Going Green: News & Updates
18 Oct, 2010 Nature Air Wins World Savers Award from Condé Nast Traveler
Yep, we did it. We don’t want to brag – but Nature Air was recently named Condenast Travelers’s 2010 Overall Winner in the Airlines category of Condé Nast’s fourth annual World Savers Awards – and we’re proud.
The company was honored with this prestigious title for its educational programs, global poverty initiatives, wildlife conservation efforts, and simply for “doing it all.” According to Condé Nast Traveler, companies worthy of the World Savers title exhibit “authenticity, connection, and, most important, the chance to help (or at least not to harm) the places that give us pleasure.” Winners, runners-up and honorable mentions were meticulously scrutinized and chosen for being “creative in protecting, conserving and supporting natural environments and local communities.”
Nature Air CEO Alex Khajavi was dubbed “The Visionary” of Latin America for his exceptional sense of social responsibility; Khajavi will be giving a presentation at the Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Congress on October 20, 2010 in Singapore, alongside various famous speakers. In past years the celebrity lineup has included Edward Norton, Jeffrey Swartz, Mandy Moore, Ken Burns and Wyclef Jean.
With profits steadily increasing as a direct result of investing in responsible tourism programs, Nature Air is proud to have set the bar as an industry leader and successful sustainable tourism model. By investing in charitable programs we have not only conserved over 300 hectares of rainforest in the Osa Peninsula – but our revenue has also increased by 22% since 2003.
Nature Air is the world’s first and only certified 100% carbon neutral airline – meaning that we offset any negative impact from carbon emissions by investing in ecological projects. For example – for every gallon of gasoline burned by one of our Twin Otter and King Air jets, our company donates time, money, resources and flights to counteract the negative impact of that fuel on the environment. Carbon credits are also purchased from the government-run Environmental Services Payment (EPS) program, run by the forestry department (FONAFIFO). In addition, we’ve contrived yet another effort to reduce stress on our planet: the use of biodegradable fuel, also known as bio-diesel. This combination of recycled cooking and vegetable oils is donated from local restaurants to run ground equipment. Employees are also encouraged to contribute to the cause by collecting excess grease from their personal kitchens and bringing it to work in milk cartons. Such an easy change in operations saves an estimated 560 tons – yes, tons – of CO2 emissions annually.
Furthermore, Nature Air wasn’t the only one recognized as an exemplary business model in the World Saver Awards – Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort also got an honorable mention in Poverty Relief for the Large Resorts/Lodges category. Furthermore, Costa Rican based Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality group was recognized multiple times in the Small Hotel Chain bracket. Cayuga was recognized in all five World Saver categories for their impeccable work with hotels like Rios Lapas in the Osa Peninsula, and for investing between two and five percent of all profits into socially conscious efforts like solar panels for local schools.
5 June, 2010 EARTH University unites 26 countries around the world to simultaneously plant 200,000 trees on June 5, 2010
Go to www.earthplantsthefuture.org
On the site, trees can be purchased for $5 each to be planted by EARTH University of Costa Rica on June 5. In addition, site visitors can “plant” free trees in a virtual forest. For every 20 virtual trees planted, the activity’s sponsors will donate one real tree to be planted on June 5. Also available on the website is information on how to join existing tree planting activities organized by EARTH alumni around the world and other ways to get involved in the event.
June 5th, World Environment day is coming up soon. World Environment day was founded in 1972 by the United Nations to increase worldwide awareness of the environment with the aim to encourage political attention and action. Through World Environment Day (WED), the UN hopes people will not only realize their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development worldwide.
How does this relate to travelers, Costa Rica and Nature Vacations? Tourism is the number one industry in Costa Rica. No matter what the aim of the traveler to Costa Rica, it is undeniable that the natural wonders of Costa Rica are involved: beaches, rain forest, cloud forest, volcanoes, estuaries, and all the splendid flora and fauna they are home to. Worldwide coverage has been given to the importance of preserving the world’s rain forests for quite some time now. We can all be agents of change by getting involved and planting trees, locally wherever you live, and virtually to contribute to the tropical forests you have visited and enjoy, or one day will visit. It benefits all of us to preserve Costa Rica’s natural treasures.
“Planting trees is a simple act with a big impact. We hope this project will raise awareness of global climate change issues and unite people around the world in a common cause,” affirms José Zaglul, President of EARTH University.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2010, EARTH University www.earth.ac.cr was founded with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Government of Costa Rica to prepare young people from economically-depressed communities in Latin America, the Caribbean and other regions, Nature Air on ABC\’s Livewell including Africa and Asia, to become agents for change in their communities. EARTH offers a four-year undergraduate program in agricultural sciences and natural resources management, providing a world-class scientific and technical education that emphasizes values, ethics, entrepreneurship and environmental and social commitment. Through the generous support of donors, EARTH University provides opportunities to young people who want to make a difference in the world but lack the financial resources for higher education.
NatureVacations and NatureAir are proud to recognize other companies that have contributed to sustainable practices here in beautiful Costa Rica. NatureAir is the world’s first carbon Neutral airline and has been offsetting 100% of emissions since day one through our own contributions, which include tree planting and sequestering tropical rain forest in the Osa Peninsula. By booking a vacation with NatureVacations and by flying NatureAir you contribute to sustainable practices here in Costa Rica including not only the Carbon Neutral program but also our efforts in recycling, biodiesel usage, Nature Kids, and our sustainable tourism policy as well.
For more information visit Costa Rica Eco Travel News.
