Traveling Green
We're planting 80,000 trees...as a first step
Travel is certainly healthy for our planet. It removes our cultural blinders, challenges our "self-evident truths" and builds people-to-people relationships that, two-by-two, add up to an important force for peace, justice and level-headed thinking in a world that sorely needs it.
But travel also takes its toll on our planet. If you want to go to Europe, you'll get there on jet fuel, releasing climate-changing CO2 into our atmosphere. Hopefully new technologies — and a government that's willing to provide the courageous and honest leadership that this challenge merits — will lead to greener mobility soon.
In the meantime, we at Europe Through the Back Door are doing something today to help offset the CO2 generated by our 13,000 tour members flying to Europe in 2008: we've donated $80,000 to American Forests to plant 80,000 trees for us. American Forests will be planting these trees in regions that have been deforested due to fires, storms, diseases, and other natural disasters. In addition to the global-warming benefits, these new trees will greatly improve the local ecosystems where they are planted.
We know this is just a first step. If you have other ideas to help us travel greener, we'd love to hear from you!
Planting trees to cut emmissions is a crock of B S. I know it's PC today to buy into the Global Warming religion, but there is simply no proof there is G W. Earth goes through cycles that is caused by the sun - not SUV's or jet planes. Al Gore is "NUT". Don't buy into his delutions. You offer a great service and you should not feel guilty about any aspect of it.
Alan Osborne
Valrico, Fl.
Very responsible. Congratulations!
Dorothy Domish
Chico, CA
This is a wonderful and impressive first step - congratulations. Those ziplock baggies that the TI's want us to use in air travel bother me - how many thousands of them are out there! Maybe you could use your influence and come up with a Rick Steves sort of "baggie" that would be acceptable to the powers that be - see-through mesh, maybe? (On the same order as your spacesaver mesh bags?) It could be small but potentially effective step in the right direction.
Alice Chambers
Park Forest IL
I am so impressed with your committment to make a difference in our world. Thank You for your inspiration.
JoAnne Funch
Minneapolis, MN
WOW Ya made me cry. I was so happy to read about the trees. Here in the Northwest we love trees. But so many just chop them down. Thanks so much for donating. A true earth saver!
CJackson
Tacoma WA
Awesome, awesome! I've always been impressed with your charity work and I have to say this is another fantastic move. Good for you and THANK YOU!!!
Dawn
Minneapolis
I love the tree planting idea! It is my #2 favorite way to create Sustainability. What is #1, you ask? It is Renewable Energy. If we buy green tags from a reputable source (say, the nonprofit that originated the concept, Bonneville Environmental Foundation), money goes to the creation of new renewable energy facilities. By building up our fledgling industry of clean energy generators, we can ultimately account for most of the non-transportation carbon emissions that exist in our current way of life. My solar array, for example, has generated over 66 MEGAWATT HOURS of clean energy since it's installation. That's roughly 20,000 lbs. of greenhouse gases that DID NOT go into our atmosphere. When we finally decide that it is important to do so, we will all find a way to build a new energy paradigm from clean, renewable resources. Our grandchildren will thank us!
Barry Russell
Grants Pass, Oregon
Bravo! Another fantastic reason to travel with Rick Steves! I hope others follow in your footsteps of responsibility and this becomes the travel norm. I want to suggest that you consider suggesting that any of your travel partners donate their unused currency to American Forests via ETBD, or for those of us who would like to show their appreciation to the tour guide for their services and shared travel knowledge(they are not permitted to take tips)have on hand info to make tribute gifts to AF in their honor. I would participate in either or both opportunities in a heartbeat! Keep on being green!
Mary Ann Mazur
Edison, NJ
Wonderful to hear that you are taking this important step to help neutralize the effects of flying. Not flying is too much to ask travellers, but we can help mitigate the effects. This year for the first time I also bought carbon offsets for my flying.
Judith Umbach
Calgary
I was awakened to the negative effects of jet fuel just as I became interested in traveling further distances. So glad you've taken a generous position to show how positive action can help to offset harm to the environment.
Kathy Krug
Old Bridge, NJ
Don't let the naysayers discourage you. The majority of the scientific evidence supports the concern for global warming. If it turns out that there is no global warming we will still have more forests and cleaner air, but if we do nothing, and it turns out that there is global warming, all signs indicate that the consequences are very serious.
Sara Hunter
Utah
Great job Rick & company.It is real refreshing to see someone giving instead of just taking from our planet.Thanks from my family and the rest of the world.
Charlie Luce
Lake George,New York
Thank you so much for this first step in the right direction. Now if you could offer a way for those of us not going on a Rick Steve's trip (but using your knowledge to travel) to off set our CO2 contributions that would be great. Any suggestions other than American Forests?
Elizabeth Marks
Duluth, mn
I think this is a great way to contribute...Thanks so much...I was just recently thinking about how are we going to stop our daily footprint and use of fuels and manufactured "things" for living and transporting...even air plane flights which I had to honestly admit I'm not ready yet to give up. Thanks for taking this step for trees....it makes me feel less guilty about air flight...right now.
Linda Lapetino
Los Angeles, CA
Hooray for ETBD's contribution to plant trees to counteract our unintentional global damage during air flights. Rick's advice to pack light has a new meaning - less fuel required to carry our luggage!
D. Johnson
Phoenix, Arizona
Hello Rick and Staff, How wonderful to read what you're doing to help the enviornment! I haven't participated in a tour (although hope to some day), but I watch your show weekly and already have enjoyed the helpful, fun and informative information that you present on your show. It always appears that you have a great amount of integrity behind your work and what you have to share with your viewers, and this "first - step" that you're taking to help the enviorment reinforces that. I don't have any other ideas at the moment to help travel greener. If I come up with something I would be more than happy to pass it on your way. But in the meantime, as a nature/enviornment lover, it would feel good to donate some money to the American Forests cause that you're supporting. Would you suggest that one could do that through you or just go directly to the American Forests organization? Thanks for your help and all that you do! Best to you, Heather Fraelick
Heather Fraelick
Chicago, IL
I really appreciated hearing about the tree donation! I remember my first trip to Europe in the 70's, as an ecology minded hippie, I had pangs of guilt about flying and using all that fuel. That was in 1973 and I am constantly amused that it has taken the US this long to come around again to caring about the impact of travel on the environment. I would welcome donation bins at airports, like some places have to donate foreign money, to do things like this. Good for you ETBD. I hope ETBD continues to do things like used recycled paper in their publications etc. I noticed at a recent travel seminar in Edmonds, there wasn't encouragement to recycle flyers for the lecture etc. you could have recycle bins in the Edmonds theatre and in your Travel Store.
Chere
Kelso, WA
I saw American Forests' press release. The calculation they've provided is a bit misguided. Do you know what species, what location, at what altitude, and at what survival rate the 80,000 trees will be planted? You might find that you'll need a lot more trees to offset 13,000 round trips. What you are doing is great! it is the right thing to do. But many folks question American Forests' generalities when it comes to carbon calculations. Please plant trees just because it's the right thing to do rather than because you're trying to calculate specific offsets according to non-specific planting projects.
treeguy
Petaluma, CA
Thanks so much for not only being concerned carbon based transportation but actaully doing something so positive. I hope it sets a bar for other travel companies to meet and for participants in RS tours.
elaine emmi
salt lake city and the world
I think it is wonderful. And I look forward to many more "green" solutions to clean up our environment. Well done!
Ryan Hicks
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Great! Love the trees. Now please push my favorite way to save energy by carrying 1 or 2 plastic bags with you and using them when making your small purchases instead of getting a new bag which you'll only throw out. Saves the petroleum products used in making plastic and the energy to manufacturer it too.
Joan
New Jersey
Thanks Rick for planting those trees. What a good idea. I love your books and have used them in travel to England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Germany,Switzerland and have never been disappointed. I will send some tree money too to American Forests for my travels. Thanks for helping the world with your books and travel and now trees. Elizabeth Landerholm
Elizabeth Landerholm
Oak Park, Illinois
Great to be doing this, Rick. Love your show on PBS. I work for a company named Gaiam/Real Goods. Can check us out at www.realgoods.com . Happy eco-travels! Jerry
Jerry Wrobel
Denver, Colorado, USA
Hi Rick. I enjoyed meeting you at your talk in Pasadena a few months ago. Great idea about the trees. Tourists (unfortunately) are doing more to damage ancient monuments than the wars and errosions of decades before. Do you have a program in your organization whereby we tourists can donate and thereby plant more trees? Keep up the good work. Cheers. Jann
Jann Boinus
Los Angeles
You made me cry, too, because you bought the G.W. B.S. from Mr. Voodoo Science Gore - but why let facts interfere with a good company. Planting trees - great idea, love them too, but give me a break on the politically correct fuzzy thinking stuff. If you really believe it shut down the travel business and ride a donkey or bike to your next job.
John Stuart
Denver, CO
Thank you, Rick! When you see a way you can help, you don't hesitate to step forward. You've given us another reason to respect and admire you and to be proud to travel with you. Another way each of us Americans could do our part is to eat less and lose some weight so that it won't take quite so much jet fuel to carry us. Also, we can recycle our used Rick Steves travel books to the nearest library so that others can enjoy them too.
Thea Weedman
Encinitas, CA
I love Rick Steves' travel (and life) philosophies. Thanks for the consideraton to the environment! To Alan Osborne: We're "buying" into SCIENCE, not Al Gore!
Jordan Hunt
Kansas City, MO
We don't have to give up travel and ride a donkey to work as one person suggested. Please guys, quit being so pessimistic. Climate change is a reality and whatever we can do to stop that is a wonderful thing. I am so pleased that Rick Steves is trying to go carbon-neutral and that is one of many reasons why I choose to support his business instead of others. In general, we won't have to change many of the things we do everyday (drive, fly, use electricity, etc)if we just commit to finding renewable energy sources and reuse, reduce, and recycle. So, quit complaining about the "voodoo science man" and commit to living in a responsible way. I am 21 years old and about to embark on my third trip to Europe thanks to Rick Steves helping build my passion of different cultures and languages. I love what you do and its obvious that you love what you do too! I am now committed to traveling as green as I can from now on!! Thanks!
Jordan Hunt
Kansas City, MO
I think this is great. Travel is important and more people should get out of the country and see how great the rest of the world is. I just returned from France. For this trip I bought a TerraPass to offset the round-trip from San Francisco to Paris. It's more than a way to "assuage liberal guilt", as I recently heard a commentator say. If you donate to the right groups, the carbon offsets do something useful while allowing the great benefits that our country and our world receives from the interactions of those who travel.
Melinda M Collins
California
You've just given me yet another reason to be happy to be a past and future tour member. I've been actively trying to balance my everyday life's impact on the environment. Now you've help me do that with my travel as well. Thanks Rick!
D McReynolds
Seattle, WA
This is awesome, embracing the culture of medieval Europe in buying an Indulgence for the 'sin' of polluting!
Mike Greene
Yes, hooray for you. That is really great. Reforestation can begin right next door. My daughter in Austin Texas dug through miles of red tape to put fruit trees in a public housing project. She trained residents in tree planting and tree care and has an ongoinging monitoring system in place. So join Rick even if only one tree at a time
Barbara Kay
TEXAS
Yes!!! I support this step 100%.
Your Travel work has done so much to break down the boundaries people have put up between each other.
This is a step toward enhancing the bond between humanity and our beautiful and life-sustaining planet.
Keep up the good work! Bonita
Bonita Wutzke
Kirkland, WA
This is great news and thank you for this wonderful program. Will you be continuing this planting program in the future?
Note to Alan Osborne: You are simply wrong for so many reasons.
Christine Nora
Santa Rosa
C'mon, relax and enjoy your travels and the cultures you immerse yourself in - thanks to Rick's life-long work. What he does with his profits is his prerogative!
Now, if you truly have an "open mind", watch this movie that was shown on BBC: stage6.divx.com/user/krahosk/video/1174924/The-Great-Global-Warming-Swindle
Now read these articles (won't hurt, I promise): //www.technologyreview.com/Energy/13830/ //www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/5/14/161152.shtml //epw.senate.gov/pressitem.cfm?party=rep&id=264777 //globalwarminghoax.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/green-myths-on-global-warming-%E2%80%94-debunked/ (from above link) "There are nearly 18,000 signatures from scientists worldwide on a petition called The Oregon Petition which says that there is no evidence for man-made global warming theory nor for any impact from mankind’s activities on climate."
Google is a dangerous tool in the hands of an Engineer such as me.
John Stuart
Denver
I am glad you have done this. Thank you for donating and thank you for the example you are setting for me.
Connie Zelinsky
California
I am reminded of Joyce Kilmer, who is buried in France. Thanks, Rick and company, for your efforts. No matter your stand on global warming, we who inhabit Mother Earth will enjoy the benefits of those 80,000 trees, one way or the other.
Sharon
Texas
to plant trees is always good!
depending on the kind of tree it's lifespan will be 100 years and more. a majority of the 80.000 trees planted will never reach maturity. in the first 10 years the trees will not store much co2. Many trees will burn ...
"We are planting 80,000 trees...as a first step" ... is correct. If you want to counterbalance air-travel co2 emission seriously, you would have to plant up to 8,000,000 trees now or plant about 240,000 trees now and make your 13,000 trips 50 years thereafter.
wolf zinck
st. goar, germany
I think your decision to have 80,000 trees planted is wonderful. I would even be willing to contribute my share, as I do feel guilty about putting all that CO2 out there. It's just one more reason to take one of your tours as opposed to others. Thanks.
Karen Anderson
Palo Alto, California
I'm glad to see Rick responding to the climate situation. As travelers who have followed Rick's approach to travel since the early 90's we also feel the conflict between our love of travel and the jet fuel we use. But we have learned more about how to simplify and make use of resources from seeing our other countries use theirs. Please keep this dialogue going. We all need to be creative. I like the trees idea!
glen husak
Houston
I, too, congratulate Rick Steves and ETBD for taking this inaugeral step toward neutralizing the affects of travel flying. ETBD donated $80,000 to plant 80,000 trees. If my math isn't too rusty, that comes out at $1 per tree. If it takes six trees to neutralize the CO2 from one flight by one person, that's only $6 per person. How about this: in addition to this effort by ETBD, let's each of us donate $6 over and above the cost of our trip to the same purpose. Surely another $6 won't even be noticed by a traveler paying for a round-trip flight to Europe plus food and accommodations for a couple of weeks or more. What's a measly $6 more? Next to nothing. But it can have a great deal of impact--if you view it in the grand scheme of things. If each of us donated that $6 each time we flew, the 13,000 of us would create another $80,000. We could actually double the investment made by ETBD. Any takers??
Karl
If we throw the cardon dioxide into the air in 2008 and it takes the lifetime of six trees to remove it (lets assume thats fifty years)....are we not in carbon deficite for 49 of those 50 years as we repay the carbon dept?
I applaude your efforts, but not your logic.
Wayne
Cuba, MO
Once again, you are an inspiration to me, Rick! Whether global warming exists or not... Whether planting 80,000 trees makes up for 13,000 airline trips to Europe or not... How can planting 80,000 trees be a bad thing?!! As far as I can tell, it can only make the earth a nicer place to live, so THANK YOU! And thank you for opening my eyes to new ideas, and for helping me learn the humility it takes to be a citizen of the world!
Kay Parsons
Sacramento, CA
Rick: I would also recommend what others mention - encourage your customers to make voluntary contributions, when they buy, or when they're along on your tours. Have your tour leaders take up a collection. And please consider other forms of green travel, such as contributing to alternative energy. Writers noted lots of variables are left out, like benefit calculations, species planted (native etc.). There are other options besides American Forests. If tree planting is what you want to promote, I recommend Trees, Water and People's carbon offset. They are a great organization in Ft. Collins.
To Mr. Osborne: If the causes of global warming are our recent over production of greenhouse gases, why wouldn't we still want to clean our air and water, and protect, farmland and forests and all resources we need so we can live healthy lives?
Jonathan Freedman
Seattle
Rick, what about extending this out to all your fans and have them, if they choose, to name a tree in memory of someone, and send in a donation for that particular tree. Just a thought, they have been doing this in Israel for years. When my Mother died, they planted about 50 trees in Israel in her name. Just a thought. Fr. George+
Fr. George McBride
Hackensack, NJ
I've read that traveling light (like Rick recommends) actually helps the airlines use less fuel to transport us. The less unnecessary weight on the plane, the less energy used and less carbon produced. Little things can add up.
Glenda
Texas
Thanks for planting 80K trees in the US, but what about other places like, Europe, S.Amer, Africa, Asia etc??? Maybe other tour associated business's will pick up this green cause and start doing that in other continents. Good luck and again thanks, Mark
Mark Curtis
Amma, WV 25177 USA
Good work.
Brendan Woodward
Woodinville
I remember when we had our first child, trying to do the "right thing" and buying cloth diapers, only to find out that, depending on where you live, the true pollution cost of electricity and water for washing cloth diapers, etc, it may or may not have been the right thing.
Planting trees is like that too. Going "green" is more complicated than it looks. Not all the tree planting efforts are a good idea. It depends on where they are planted, type of tree, type of follow up (watering, arborists, etc.) needed, and a host of other factors.
Still, good effort, and good luck as we learn more about the scope of our climate problem, and the possible ways to help.
Liz
denver
I commend Rick and the E.T.B.D. company for being not just advocates for protecting our environment but for also "putting money where your mouth is". We have to believe that every small step we take as individuals for our environment will make a difference. Will planting trees alone make a huge difference? I don't pretend to know the science, but I do know that it's the right thing to do to be stewards of our planet. I tuly hope our government will come around. Protecting the environment doesn't have to be bad for our economy. Keep up the great work at E.T.B.D.
Gary Hoffman
Baldwin, WI
This is fabulous! Thanks for your ongoing commitment to the planet. Proper stewardship of the planet should transcend political ideology. We have a long way to go (apparently) before everyone wakes up and realizes that we've done (and continue to do) horrible things to our planet. Thanks for trying to do something positive.
Jeff Cole
Pittsburgh, PA
"This is awesome, embracing the culture of medieval Europe in buying an Indulgence for the 'sin' of polluting!
Mike Greene"
Ah Mike, I thought for a moment I was the only one who saw the irony. Let's assuage our guilt and keep on travelling.
Robin
California
This action certainly enhances my respect for you, your information, and your company a great deal more. Not that I ever felt uncomfortable with your advice or company, but this action reassures me of your ethical ideals.
One thing I think you already do is to advocate eating local on any trip--and, it is a fantastic way to experience any area.
Thanks for all your advice in the past. I had a fantastic first trip to Europe (Germany) in 2006 based largely upon your advice.
Janet Fiore
Kankakee, Illinois
Thats a great idea! Keep speaking out on this, Rick.
Tom G
Philly, PA
When traveling anywhere it is a good idea to take small cloth bags with you for when you go shopping. Especially in Germany, if you need a bag in a store for your purchases you have to buy it. By carrying small cloth bags you will help the environment by not adding to the landfill.
Mary Quinn
Ocean Springs, MS
This is a wonderful idea!
LS
Wisconsin
THANK YOU for the 80,000 trees, Rick. This is a wonderful idea.
Kristin Burns
San Jose, CA
This is such a great step. I there any way to reduce the emmisions once on the ground? I know the buses are a staple of the tour, but could some of the legs be done on the train, or could bike rental be used to move around withing a city? Also, the tours are proud of the fact that the buses are not full (which we aprreciate for the room) but could there be a middle ground for the size of the vehicle? Thank you for getting this started
Jessica
Minneapolis, MN
Thanks for doing this. Hope more travelers will strive to be better stewards of this amazing earth God created!
Karlee
Seattle
I guess Rick made this decision before he knew that NASA had revised their erroneous data about average US temperature. It now shows that 1934, not 1998, was the hottest year on record and that more years in the 30's were hotter than those in the last 10. Here's the link: http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/graphs/Fig.D.pdf
Was it all of the SUV's and airplanes in the 30's that caused this warming or was it all of the trees planted by CCC workers that reversed it? Or was it, as it probably is now, part of the normal climate variability that has been going on forever?
Jeff
And then there's this from http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2005/12/69914 "Forget planting trees to negate your SUV's contribution to global warming -- according to Stanford University atmospheric scientist Ken Caldeira, forests in the wrong location can actually make the Earth hotter.
Plants absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, so scientists and policy makers have long assumed new forest growth helps combat global warming. At an American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco earlier this month, however, Caldeira rolled out a provocative new finding: Trees may be good at capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but their dark leaves are also very efficient at soaking up sunlight, which is later released as heat. At certain latitudes, the net effect of these two processes is warming, rather than cooling.
John
Well done! Guilt free travel~I love it! Leave it to Rick Steves to be out ahead of the pack. While you are helping offset the CO2, you are educating your fellow travelers and readers as well. Keep up the good work!
Kathy Searles
Pleasant Hill, California
Good idea. How about planting trees to help stop the spread of the African desert? I understand that the desert advances rapidly. There are probably trees and plants of some type that would resist the advance while helping to clean the air at the same time.
Bob Laramee
Bakersfield, CA
WWW.SolarPanel-Rental.com Super idea, and great action! Every little bit helps. Everyone in the U.S. can sign up to lock in todays elactrical rates, and use solar inexpensively. See the video at www.SolarPanel-Rental.com Sign up, and show the industry that we will take action.
Michael s Gross
Bucks County PA(Philly area)
A greater impact with bonus to Europe travelers would be to plant trees in,say, the Highlands of Scotland and anywhere in Greece, European areas originally thickly forested. I don't understand why Europeans don't reforest areas which were originally forested and restore their ecosystems and heritage. Rick and his travelers could encourage reforestation in Europe and help develop ecotourism in the Old World. A good hook to distinguish Rick's travelers from all others. However, planting trees anywhere is a good thing. Go Rick!
Katherine O'Neil
Vancouver WA
While I agree that this planting effort is admirable, even greater benefits could be achieved by encouraging governments & enterprises like those in Brazil to offset the negative effects of their deforestation. Deserts are in the making.
Joseph
State College, PA
I think you should consider not serving beef at any of your dinners. It has been documented that beef consumption is the single most cause of ozone depletion.
Here's why, cows eat then they poop. The eat again, they poop again. All of this methane gas causes more ozeone depletion than any other single thing.
There are no credible scientists that can dispute that.
Joe LaMoy
Cumming, GA
Very good news! Just to comment on the siplock baggies another person commented on: There are clear, zippered cosmetic bags that work just as well, and of course you reuse them over and over again. I flew in March and in June and had no trouble with airport security.
Jennifer Didio
Bremerton, WA
A good way to not pollute the planet is find an alternative to Jet liners. Most scientists have commented that it is not possible to automatically make-up for Carbon emissions by simply planting trees.
Ameer Ali
United Kingdom
What a wonderful idea!! Maybe in the future you could help the country of Greece reforest their burned areas...what shame for that poor country!!
Carrie Valentin
Lake Tapps WA
We very much enjoyed the Greece tour in May of this year and are heartsick over the devastation of the olive groves in the mountain villages of Greece. They were not just trees - they were a way of life and a cultural identity. Could the 80,000 trees include some for Greece? If it's too late this year, how about next?
Theresa and Mike Haire
Petaluma CA
Planting trees is one thing. I'll REALLY be impressed when all of Rick's travel books are printed using 100% recycled paper.
Joseph
Texas
I believe you all have really lost your minds and you really believe that planting the trees is going to change the CO2. Its just a feel good thing to do and while you're at it, I suppose all of you walk or ride your bike to work and to get around since you wouldn't want to drive a car. And what about all the suppliers to ship all the Rick Steves products to your location. I mean this is ridiculous. Rick, just stop travelling because you and your company have contributed so much to "global warning", you really should be ashamed of yourselves. I don't know how you all can sleep at night. I love your sentence about peace, justice and level headed thinking. You need to start taking ETTBD to the Middle East and really, since you are that serious about travelling greener, then you need to STOP travelling and STOP contributing to global warming. ps, you're obviously making $$ since you've got 80,000 to donate. pps. I'm FLYING to Germany next week Rick, just think of all that CO2 released
brenda ingram
oregon
Yo, Adventurer, move about the world at will, but lose the suitcase full of absurd guilt and meaningless moral preening.
Margaret Davis
Monterey, California
Maybe some of those trees you are donating could be OLIVE TREES to Greece to help in their terrible losses to fire!
Elizabeth Patsis
Georgia
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DONATE $100 FOR OLIVE TREES FOR GREECE. THE FIRES HAVE DEVASTATED THE OLIVE GROVES THERE.
JOHN PATSIS
GEORGIA
Visit Europe, mostly Italy, every year since 1985. Your guide books are the best. This tree planting idea is excellent. There are still some that believe that there is not a problem, the same ones believe that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, but climate change is real, and your response is, well...responsible. Thanks.
Denny Shaffer
Fayetteville, NC
I knew I liked you, Rick! Not only does your travel philosophy attempt to bring the world closer by encouraging personal experiences with those we meet while traveling, but now also doing what you can to keep our impact on the natural world down to a minimum. I so appreciate your outlook...I wish more people shared it (but I bet most of the "Rick Steves-ists" out there do :) ). Thank you for your foresight and dedication to doing the right thing.
Lisa Waisath
Federal Way, WA
A very caring idea. I hope American Forests looks beyond the boundaries of the US and contributes to reforestation of areas in Europe devastated by fire this summer. Replanting olive trees in Greece is a great idea, they are so important to the local economies there.
Terri Shaw
Upland, CA
While the trees will absorb CO2 while alive, at some point in their existance, they will die, decompose or be burned. This process will then release the CO2 that was orginally stored within them. This sort of reminds me of what the Catholic Church referred to as Indulgences. A better way is to push for more efficient transportation and reduce our careless waste of energy.
Will Kaefer
Larkspur CA
Thank you, THANK YOU! Just one more reason why I admire and respect ETBD--you take responsibility for your actions, and lead the way in making the world a better place, both environmentally and politically.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Thank you, Rick Steves and ETBD, for leading the way!
Suzy Ball
Seattle WA, USA
What about all the previous years your company has been in business. Was CO2 released then? I think you should donate much more to counter-act all the damage that your tours have caused our environment. The politically correct thing to do Rick is close down your company and then you would really be carbon neutral.
R Krueger
Aliso Viejo CA
It takes people like you to help the rest of us learn how to help ourselves. Thanks for doing the math for me. Now, every time I buy an airline ticket, I will know how many trees to plant.
B Kiehn
Sacramento CA
Planting 80,000 Trees!!! Great Idea!!! Good Job!!!
Now lets work on all those one-time use water bottles!!!
Gary G. Schempp / http://www.GaryGS1.com
Gary G. Schempp
New Jersey, USA
it is very good job for next generation, we save our nature and we will get pure H20
Samudrapu R S K
Hyderabad IND
Here's an idea to travel greener. Don't buy the guidebooks new that wastes trees. Use the copy at the library or get a used copy from a friend. Then read this webpage to write in updates on the sites you want to see in the margins or just make mental notes and really save paper.
Kathryn Grogman
Los Angeles
Here's an idea to travel greener. Don't buy the guidebooks new. That wastes trees. Use the copy at the library or get a used copy from a friend. Then read this webpage to write in updates on the sites you want to see in the margins or just make mental notes and really save paper.
Kathryn Grogman
Los Angeles
Bravo, Rick. Have you ever thought of including eco-service on your European tours? What if your groups contributed a day of service in Europe by picking-up garbage along a beach or forest, or planting trees. Just a thought.
Aaron Rose
Brigham Young University
Ignore the nay sayers. I believed in global warming long before I had ever heard of Al Gore and being a Washington native have always been concerned with deforestation. Planting trees to help the environment is something I grew up with. Congratulations on being people of action.
Erin
NY
Rick, why not push for good, quick, rail travel, all the way down I-75, and all the way across the middle of the U.S., with safe waiting stations for the passenters, and shuttle access to motels and car rentals for using in their city of destination. That would cut down on soo many cars burning fuel. Our rail system for travelers is still in the dark ages compared to Europe's rail travel.
Elaine Phillips
Piqua OH
Sounds great. How about hooking up with one of your Greek hosts and adding a tree planting day as part of your Greece tour. People could leave something of themselves and accelerate the effort to replant the Peloponnese Peninsula. Was there in 1996 during the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympics and LOVED teh forest there. Sorry to hear what has happened.
Clare Z
Fire Ravaged CA
Having grown up on the mostly treeless (naturally) high plains of Texas, I am one who loves trees & forests and their beauty. I used to count myself as an environmentalist but that title has garnered such a negative conotation lately due to interference from political corectness, fear mongering and power grabbing that I have to say I am a conservationist. That is, one who believes in using our natural resources, but using them wisely -I hate waste. So I appluad Rick's effort. However, reason needs to prevail in the discussion on "global warming". Amidst this discussion, one shows such reason, thanks for your comments John Stuart. Another article of interest can be found at http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis/archive/issue.asp?year=2007&month=08. Frankly I can't concur with Al Gore and his misinformation. Let's be wise folks and not let the fearmongers legislate us or the world economy into a pursuit that is a folly. Lets use what we have wisely and pass it on to our kids.
Kelly R
Abilene, Texas
I like trees. As long as the trees are alive they absorb CO2, provide shade and habitat for woodland animals, and look nice. However when they die, they release mot of that back into the atmosphere. Please make sure that they will be around for a while -- hearty native species in areas with good rainfall.
Another idea that you might consider to help reduce emissions on your tours is to minimize bus use. For instance, we left Haarlem and went to Bacharach by bus. Why not train? It might not be AS comfortable, but the train was going there anyway. No need for a private coach. Side excursions from home towns could possibly be done via a fleet of hybrid/diesel vans instead of via coach.
Keep up the good work.
Todd Burr
Hollywood, MD
so many dupes, so little time. so much money to be made on the ignorant and gullible.
joe
san diego
Planting trees is an important first step in helping reduce the effects of air travel. However, because trees take years to be able to "work" at their full capacity, planting trees is considered a carbon "loan" solution, rather than an actual offset. There is a company called Offsetters at www.offsetters.ca (and there may be an American equivalent if that is important to you) that helps you calculate the carbon emissions from each flight. You then pay a pre-calculated percentage and those funds go towards supporting eco projects both domestically and internationally. Because your funds go directly to projects that are currently underway, the carbon offsetting is much more direct that planting trees.
I think your books and website are wonderful and I support all attempts to reduce your company's environmental footprint that you have taken so far. But I think we can always do more.
Cheers from Canada.
Liza
Canada
Show by example :)
Giget
California
Kudos! Travelers -- especially Americans --- should show that they care. By buying and planting trees, we serve informally as diplomats, and ecotourists can do alot to ameliorate our reputation these waning days of the Bush administration.
Democrats Abroad Rome Chapter gifted 20 olive (think: dove from Ark) to the City of Rome. It was the first of our "Democrats Think Green" series of environmental activies. We will plant them in the spring.
Lisa Finerty Chair Democrats Abroad Rome Chapter
lisa finerty
Rome and Umbria
Great idea. I've wondered what I could do to offset the CO2 of flying, and now I know. Thanks!
Michael
Seattle
Great to see that Rick Steve's is trying to do something to counter the negative effects of travel.
Very interesting to see the people still claiming this is B.S. It's healthy to challenge something - but read up on the facts and say why you dispute it.
I have read many articles, and questioned some of the scientists on this issue directly. If you don't believe in science, then there is no convincing you. If you do believe in science, then look into it for yourself - don't just dismiss it.
The evidence is now overwhelming that the earth is warming, and it is not due to natural causes.
Rob
Boulder, CO
To plant a tree is a worthy deed. We know though that those trees will not mature mature for years. As I watch what is happening right now, I see the polar ice rapidly melting. The sea levels rising and soon will take over much of the land needed for survival. We see the land, the oceans and the land beindg severely polluted. The causes of this destruction are many. Many of us want every labor saving gadget in existence. Such items require smoke belching factories to produce. They require the burning of fossil fuels to operate. We see the population exploding three times as much in the past century than it had done since the human race began. In short we have been so interested in what we call progress that we don't realize that such "progress" is actually the fast track to the extinction of our race. We must accept that in another century the people on the whole planet will be in worse condition than those in the most undesirable condition today. population reduction must happen.
Lorne Perry
Nova Scotiatensed
If you were really concerned with a solution to global warming you would not expand your business to increase travel. The airlines are already adding new flights all the time. This just creates more CO2. Planting a couple of trees is just feel good. As the indians say, "you speak with forked tongue, kimo sabe".
Jim Reid
San Diego
Bravo on the tree planting. I think that is fabulous. Go Green!!!
Bernadette Lindholm
Minnesota
I'm am so excited to see this! Thank you for working to make your tours go green!
Erin
Tampa, FL
love your shows. love you donation to keep America Green
Sarina
Dover, NJ
Wow!! I am so glad to see that Rick Steves is working to help heal the planet...Two thumbs up. God Bless You. Perry
Perry Eyler
Tucson, Arizona
Regardless of anyone's beliefs about Global Warming, planting trees is always good for the planet! Is there a way to plant the trees in Europe as well as the U.S.? How about using only Biodiesel in the buses used for the tours? How green is the office in Edmonds and the paperwork used for the tours? Every little bit we can do to help, helps all! Thanks again!
Stephanie Juhl
Seattle, WA
Two suggestions. First, picking up on Alice's comment about ziplock baggies: If we can't eliminate using them in air travel, we can at least re-use. When you unpack at home, toss 'em back in your suitcase to use again on the next trip, and the next, and the next. Second, about using tote bags instead of paper or plastic bags for groceries (and anything else): The best are dark-colored, durable nylon, so they last a really long time and clean easily. I hate it that so many totes are made of light-colored canvas that shows every scrape and smudge! Pocket totes that fold up small work great and are easy to carry along.
Helen Fischer
Houston, TX
I am an experienced traveler and very committed to a "travel greener" approach. Anything I can offer your organization to help market this great approach on the eastern seaboard? Thanks
alison Irvin
New Jersey
I am an experienced traveler and very committed to a "travel greener" approach. Anything I can offer your organization to help market this great approach on the eastern seaboard? Thanks
alison Irvin
New Jersey