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)

Bring biodegradable soap.

Don't cover yourself in chemical bug repellent and sunscreens, then jump into a pristine waterway.

Bring home your trash. Many areas, especially in developing countries, don't have recycling facilities.

Use refillable water bottles. You can bring your own filter.

Make sure the lights and air conditioning are off when you leave your hotel room.

Learn a few words of the local language, an important part of preserving culture.

Be aware of local conventions and respect them.

Ask permission before you enter a holy place or if you see a ceremony going on, because often privacy is lost when tourism comes to a community.

Be sensitive to when, where and how you're taking pictures.

Respect natural areas. Never touch or harass animals, and stay on designated trails and paths. A lot of endemic and rare plants can be permanently damaged by one step.

Pay entrance fees to parks and protected areas to help support conservation.

Pay a fair price for handicrafts and other goods. Try to buy from the individual artisan, and don't buy crafts made from endangered speci es.

-- E.H.