100-mile challenge

You've perhaps heard of the 100-mile diet, where to limit long-distance transportation and support local growers, you get most of your food from nearby sources.  Well, with soaring fuel prices and travellers starting to recognize the climate change implications of flying to Australia or hauling the family to Disney World, maybe it's time to consider the 100-mile vacation.

Travelling short distances allows you to support local businesses, slash your transportation fuel bill and reduce your overall environmental impacts.  Here are some other ways to improve your energy efficiency and trim your carbon footprint while vacationing within Alberta this summer.

Improve Your Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

• Think before you put on a rooftop storage box - it can reduce fuel efficiency by 10 per cent.
• Reduce your highway driving speed by 10 kilometres per hour and you'll improve your mileage by about 10 per cent.
• Maintain proper tire pressure and replace clogged air filters and, again, improve your mileage by perhaps 10 per cent.

Rent Right - If you, or visiting friends or relatives, need to rent a vehicle, choose the smallest size that suits your travel needs and, within that size range, look for the models with the best fuel economy.  A growing number of rental firms now allow you to offset the carbon impact of your rental by contributing to tree-planting and like-minded programs.

Stay Put - Once you arrive at your primary destination, try to limit daily forays in your vehicle.  For example, choose a hotel within easy walking or public transit distance of attractions you want to visit.  Or choose holidays that emphasize self-propelled activities like hiking, cycling or paddling.  Instead of making a number of long day trips from a base camp in your car, spend at least a couple of days at these secondary locations.  Similarly, if you're doing a longer tour with a gas-guzzling trailer or RV, save fuel by staying in one location for at least several days before moving on.

Seek Green Accommodation - When you book a hotel, motel or even a bed and breakfast, ask what energy-saving and other green programs they've adopted.  Look for campgrounds that offer recycling bins and, hopefully, don't leave washroom and other lights on all night.

Camp Smart - Conserve resources and minimize air pollution by keeping campfires to a minimum.  Run any generators as little as possible; your quiet neighbours will appreciate it.  Minimize the use of disposable dishes and cutlery and reuse empty glass and plastic containers instead of throwing them out.