See the Planet, Save the Planet

Christina Cavaliere of the International Ecotourism Society encourages sustainable travel, which she sees as a "form of environmental and social conservation" because it brings money into areas, helping preserve their natural resources. (By Juana Arias For The Washington Post)

I certainly think that there's a need for the tourism industry and for individual consumers to change travel patterns and travel behavior. . . . But I am a huge advocate, because I've seen that sustainable travel is a successful form of environmental and social conservation. It brings business opportunities that allow money and information generation to happen inside a community. When that economic opportunity is not there, traditional extractions of natural resources continue to occur.

What about the climate change question? Flying certainly produces a lot of carbon dioxide.

One of the worst environmental actions you can do is to buy a plane ticket. I started, with some other partners, an advocacy camp called Traveling With Climate in Mind. We started communicating to individual tourists and businesses about what they can do. Individually, there are many ways you can mitigate carbon emissions. Instead of traveling six times a year for three days, travel once a year for three weeks. When you get to the destination, choose carbon-neutral activities. Rent a bike. Walk to your destinations. Go on nature walks instead of renting jet skis or anything that uses petrol.

Do you buy carbon offsets to account for the emissions from your travel?

Yes, all of our staff here at TIES does. I travel quite a bit with this position. Last year we held an international conference that had 76 countries and 470 people, and we offset the entire event and everyone's flights.

What about the perception that eco-tourism is expensive? What can people on a tight budget do?

In the nonprofit world, we have a joke that the hours are long but at least the pay isn't very good. I've done all my travel on a shoestring budget. . . . You spend less when you're buying from local businesses and staying in local accommodations, and you're not locked away in the compound of a major international resort. Also, you certainly don't need to travel internationally to have a sustainable travel experience. . . . Rock Creek Park is a wonderful example of a nature-based tourism experience right in the city.

Can you recommend any other local eco-getaways?

There are so many, from luxury eco-lodges to camping. There are ways of combining different sustainable elements to make your own eco-tour. Research before you go on a biking tour where the farmers markets or local crafts markets are. Stay in a B&B and stop into a local museum where the entrance fee is going directly to the community. . . .

I like to think I have a little bit of eco-travel in every week. Going to the farmers market and talking to a farmer about where they live and what they're growing -- that's a connection to a place and a person. I walk to work. And when I get into my building I purposely take the stairs because I want my entire trip to be carbon-neutral. We're all traveling all the time, whether it's next door or to another continent, so how do we interact sustainably?

Green Tourism Tips

Christina Cavaliere says she became a believer in eco-tourism after seeing how changing her behavior and living a more sustainable lifestyle -- and witnessing others do so -- forged a connection with places and people. Here, she offers tips on making traveling more sustainable.

• Buy and spend local. Stay at a B&B and use local buses, car rental agencies and restaurants. Hire and employ local guides.