A birthday, which I celebrated recently, is one of those days when I tend to reflect more than other days on how far I have come in life and how far I have to go to the finish line. What if the Earth could do the same? April 22, Earth Day, is certainly one day to think about that.
Last week it was reported that for the 10th consecutive month, Earth in March set a new monthly record for global heat—with both air temperatures and the world’s oceans hitting an all-time high for the month. Climate scientists attribute most of the record heat to human-caused climate change from carbon dioxide and methane emissions produced by the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas. On April 18, the planet’s carbon dioxide level stood at 427 parts per million (ppm). Pre-industrial CO2 levels were around 280 ppm.
These increasing temperatures and CO2 levels have consequences: extreme weather events, coral bleaching, the rate at which permafrost and ice sheets melt, water scarcity, species extinction, less biodiversity, a decline in human health quality—the list goes on. All of the above have an impact on tourism.
Our Own Responsibility
According to Sustainable Travel International (STI), tourism is responsible for 8 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. As more and more people travel each year, this footprint is only growing. “While flying is the largest source of these emissions, other activities, such as using the AC in hotels or taking a boat ride, produce CO2 as well. Beyond these direct emissions, tourism development can also cause CO2 to be released by degrading ecosystems that act as carbon sinks,” STI says.
As has been written about many times on Green Lodging News, the hotel industry’s environmental footprint is complex but many of the carbon emissions solutions are easy and no brainers: LED lighting, sensors, building and guestroom energy management systems, Energy Star appliances, cold water laundering, etc. These solutions make your hotel more profitable.
As grim as our environmental future can appear sometimes, I am reminded daily of the good work of the many companies in our industry—not only reducing energy consumption but also water consumption and waste as well. Continuous improvement is at the heart of so many hotel companies’ environmental programs. Goal setting and progress tracking will help get us to a better future.
Informing, Advocating, Celebrating
As publisher and editor of Green Lodging News, I see my role as a sharer of best practices, an ally to those working to get the word out about their green products and services, a champion of sustainability, the provider of a kick in the butt to an industry too slow to move (why am I still being offered plastic bottles of water at check-in?), and a party planner all too ready to celebrate incredible successes.
There will always be skeptics and those who will be blind to the business and environmental benefits to going green. If enough of us invest, lead, cheerlead, promote, and set standards that make helping the planet a seamless process, we and future generations will benefit in many ways.
Here on planet Earth, we are all caretakers and neighbors and all responsible for leaving our home a better place than we found it. That is how I was taught. That is what I have learned. That is what I will continue to work for.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers, and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
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Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes the Wednesday Green Supplier Spotlight and Thursday Green Suppliers Spotlight. Green Supplier Spotlight features just one vendor and Green Suppliers Spotlight features multiple vendors. Click here for a Green Supplier Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Both e-blasts that reach 19,700 subscribers have been built to generate quick leads. A report is sent a week after each e-blast that includes the number of e-mails sent, number of opens, and number of click-throughs. Contact Glenn Hasek at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com for more information.
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As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Happy Earth Day Glenn- I am grateful for your longstanding leadership in green hospitality and the important work your site does bringing people together to collaborate or to offer education on how to be more sustainable. Thank you for what you have done for so many years- and I hope you have a great Earth Day!
best wishes
Rauni Kew
Inn by the Sea
Thank you very much Rauni.