Greener than camping?

While I'm looking at Outside...

I'm just looking at the mag online, but there's a teaser for an article on "traveling green," and it says this new luxury camp in Shaba National Reserve in Kenya is beaucoup green because it's off the grid. How is that greener than respectful camping? I'm sure it's greener than some of the luxury lodges with the manicured lawns and A/C, but... Seems its shade of green is relative.

How much green will it set you back? Apparently $790 for a double. Yipes.

(Photo of Joy's Camp courtesy of Outside)

Are you a bigfoot?

Even if you aren't into the whole carbon-offsetting, it's interesting to look at the effect of what we do and how we go about it. Here's a site that calculates how you can offset your carbon emissions based on the kind of vehicle your drive and how much you drive it - or your next flight.

I can't use it to figure out how to offset the '69 Volksie, but then again, I don't drive it much. Does make me think about biking to work more often, though.

ADDING: I'm not advocating for this or any other off-setting group. And I hope it doesn't come off that way. I'm not sure I buy into the concept. I mean, if I'm worried about wasting energy, I find ways to cut back, no? But I like that it makes me think about my lifestyle. Because I can afford a car should I drive one to work? Take the bus? Ride my bike? Because I love oranges and I'm used to eating them year-round, should I liimit consumption to in-season? Drop them altogether for fruit that's grown locally? Build a greenhouse so I can grow my own oranges?

Earth Aid

It'll be a beautiful weekend to get out amongst it, as the Aussies would say. Celebrate Earth Day with a few planet-friendly activities:

SATURDAY

Garden of the Gods - workday in spring canyon area; pre-register at 471-7736. Pick up litter at the park all day, register from 8:30 a.m. visitor center. Indoor and outdoor activities at visitor center 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for info: 219-0108.

Pikes Peak Earth Day, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Palmer High School, 301 N. Nevada Ave.. Kids activities. Worm Composting demonstration 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Weecycler's puppet show 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.; solar cooking demonstrations 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; recycle plants and make pencil holders, 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon; earth and peace songs for kids 11 a.m. and noon; peace pole creation 11-11:45 a.m.; "Energy in our Community: Making Environmenal Decisions" with Simon Baker, Colorado Springs Utilities senior conservation specialist, 11 a.m.-noon; "Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth' slide show and Q&A" with Teri Ulrich, Clean Cities coordinator for the Pikes Peak Region, 1-2:30 p.m.; more than 45 vendors, including solar thermal hot-air collector and bio-diesel apple-seed processor. Live music. Free fresh, natural and organic treats.

Lake Pueblo State Park, Arkansas River Cleanup; sponsored by Trout Unlimited, 10 a.m.-noon, meet at Snakeskin Picnic Area below Pueblo Dam, take insect repellent and sunscreen (waders, if desired), free lunch, carpool provided from free parking area just outside the pay station below Pueblo Dam (9:30-10 a.m.) for those without park passes, 1-719-489-2913.

South Platte River Floodplain Reforesting.9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. REI is partnering iwth Denver Parks & Recreation and the Greenway Foundation for this prohect along the South Platte River at Centennial Park. Volunteers 12 an dolder will help reintroduce native species and diversity. Pre-registration is requested at VOutdoors.org. Info: 1-303-756-3100


SUNDAY
Workday at Red Rock Canyon Open Space, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., removal of dying or invasive elm trees and closure of social trails. pre-register at 385-6520 / www.redrockcanyonopenspace.org

Parker, Earth Day Celebration; The Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., educational day with activities and programs focused on our planet, adults $7.95, ages 2-12 $4.95, 65 and older $6.95, 2 and younger free, 1-720-488-3331, thewildlifeexperience.org.