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The type of energy and the amount of energy we use has major impacts on the environment.
The challenges of climate change and ocean acidification are directly related to the amount of carbon emissions from our use of fossil fuels. In addition we have the issues of polluting our water supply from fracking, contaminating our streams from mine tailings, and polluting our air just to name a few. Continued dependence on fossil fuels also drains the economy of badly needed resources and threatens national security as well.
Fortunately, there are proven solutions to wiser energy use that happen to also be economically advantageous.
In the book Reinventing Fire, Amory Lovins and the Rocky Mountain Institute provide a blue print for how the United States could get off oil by the year 2050 while increasing the GDP 158%, increase jobs, improve the environment, and seriously address the challenges of environmental issues such as climate change and ocean acidification.
Companies committed to Sustainable Tourism such as Walt Disney World® have already made a commitment to addressing climate change and cutting their net carbon emissions 50% from 2006 baseline levels by the year 2012. Once this target was achieved Disney has now set a target for another 50% reduction by 2020, and to then become a net carbon zero company.
Some of their programs include:
Becoming a "Energy Star Partner" which resulted in the first year enough energy savings to power the entire Animal Kingdom.
Using LED lighting for the Cinderella Castle using the equivalent of the energy to power 12 microwave ovens to light the entire castle.
Establishing a carbon solutions fund in 2008 which set a carbon tax on each business unit of the company. One year later $15.5 million was invested in carbon offset programs. The fund was used for such purposes as purchase of clean fuel vehicles, conversion of trains to run on biodisel wastes from restaurants, and collaboration with conservation international and Nature Conservancy to purchase $7 million to preserve forests in the Congo, Peru, and U.S.
Switching to more energy efficient light bulbs. Over 176,000 light bulbs have been replaced.
Commitment to increase its use of solar energy. Disney received an award from the Florida Solar Energy Center.
Best Practices by Disney
LED Lighting for the entire Cinderella Castle uses the same amount of energy that it would take to power 12 microwave ovens.
Each tourism operation has opportunities unique to their own situation for reducing energy. The examples of Walt Disney World® may be useful for some but not others.
Some other examples of sustainable tourism energy practices include:
use of solar photo voltaic energy systems such as the one in Joshua Tree National Park that reduced both pollution and operating costs by 90%.
use of wind energy For example the Taurikura Lodge in New Zealand is using wind mills to produce more energy than it needs and selling the excess back into the network.
use of micro hydro energy. Fore example the Villa Escudero Plantations & Resort, Inc
carbon sequestration combined with native habitat restoration. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has restored 80,000 acres of land and acquired an additional 40,000 acres of land through this program
painting roofs white. According to California Energy Commissioner Art, Rosenfeld, painting roofs white have potential savings of 20% of a homes annual energy costs.
Painting roofs white can save 20% annual energy costs
What percentage of the energy used by the business is obtained from renewable sources, such as solar or wind power?
Methods to obtain information: The business could track their energy use through energy bills or meters and calculate the percentage of renewable energy used. They could also ask their energy provider for information on the sources of their energy.
Type of proof: The business could provide copies of energy bills or reports from their energy provider that show the percentage of renewable energy used.
What actions has the business taken to reduce energy consumption in their operations, such as replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs or implementing energy-efficient HVAC systems?
Methods to obtain information: The business could track their energy use before and after implementing energy-saving measures and calculate the reduction in energy use. They could also keep records of the measures they have implemented.
Type of proof: The business could provide records of energy use before and after implementing energy-saving measures, as well as records of the measures they have implemented.
How does the business encourage their guests to conserve energy during their stay, such as by providing information on how to adjust the thermostat or by asking guests to reuse towels?
Methods to obtain information: The business could survey their guests on their energy-saving practices during their stay, or track the usage of items such as towels and linens.
Type of proof: The business could provide survey results or records of usage, as well as information provided to guests on how to conserve energy during their stay.
Has the business engaged with the local community to promote energy conservation and efficiency, such as by sponsoring educational events or offering energy-saving advice to local residents?
Methods to obtain information: The business could keep records of any community engagement activities they have undertaken, as well as any partnerships they have formed with local organizations.
Type of proof: The business could provide records of community engagement activities, as well as information on any partnerships they have formed with local organizations.
Examples of goals for each question:
Increase the percentage of renewable energy used by the business to 50% within the next two years.
Reduce energy consumption in the business's operations by 20% within the next year by implementing energy-saving measures.
Increase the percentage of guests who reuse towels by 30% within the next year through the provision of information and incentives.
Partner with at least two local organizations to promote energy conservation within the community within the next six months.
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