There's trash on Mount Everest in Nepal and Machu Picchu in Peru is crumbling under the weight of 2,000 visitors a day. The Costa de Sol in Spain is paved over with concrete, while Cambodia has a full-time job shielding its children from sex tourists. It's easy to despair when thinking about the effect of mass tourism on the planet.

But believe it or not, travel can also be a force for good even in some of the world's most remote beauty spots. Gabon in West Africa is setting an example in how to do it right with Africa's Last Eden in Loango National Park.

In this case, tourism is small scale, low-impact and directly funds conservation. As Rombout Swanborn, director of Loango National Park, says: “We will never have 20 Jeeps around a waterhole shining lights into animals' eyes."

Until recently, the country was not on the tourist radar at all but in 2002, Gabon's forward-thinking president set aside 11% of his country as national park. With the ethos that “ecotourism pays for conservation," the government started a small pilot tourism project in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society and a private investor. Loango National Park officially opened for tourists in 2007 and the park is also used as a base for ...Read More

A move from Berlin to San Diego 10 years ago sparked the creative fire in Micha Kuchenhoff’s mind. The young designer developed a knack for sewing and began to create designs from found objects. Turning vintage materials into one-of-a-kind masterpieces, a loyal following of friends ...Read More

For those of us who haven't succumbed to the Palm Pilot or Blackberry, it's time to shop calendars and datebooks for 2009. I found some cool green options for your kitchen, home office or desk at work that contain images and information to raise eco awarness. Yes, you have a date with ecology. Take a look:

From ...Read More

I’ve never been good at sending holiday cards to friends and family. I enjoy keeping in touch throughout the year via e-mail and phone calls, but when it comes to spreading holiday cheer I fall tragically short. But this year could be different.

I’ve come across a line of stationary that might just cure my aversion to Christmas ...Read More

Still trying to convince some friends to hop on the eco train? Maybe parents who are too set in their ways to go green? With the holidays rapidly approaching, it's the perfect time to show them the stylish side of sustainable with these fabulous gift ideas!

Does one of your gal pals need an upgrade from her no-frills  jewelry mug? ...Read More

Remember that recent melamine scare in China? You know, the chemical that was found in milk and killed a few Chinese infants and harmed at least 10,000? Yes, the very same chemical that was responsible for many animal deaths from ...Read More

Feeling a little heavy after the Thanksgiving food frenzy? Here’s a hot, nourishing, spicy soup that will take out a few of those leftovers and wake up your taste buds with the bright flavors of chilis, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, and other snappy garnishes. ...Read More

Note: this is a post by Kate Carter, one of our pals at the fabulous Divine Caroline.

...Read More

An aluminum can costs about a cent. Almost worthless, so it’s easy to toss it in the trash. It's like a magic trick, if you think about it. The thousands of stages in the manufacturing process, the material costs and the

...Read More

Here's one way you definitely don't want to be "perc'd" up. Tetrachloroethylene or perc (from "perchloroethylene") is a recognised menace, and for all our sakes we need to steer clear of it when we're dry cleaning. Lighter Footstep has a ...Read More