food options, and, ultimately, healthier dieting habits for customers. 

I read a few years ago that since M&S had started charging for plastic carrier bags in their shops, they have saved millions of pounds as the use of those bags was greatly reduced. Customers were bring their own bags. So, as I have always maintained, when a big company sees they save money by being green, that will be the incentive for 'green' action and the sustainability factor will be a by product. Either way the net result is good for all of us and for the planet.

I hope to be blogging more in the new year. There are lots of lovely new design products on the market now, the fashion industry is designing fashion that doesn't look like sackcloth, building greener is always on people's minds with new builds (the homeowners on Grand Designs nearly always incorproate a green/energy saving aspect) and everyone around is working harder to be green.... 

Have a merry and green Christmas and see you in the new year

Alexandra xx

Have a very merry Christmas

A White (snow) and Green (eco) Christmas!

When it comes to eco shopping at Christmas, there is so much choice these days compared to 4 years ago when I started this blog

HERE ARE SOME LOVELY ECO (AND SOMETIMES ETHICAL TOO!) PRESENT IDEAS THAT HAVE COME MY WAY THIS CHRISTMASTIDE...

FROM THE ECO CHIC COLLECTION...

Earrings £76.60

Weekend Bag £150

Also as a special Christmas gift from multi eco award-winning RAPANUI based in the Isle of White,my lovely blog readers can get 10% off any purchase by entering the password "SNOWMAN" at the checkout. SIMPLES!

Gosh! That gorgeous boy can come and dig my garden ANY time ;-)

Eco Living Space in Hong Kong

The most amazing use of space!
NUFF SAID!

Is it all GREENWASHING? YOU decide....

To all my faithful followers, apologies, you will know I've been off the green scene these last few months. I've been very busy with my acting and writing - rent From Paris With Love - nuff said!
One of the other reasons I took a back seat is that it had become increasingly difficult to get enthusiastic about a lot of green talk and products because I felt a lot of big companies were telling how eco/green they were but how were we to tell the difference.

I felt a big green band wagon had been jumped on and wanted to step back from the craziness for a while.
Below is an article based on a survey done that finds out if other people felt the same way...

A few weeks ago, a food distribution software review <http://www.softwareadvice.com/distribution/food-and-beverage-distribution-software-comparison/> site started a survey to ask readers whether or not they care about a company's decision to green its supply chain. Based on the 125 responses they received, the answer is a resounding yes, which ought to be a given. After all, shouldn't everyone want companies to try harder to improve their practices? As some of the readers suggest, the best way to grab these companies' attentions is to vote with your wallet. If they follow through on their environmental promises, reward them with your dollars. If not, well, you know what to do.

The most interesting data comes from the choices voters made regarding which aspect of a green supply chain they care about the most. While it is no surprise that old favorites like reducing fuel emissions and shifting to reusable packaging are important as ever, it is certainly interesting to see that the same people who feel so passionately about these topics care less about a company's ability to police its suppliers. What's more important to you?

You can see the results and participate in the ongoing survey yourself by clicking here


OK. It's Alexandra again:
Keep watching the blog again over the next few months. I plan on designing and building a houseboat. SHHHHHHhhhhhhh..... it's in the very early (drawing board) stages, but be assured it will be as green and eco as can be - solar panels, a wind turbine and all the green trimmings.

I will be posting photos and blogging war stories as I embark (save the puns please!) on the green design adventure of a lifetime! And you will be able to read all about it right here. Check out my first elevation....


In the meantime - stay as green as you can!

My Blog Is Carbon Neutral

MY BLOG IS CARBON NEUTRAL is an initiative that started in Germany by the MAKE IT GREEN programme. With their goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, they have offered to plant a tree for every eco blog out there. They have invited HOW GREEN IS YOUR LIFE to participate and I couldn't refuse such a kind offer. Eco Warrioress loves trees!

I have posted their logo on my blog (see on the left) and they will plant a tree for me. How kind ! In so doing they have helped me neutralised my blog’s carbon footprint for the next 50 years!

HURRAH!

I'm always saying 'every little bit helps' and here is a perfect example of that. Every tree counts!