Green Travel Options

"When In Rome, Be Green Like At Home":

We all like to travel. Leaving home can be both a relaxing and exciting break from our everyday lives. However, when traveling it can be easy to forget some of our better environmental habits. Traveling responsibly will not only make us feel more “green” but will often help us spend less “green” as well.

Minimizing your environmental impact and saving some money while doing it really breaks down to choices and planning. Planning certain components of your trip, such as making it a point to stay near public transit lines, and choices that you make along your travels can go a long way in keeping green. Choices include the method by which you travel, where you stay, what you eat, and your purchasing power.

Transportation
If possible, consider taking the train or bus to your destination. It will take longer, but because of the cost of fuel, especially in our current economy, you will save big. If you do fly, take public transport, shuttles and vans to and from the hotel instead of taxis. Or share taxis if possible.

Take public transport around your destination instead of renting a car. If you do rent, plan ahead and request an electric or hybrid vehicle if possible. Consider using the rented car only for those destinations that are further away, and walk to closer ones. Travel light. Lots of luggage adds up to higher fuel costs. Compare multiple airline carrier listings at websites such as http://www.onetime.com/. Additionally, there is a fancy green chauffer service. Also, think about FlyAway bus to LAX: $4 bus ride straight to/from Van Nuys, Westwood, and Union Station…

Accommodations
Do a Google search for hotels that claim to be green. Be eco-conscious when using air conditioning and heating. Don’t crank it up. Use natural light whenever possible. Open the windows instead of turning on the lights. Turn off your lights, television, and air conditioning when you leave the room. Re-use linens (editor's note: this one is up for debate).

Are they locally owned and operated? Are the staff local? A rating website such as Environmentally Friendly Hotels may give you some good leads, but be sure to check each websites’ criteria for what they mean by "Green". Want to stay on a couch / in a bedroom for free? Try Couch Surfing! Stay for free, but be willing to do the same for others. More appropriate for the lone, outgoing traveler. There are users all over the world. You don’t have to support hotel chains or spend any money, and you get connected to the local community as well!

Dining
Look for local and organic foods when possible. Avoid foods that have to be shipped over a long distance to the restaurant. A little research before you leave will help you determine what’s in season where you’re going. Do a Google search for green restaurants in the area. Find Farmer’s Markets for snacks, lunches, produce etc. Just like at home remember to bring your own reusable mug, napkins, cloth bags, no straws etc. Recycle. Even on vacation.

What You Buy
Use a digital camera and print only the photos you want. Take a moment and email “Wish you were here,” messages instead of buying and sending post cards. Include a photo you’ve personally taken. Buy locally crafted souvenirs. Instead of the “I love New York” t-shirt made in China, check out a local artisan and purchase a reminder of your trip from them.

International Travel Planning
“Take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but footprints,” as the saying goes. The first question to ask yourself is, “what are the social and political impacts of my travel on the country?” Reading up at the CIA’s World Factbook and news sources on the country, and asking around at a few online forums should give you a clear idea as to whether a country is fit to travel in or not. Corruption Rankings and Press Freedom Rankings, give a couple good gauges on the fitness of a country for travel.

The more one studies, prepares, and is clear about what to expect in an international expedition, the smoother the journey and the more conscientious-friendly the trip. Planning out environmentally responsible transportation and sleeping arrangements before setting foot in the country not only prevents last-minute compromises of one’s values but also ensures a more enjoyable and stress-free trip. It also helps to be well-versed in the scamming schemes often artfully employed by some of the locals. Forums such as Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree, or the UK’s Travellerspoint are rich with experience from travelers to the region.

More?

The Sierra Club has put together a helpful site called: "How Green is Your Getaway?"

Safe and Happy Travels!

Gas Saving Tip

Coming in from the Sierra Club there is a great tip on how to, dare we say, save gas! Check out their Driving the Speed Limit Pledge to learn more about the benefits of driving the speed limit. Thank you Linda for passing this along!

Green Home Upgrades

Energy bills rising? Consider life-cycle versus first-cost appliance comparisons here. Compliments of Gordon!

Carbon + Environmental Footprint

Check out the Green IQ Quiz: The quiz will calculate your carbon footprint as well as your overall environmental footprint. Compliments of our own Lisa Cahill...thank you Lisa!

Recent Updates (3.12.2008)

Hey all, some updates below from our fellow TP'ers:

Do Not Mail: The Petition

What if the the 97% of Junk Mail that is never read were never made in the first place? An opportunity to send a petition to both Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid is linked above...

Greening Your Car

Americans drive 2.3 Trillion Miles. There are no buses that arrive at 12601 Mulholland Drive. As an intelligent bloke (or blokette) once said, "Everyone poops." So if you have to drive now and then, might as well click on the link above to find out how you can make your own Herbie as clean as possible...

Have a great day!
The Green Team

Pick Up Stix

Hey all up at 12601, yurts one thru 6. We've got a few links that have been passed along and I'd like to highlight some of their usefulness for you on this somewhat dreary Friday. So go grab a bowl of Pick Up Stix leftovers from the fridge on the right and spend your lunch hour surfing through the links below...

Wanna know how many "Earth's" it would take to support your lifestyle? Check out American Public Media's Consumer Consequences. (Submitted by EB-H)

Clif Bar has issues the "2 Mile Challenge" to promote biking within a 2 mile radius of your home or work! Their website offers many resources for riding, including creating your own map. (Submitted by EB-H)

Dave Chameides, a local in "the business", has dedicated the next 365 days to not throwing anything away. More over, he accompanied one of GE's schools on a field trip to Puente Hills Landfill. He is featured in a recent ABC 7 clip and footage of the Landfill Trip is here. (Submitted by MP)

Ideal Bite has taken a big step in decoding the numerology of our fruit labels at the supermarket! (Submitted by EB-H)

Much more forthcoming, hope you enjoyed the links and the leftovers! As always, please feel free to pass along links to useful tidbits from across the Green Ocean that is the internet.

- The Green Team

The Green Commute

Feliz Año Nuevo Yurt Villagers! We thought it wise to start 2008 by outlining eco-friendly alternatives to the traditional drive up Mulholland. We've racked our collective brains and shaken out a few ideas to share. Below you will find the details that will enable you to hike, bike, and ride your way to 12601 Mulholland Drive knowing that you've taken the path less traveled...and the one that TreePeople encourages Angelinos to choose in their own lives each day. We hope that you enjoy our research, suggestions, and ideas. As always, please email or post additional info that you may want to share (mpalmer@treepeople.org).

Hiking Trails

Berman Trail from Franklin Canyon Park Parking Lot: from north end of the main parking lot at Franklin Canyon Park, follow trail northbound (roughly parallels Franklin Canyon Dr) to Mulholland Dr. Walk toward VIP parking lot and cross street at intersection of Mulholland and Coldwater Cny. Do not attempt to cross Mulholland where the trail meets the street. There is a blind turn along Mulholland and cars cannot see far ahead. Trail description from www.lamountains.com: Berman Trail: 1 mile to Mulholland Drive, moderate to strenuous—Allows you to hike across the Santa Monica Mountains from Franklin Canyon to Coldwater Canyon Park and Wilacre Park.

Betty Dearing Trail from Laurel Canyon/Ventura via Fryman Rd: from Laurel Canyon Blvd/Ventura Blvd bus stop walk south on Laurel Cny to Fryman Rd (0.7 mi). From Wilacre Park parking lot at intersection of Laurel Cny and Fryman Rd, walk west toward the park, through the park gate and up Betty Dearing Trail approximately 1.5 mi to the yurt village.

*Alternative option: park at Wilacre Park parking lot at Fryman Rd near Laurel Cny Bl. Daily parking is $1, which TreePeople will reimburse while the TreePeople parking lot is closed.

*Alternative option: biking this route (a portion of the trail is paved, yet steep)

Betty Dearing Trail from Laurel Canyon/Ventura via Iredell Ln: from Laurel Canyon Blvd/Ventura Blvd bus stop walk south on Laurel Cny, to Fryman Rd (south), to Iredell St west (or right) and to Iredell Ln southwest (left) (approximately 1.2 mi). From the cul-de-sac at Iredell Ln, hike Betty Dearing Trail to yurt village (approx 3/4 mi) *Alternative option: park at Wilacre Park parking lot at Fryman Rd near Laurel Cny Bl. Daily parking is $1, which TreePeople will reimburse while the TreePeople parking lot is closed.

*Note: parking is not available at Iredell Ln and is restricted on surrounding street

Betty Dearing Trail via Vantage Ave/Viewcrest Rd/Shady Oak Rd: from the intersection of Vantage Ave and Ventura Blvd (one block west of Laurel Canyon Blvd) head south on Vantage to Viewcrest Rd (0.3 mi). Head west (right) for one block, turn south (left) to Laurel Terrace Dr, and then head west (right) again on Viewcrest (0.4 mi). Head south (left) on Shady Oak Rd. About 200 feet along Shady Oak, look for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy sign on the left. Follow the trail to the junction with the Betty Dearing Trail. Turn right on the Betty Dearing Trail and follow to TreePeople.

*Note: parking is not available on Shady Oak Rd., but may be available on nearby streets.

*Note: This trail should be avoided during or just following a heavy storm.

Betty Dearing Trail via Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook: from the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook (west of Laurel Pass Ave, at approximately 8401 Mulholland Drive) follow the Betty Dearing Trail east about 100 feet, and at the junction take the trail on the left to start heading west. Follow Betty Dearing Trail toward Iredell Lane, to the cul-de-sac and back on the Betty Dearing Trail toward TreePeople. Approximately 2.5 miles one-way.

*Note: parking is available at the overlook.

Bus

Metro operates numerous bus lines in the southern edge of the San Fernando Valley. Many of these lines provide access to hikers and cyclists headed to TreePeople and other locations in Coldwater Canyon, Franklin Canyon, Wilacre and Fryman Canyon Parks.

The fare is $1.25 for a single bus ride. Transfers are no longer available; however, a day pass offering unlimited rides on Metro’s bus and rail lines is available for $5. Most buses are equipped with 2 bike racks, although these are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bicycles are allowed on Metro Rail with some restrictions during peak hours.

See http://www.metro.net/default.asp for bus routes and timetables.

The bus lines nearest to TreePeople include:

1. 150 Rapid – runs along Ventura Bl with frequent stops
2. 240 Rapid – in the vicinity of Coldwater and Laurel Canyons, line 240 offers the same stops as line 150
3. 218 Rapid – runs along Laurel Canyon Bl approximately every 20 to 30 minutes; stops at Laurel Cny Bl and Mulholland Dr
4. 750 Rapid – stops at major intersections including Ventura Bl/Coldwater Cny Ave and Ventura Bl/Laurel Cny Bl.

Biking

A commute in the life of a TreePerson

I live in Koreatown. I commute to TreePeople by taking the subway, bus and my bike. It takes me a total of one hour to get to work. First I ride from Western and Olympic to the Wilshire and Western Purple Line. I transfer to the north bound Red Line at Wilshire and Vermont and get off at the Universal City train station. There I can take the 750 Rapid Bus but since the Day Pass went up from $3 to $5, I just buy a one way ticket.

Most times I skip the bus and ride my bike west on Ventura Blvd. I make a left at Laurel Canyon Blvd, a right on Fryman Canyon Rd, another right on Iredell Rd. and stay left at the fork.

This is where it gets very hard. It is very steep and sometimes I end up zig-zaging all the way up. When the road ends, a fire lane starts, and I take that all the way to the park. I like to get to the park this way because I get to read on the subway and have my coffee while on the go. There is very little to no traffic up from Fryman; it is very relaxing.

Going home is the best part. I have my pick of three ways:

1) North down Coldwater Canyon Blvd; it's like a roller coaster. Then Ventura Blvd east to the subway.
2) East on Mulholland Dr. to Laurel Canyon Blvd to Fairfax Avenue is the fastest.
3) South down Franklin Canyon Drive to Santa Monica Blvd using the bike lane is the safest.

You can get more information at www.bikemetro.com.