Control Climate Change

It’s time for a transportation transformation.

What if you could have a car with all the power and speed you’d expect, but that’s also clean, quiet and doesn’t need gas? Considering the price of gas these days and instability in the Middle East, who wouldn’t want to ditch a gas-guzzler in favor of a better alternative?

Since 2001 responsibletravel.com has made it possible for tourists to choose between tour companies and hotels based on how green they are. It has never been possible to choose between airlines on this basis - something we would very much like to see happen. However, you can now choose between different planes within the Flybe fleet on this basis - which is a step in right direction....

Date: 8/13/2007 to 8/16/2007
Location: Denver, CO

An interactive course designed to explore strategic energy planning and energy options to meet the long term energy goals of your tribe. The workshop is focused on tribal energy, economic development, housing, and organizational needs leading toward sustainable tribal communities. The course is offered free of charge to tribal members and Bureau of Indian Affairs employees. Travel and per diem are the participant's responsibility. Please see the Web site for an agenda and registration information.

Date: 10/2/2007 to 10/4/2007
Location: Denver, CO

Business and legal frameworks are necessary elements of developing and sustaining renewable energy projects. This workshop is designed to identify business structure options, financing methods, and provide an understanding of the institutional tools needed to bring projects to reality. The course is offered free of charge for tribal members and Bureau of Indian Affairs employees. Travel and per diem are the participant's responsibility.

I'm just back from a wonderfully relaxing week in Cephalonia - we stayed in a lovely renovated old stone cottage owned and run by a local family. After an earthquake in 1953 most of the old buildings on the Island were destroyed and have not been re-built. Apart from tracking down a farmer high in the hills to sell us some wonderful honey one of the highlights of the trip was watching two mating loggerhead turtles from a waterside taverna... Tourists and turtles have a difficult relationship and you will see here http://www.responsibletravel.com/Copy/Copy900691.htm

I'm pleased to say we've won this Award from http://www.travelmole.com/ for the second time - hurrah!

Last week I read that a survey of 15,000 hoteliers revealed that Brits were one of the worst behaved tourists in the world in terms of tipping and dress. Today I've read about a US tourist who was arrested walking through Nuremberg, he told police he thought there was nothing wrong so maybe we are not so bad afterall!

Get 160 mpg at a cost of just 30 cents per “gallon”!

Step-by-step guide to ecological housekeeping.

Open the window for fresh air - without bringing in pollen and dust.

Long renowned for superior fuel economy, but notorious for foul exhaust, diesel cars have never been widely popular in the United States. But that soon may change as a new generation of “clean” diesel vehicles come down the pike. These won’t be the smoke-spewing, smelly, noisy and underpowered engines of the ’70s. And by the end of this decade, we’ll have diesel cars that meet the same stringent emission standards as those for gasoline vehicles.

Date: 8/28/2007 to 8/31/2007
Location: Boulder, CO

The Wind Energy Applications Training Symposium (WEATS) is an internationally-acclaimed hands-on workshop on wind energy first launched in 1988. Participants observe large and small wind systems in operation in the field and meet with leaders in the U.S. wind energy industry and get acquainted with Native American tribal members and participants from other countries. They develop useful contacts and practical expertise that will help them bring a wind energy project to fruition and ensure it operates successfully and profitably for years.

WEATS is designed for project planners, developers, utility officials, and engineers directly involved with energy projects, who are considering wind energy development and want to learn more about wind energy technology applications.

The seminar provides participants with practical knowledge and analytical tools for conducting project pre-feasibility and identification analysis, and implementation of wind energy projects large and small. Participants learn from experts and business leaders about the capabilities of the technology, and about economic and financial aspects of sustainable project development.

Date: 9/10/2007 to 9/11/2007
Location: Lansing, MI

Invited speakers will describe the world-wide and national market potential for utility-scale wind turbines and system components, Michigan's capacity for production of wind systems, engineering and siting challenges, development opportunities, land use issues such as noise, shadowflicker, birds and bats, property line setbacks, zoning and planning policies. Display booths and posters will be featured during networking breaks. Co-sponsorships with recognition are available.