If you look beyond the cheerful green plant pictured here, you’ll notice a simple accommodation
not quite cutting-edge or trendy in decor, but simple goes on to say a
lot. The Habitat Suites located in Austin, Texas take pride
in providing lodging that is environmentally sustainable. Much thought was taken into account when constructing
the suites. For example, Habitat is completely smoke-free and has a live plant in every room for better air
quality. Trees were planted to shade suites from summer sun and thus eliminating the need for artificial
air. For some these things could all be considered paradise and others might want to pack a small fan. In
any case vegan’s and vegetarian’s will also take delight in the menu selection which feature several traditional dishes
for their fancy.
Global Warming Warning
Something serious to note in this month’s National Geographic
Traveler Magazine. They report that ski resorts, scuba
dive areas and parks are being destroyed by global warming. Hello, Michael Crichton!
Weather trends that date to 1975 and supported by the World Meteorological Organization puts 2004 as the
fourth hottest year on record. This is causing all sorts of havoc among ski areas. In recent years the
average temperature in the Northeast has risen 3.8 degrees and snowfall has decreased by 15% since 1953.
This variability of weather has scrweed two thirds of New Hampshire ski areas, who can’t weather the weather.
The Bushmen of Santa Monica
Thousands of people travel to Africa every year to hang out with “primitive” tribes, to
snap photos and say, gosh, how interesting. Well, the tables are turned. Listen
to this NPR piece on a group of Kalahari
Bushmen who come to the US for activist purposes,
but get in a little tourism while they’re at it. They hit the beach in Santa Monica and do a little hike in the
Mountains. Gotta love it.
Now, what activism, you ask? The government of otswana has declared much of the Kalahari a game reserve, and have
evicted Bushman tribes. The Bushmen are fighting back in the courts in Botswana, and will visit the United Nations and
Washington, D.C., to solicit money to help with their legal battle.
James Cameron’s New UW Adventure
James Cameron is a big time hero of mine. Someday (fingers crossed) we might even get a podcast with him. But for
now, you should check out
his newest project. As
I’ve posted over at divester, Cameron is now engaged in an effort to educate the masses about the underwater world,
something he’s been invovled with extensively since he worked on the Abyss and certinaly through his recent work on the
Titanic. this is a project I’m going to follow closely, so keep you eyes open for more info here or at
Divester.
To Be Or Not To be…An African Ranger
Of all the occupations you might have imagined for yourself as a
kid, I suspect that you never considered being
African
ranger. And yet, in this marvelous story, that is exactly what South Africa-based Drifters offers.
To wit: a gruelling 16-day environmental ranger course that is a combination of Survivor meets Fear Factor.
The course offers the opportunity to learn how to handle critical situations in the bush. For example, how does one
confront an elephant bull who is, like a horny fraternity brother, “in must”, that is, a prolonged state of
heightened sexual arousal. These are skills you won’t learn in college.