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Does the travel industry care about changing climate?

Thursday, July 10th, 2008

 Earth

I wrote a post on Greenopolis.com taking issue with Darren Cronian’s recent comment on his blog, Travel Rants.  Cronian attempts to fan the flames in the travel blog world when he states that “the travel industry doesn’t care about climate change. ”  His comments sparked me into action, as I live in  Northern California, home to multiple raging wildfires at the moment.

I’m sure the England-based writer wasn’t attacking the travel industry in general.  Rather, he wanted to know specifically what different sectors in the industry were doing to address this problem.  You can read my post on Greenopolis here

According to the Greenopolis website, it is the first “green,” interactive, educational website to bring together communities and reward them for making positive environmental changes.  I discovered Greenopolis because they are one of the BlogHer sponsors for the upcoming conference taking place in San Francisco July 18-20, 2008.

Blogher Button

As a sponsor of Blogher they are hosting a “Best Green BlogHer” contest and will be offering  Greenopolis cocktails at Ruby Skye, a San Francisco nightclub on Friday, July 18 when they announce the winner of the contest.  I wonder what’s in a green cocktail?  I think it’s wonderful how BlogHer is really making an effort to be environmentally conscious during its San Francisco conference. 

I think the hotel industry is making an effort to “go green.”  When I check into my hotel I expect to see a note on the dresser mentioning that towels and bedding will not be changed on a daily basis unless requested.  I hope to see CFL’s in all of the light fixtures; preferably in the off position when I enter my hotel room.  Organic cotton sheets would be a nice touch. 

I try to do my part to be a more environmentally aware person on this planet and I hope to be modeling this behavior for my children.  As a travel writer and a global citizen, I’m aware of my carbon footprint and I attempt to tread lightly on the planet. 

Do you consider yourself green?  What are your thoughts on climate change?

Where’s Wendy Perrin? She has landed in San Francisco

Monday, July 7th, 2008

 Wendy Perrin

Wendy Perrin likes to beat the system, find the best travel deals and share all of her insider secrets with her readers.  I recently caught up with Conde Nast Traveler’s Consumer News Editor while she was on vacation with her husband and two young boys.  The Perrin gang, along with CNT writer Brook Wilkinson and her boyfriend, were visiting San Francisco’s Exploratorium by the Palace of Fine Arts. 

What is the job of a consumer news editor?

WP: I’m not sure what other people do at their job, but at CNT I’m in charge of giving consumers advice on how to beat the system.  I write an advice column, The Perrin Report and my blog The Perrin Post in addition to my other writing responsibilities. 

If you didn’t have this job, what would you like to do?

WP: That’s a very good question.  I’ve been with CNT for 19 years and this is a great job.  If I didn’t have this job, I’d probably work for a school.  Education matters a lot to me.

What’s your “must have” travel gadget?

Brook Wilkinson: I’d have to say my digital camera.

Place you want to go when you are NOT on assignment?

WP: My husband’s family is from Northern California, so we come here every summer.

Brook Wilkinson: New Zealand is my favorite place in the world.  Growing up in my family we didn’t tend to repeat places.  I like visiting Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire to hang out.

Have you ever been Couch Surfing?

Brook Wilkinson: I have never been CouchSurfing, but I have stayed as a guest in someone’s home through a mutual contact.  In 2001 I backpacked in China for a year and met Lucy from Beijing and stayed with her.

Brook, now that you live in San Francisco, where are your favorite Martini Glassplaces?

Tank Hill.  I wrote about it on Wendy’s blog.  I like dining at Chez Panisse in Berkeley and the Presidio Social Club in the city for the classic cocktail.

Do you prefer writing or blogging?

WP: My first commitment is writing for the magazine, but it is a time-consuming production process.  I enjoy the e-mails from my readers.  I have a very intelligent group of readers.  When my articles are done, that’s when I make time for the blog.  I usually write the blog at night.  The blog is a  way to interact with readers and I love the immediate feedback.  It’s great because I get to meet people like you!

Seven Blogging tips for newbies

Monday, June 23rd, 2008
While I am in no way positioning myself as an expert blogger, I thought it might be helpful to list a few blogging tips for newbies on this site.  I also ran across "Useful ... [Continue reading this entry]

Technorati here I come

Monday, June 9th, 2008
Who knew that you needed to be web-savy to create a blog?  Anyone can launch a blog these days with the help of WordPress, BlogHer, Yahoo, [Continue reading this entry]

Rain in Spain falls mainly on San Sebastian

Friday, October 26th, 2007
 
While "the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain" according to Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) in the 1964 film "My Fair Lady," the rain in Spain that ... [Continue reading this entry]

Guest Blog by Nancy Brown: The Book Passage Travel Writers & Photograpers Conference – A Review.

Friday, August 24th, 2007
"Writing is like love making," shared author Isabel Allende. "You find a place to do it; on a desk, behind a door." Playing off her banter, The Great Tree of Avalon author T.A. Baron adds that writing begins ... [Continue reading this entry]