Eco Tourism Blog

Sending yummy holiday treats to a distant friend or relative? Here, is a list of the food carriers that will make sure to deliver your treat to your loved ones, as it is.

1. Rachael Ray Casseroval Carrier Set

Rachael Ray Casseroval Carrier Set will transport your food fresh! Therma flect reflective barrier and Superfoam insulation can keep your food oven hot and fridge cool. The straps on its carrying bag keep the casserole in place to avoid leaks. (the 4-quart casseroval is for $49.99 and the carrier dome is for $19.95 at Seventh Avenue)

2. Bundt Cake Keeper

There was never a more stylish way to keep your cake and flaunt it. Durable transparent plastic is used to make the base plate and top cover. You can lock the freshness by a simple action of turning the top cover of this light weight cake keeper. ($25 at Williams-Sonoma)

3. Fresh Keeper Dual 5 Function Food Tote

Imagine the trouble of packing 5 pies in different boxes in a bag! They will twist and turn in your bag, not to mention the space that 5 boxes will take up. The answer is this Dual 5-function food tote that comes with two kinds of shelves for packing in a box. It is also safe to use with dishwasher. ($35 at Target)

4. Collapsible Pie Carrier

Since cakes and pies are everyone’s favourite treats, why should we have a choice in carriers for the same? This Progressive International Pie Carrier with silicone insets in its lid can make room for about two 9″ pies at a time. $25 at Sur La Table)

5. Monogrammed Gift Boxes

These Monogrammed Gift Boxes are the best option to pack lovely treats for the fashion icons in your family and friends’ circle. ($29 for 4 at Williams-Sonoma)

6. Collapsible Cupcake & Cake Carrier

This Progressive International Collapsible Cupcake and Cake Carrier can hold up to 24 cupcakes at a time in two tiers. The silicone sides of the carrier can be used to fold down the carrier, when not in use. ($30 at Sur La Table)

7. Casserole Dish Set

You can rest assured that you can safely transport your treats anywhere with break, heat and chip resistant casserole dish set from Sango. ($15 at Target)

8. Muffin Pan with Storage Lid

Bake, cover and transport up to 12 lovely cupcakes in this Muffin Pan with Storage Lid from Nordicware. ($20 at Cooking.com)

9. Pie Carrier

With fold-down carrying handles and locking latches, this plastic carrier will keep your pies transport-safe and tasty. ($9 at Bed, Bath & Beyond)

This holiday season send your loved ones some yummy treats in style!

Australian Croc’s safe for now!

In the most bizarre type of crocodile tourism, a plan was initiated for the hunting of crocodiles under the guise of a crocodile safari industry . Environment Minister Ian Campbell has strong views against the proposal, He is quoted to have said “Getting amateurs in to take a pot shot at a croc is not a modern, sensible or humane approach and the Australian Government won’t be having a bar of it,” Such a Plan had been refused earlier also. Image Via: DNA World

US Changes Guatemalan Debt for Forest Protection :

The United States will forgive about 20 percent of the US$122 million debt owed by Guatemala so the money can be used to protect threatened plants and wildlife. It is the largest amount of debt forgiven under the 1998 Tropical Forest Conservation Act. Claudia A. McMurray, assistant secretary of state for oceans, environment and science, is quoted to have said ‘You can’t just come in as the U.S. and say it’s important to protect those forests,’ ‘You have to give these countries alternatives.’ This money will help conservation projects over the next 15 years in Guatemala’s rain forests, mangrove reserves and volcanic mountain chains. How many words are put into action is yet to be seen! Image Via: The New York Times

Bike Riding: The Latest Fad to a Cycling Future 

Finally a means to a pollution free environment is gaining ground. Riding bikes is growing in popularity mainly because of the hike in petrol prices. Quite a few people are not willing to give it a shot till road conditions are further improved. Separate bike lanes are the call of the day. Australia stands nowhere in front of Europe where most cities are much more bike friendly. Image Via: The Age

Photo Today : Northern Lights- Dazzling Colours of Nature 

Northern Lights is a common name for the aurora borealis (polar aurorae) in the Northern Hemisphere. Auroras are natural different colored light displays, which are usually observed in the night sky, particularly in the polar zone. Update 14/12/2007: Scientists claim to have discovered have discovered the energy source of Northern Lights, the spectacular color displays. vast, magnetic solar-energy channelling ropes linking the Earth’s atmosphere to the sun.

Smog Free Air for Skiers this Winter :

Citing the threat of Global warming on skiing areas, around 45 resorts in 14 states have moved to adopt ‘Green energy’ for their skiing activities. 16 resorts have gone a few steps further, and are receiving 100 percent of their power from clean energy to meet their power requirements in which wind, hydroelectric, solar, bio-mass and geothermal are mainly included. Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association said: I think we’re a platform industry. We have a bully pulpit to operate from. When you think of global warming the first thing you think of is snowfall and wintertime and how that changes. Well, these efforts are highly commendable, especially when the world is facing the threat to its own existence. This winter the skiers will find smog free air and as a result will inhale more and more oxygen. Via: msnbc

Finally More Forests in the Future :

Our ecosystem is veering to a good progress and in future, we could see more greenery around us. An International team of researchers has predicted this after adopting new methodology for accessing the conditions of world’s forests. The study has included other components such as timber volumes; biomass and captured carbon, which divulges that deforestation, could be, receded in the future. US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has published these findings. Pekka Kauppi, one of the paper’s co-authors said: The trend is better than previously thought. We see prospects for an end to deforestation; we do not make a forecast but it is possible. Kauppi, Professor in University of Helsinki said the previous studies were exclusively focused on the area covered by forests. New approach has helped a lot in accessing the changes in both areas covered and biomass, we can get a more complete picture of the ecosystems. The data provided by UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Global Forest Assessment report shows that forest area had increased over the past 15 years in 22 of the world’s 50 most forested nations. Image Via: BBC

Bottom trawling playing havoc with vulnerable marine ecosystem :

Bottom trawling is causing terrible damage to the fragile aquaculture of oceans. It has proven scientifically that slow-growing ecosystem of the deep is adversely affected by the trawling. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), has condemned the Northern fishing nations, the European Community, South Korea, and Russia for not paying their accountability about the deep sea-life in the South Pacific reason. Matthew Gianni of the DSCC said: All along the science has shown us that bottom trawling on the high seas needs to stop, until we can be sure it’s not damaging unique deep sea life. This new research is the most emphatic yet – high seas bottom trawling is destroying vulnerable ecosystems. Most countries in the world support a moratorium of some kind, it’s time for the remaining few who oppose action to step out of the way. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) is currently monitoring more than 60 conservation organizations from across the globe. The organization is urging to ruminate over the issue immediately as trawling in the deep sea is destroying the some endangered species of coral reefs and one of the rare habitats of oceans. A meeting convened in Hobart a few days back, made some consensus to from a South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO).

Image: greenpeace Via: oceans.greenpeace

Appalachian Trail: living laboratory

Location: From Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia The Appalachian Trail is a 2,200-mile trek through mountains, meadows and forests stretching from Georgia to Maine. This according to scientists is an environmental lab. It could be the key to provide warnings of looming environmental problems before they fall upon us. By collecting and reporting information on nature , people will get a first hand example of how far the environment is depleting. Groups of organizations will use “citizen scientists” as well as professionals. They will be collecting information about the health of plants, air and water quality and animal migration patterns to build an early warning system for the 120 million people along the Eastern Seaboard. Brian Mitchell, a coordinator with the park service’s Northeast Temperate Network in Woodstock says: We’re really after two things, We want to get a better understanding of what’s happening on the trail so we can better manage it. The other side is we want to take the lessons we learn from the trail and show people that what’s happening on the trail does actually affect us. Wildlife: Moose, White-tailed deer , Black bears , beavers , porcupines, bats, weasels, shrews, minks, and muskrats are also common. Tree frogs and bullfrogs inhabit wet areas in warm weather, lizards scurry along rocks and fallen logs, snakes (both poisonous and nonpoisonous) are common south of New England, and streams and ponds are home to salamanders. Continue reading “Appalachian Trail: living laboratory” »

Rhode island :

Some of the most scenic views can be seen above the cliffs in Narragansett Bay within Beavertail State Park, located on the southernmost tip of Conanicut Island near Jamestown. It is situated in between Newport and Rhode Island’s west bay along the New England coastline. The park attracts people from all over, to enjoy its pristine environment and panoramic views. Beavertail offers a spectacular view of the Ocean State’s coastline where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic. Larry Price says: Whether it’s adventurously sitting on the cliffs, sunbathing on the rocks below, or just viewing from your car at one of four overlooks, the vista stirs the soul and quiets the mind. The 170-acre state park also offers hiking and biking trails, saltwater fishing, and a naturalist program. Rhode islands often called the Ocean State, offers one an extensive shoreline waiting to be explored. Via: CNN