This report comes after careful analysis of all developing countries throughout the world with special attention on practices regarding environmental preservation and sustainability as well as human rights. The report allows tourists to use their dollars as votes, supporting the countries that step up their policies and practices.

Although many aspects of ethical travel were weighed in the deciding on the final ten countries, three stood out in regards to their high achievements in sustainability practices on the 2012 list. These destinations are Costa Rica, Chile, and Serbia.

Even though it’s still a developing country, Cost Rica scored in the top “100-85″ category for the Environmental Policy Index (EPI). Only three other countries in the world fell into this category, and Cost Rica was the only third world destination to achieve the distinction.

Chile, another Latin American country, made the list as well, standing out for environmental practices. Although not as high as Cost Rica, this country came out with especially high scores in regards to sustainable forestry and fishing.

One other success in the environmental realm was shown to be Serbia. This eastern European nation is making impressive bounds towards a sustainable future. The country is developing five hydro-power plants that will bring clean, renewable energy. In addition, the country has signed a declaration to protect wildlife and nature along several rivers. Serbia also recently signed a protocol that will protect the largest old growth forests around Russia.

These three countries, along with the other winners, were announced last week at the Commonwealth Club in California. The list is a great aid for tourists who want to change the world with their economic clout.

An airplane taking off and landing is one of the biggest emitters of carbon. The band, Radiohead, famously had their carbon footprint, as well as that of their concert-going fans, audited in 2008 to figure out how they could offset this effect. They concluded that playing in cities where there was better public transportation (theoretically), sea freighting for their equipment, and bus and rail travel was the best way to reduce usage. We hoi polloi can do the same, albeit by sourcing for direct flights to a destination to reduce the need for flight transfers.

Alternatively, eschew flying altogether if you’re traveling within the country. A road trip is a form of travel that enjoys enduring popularity.

If you can, opt for hotels and tour agents that follow green travel principles. These include practicing energy-conserving policies, focusing on local products and staff, and supporting local businesses, as well as conservation efforts in the area.

Most travelers, like my father, tend to switch on every light in the hotel room and leave it on. His rationale: “I paid for this room; I’ll use it how I like!”

Maybe so, but using only what is necessary goes a long way in reducing overall carbon emissions. I imagine that if enough guests practiced similar energy-conservative habits, they would decrease the hotel’s energy usage to such an extent that room rates might be reduced in the future!*

Similarly, you can reduce water usage by taking short showers and choosing not to have towels and linen changed daily. I travel with my own toiletries as well, because it’ll be one less batch of toiletries the hotel has to replenish.

I’ve never had interest in souvenirs; I believe photographs are a better memento then a wall-hanging made of seashells, and they’re easier to pack too. As it turns out, not buying things made from local flora and fauna ensures that those plants and animals will remain alive in their own environment.

*Room rates would probably remain the same, but at least carbon emissions would’ve been reduced.

It’s clear that the city of Eindhoven still believes that snow is rare — their snow budget is so low that they have already used 90% of their funds. They have run out of salt and sand for the roads; their solution for cleaning up all of the side streets is to let it sit there and hope that it melts. However, the bike paths are all extremely clean! Those paths were the first to be cleaned and after that came the main roads. Traveling by foot? Well, the sidewalks are nowhere near being suitable to walk on.

Most people purchased a shovel for the first time this year. Instead of shovels, most had been accustomed to using a broom to sweep away the snow. Yes, sweep! However, the more you think about it, the more it starts to make sense because many of the roads are bricks or cobblestone. It would be pretty difficult to use a shovel on cobblestone.

Because it has only been about 3 years ago since Eindhoven started getting significant snowfall, it is hard to tell if the climate and the environment are different or not. In my opinion, I think that it is safe to assume that things have changed and that Eindhoven should probably start getting used to receiving snow every year.

For the climate to change so suddenly is a little frightening to me. It is hard to believe that I am sitting here, watching Eindhoven morph into a city that receives snow every year. It is also sad to realize that I am part of the reason why this change in the environment has probably occurred. For now, we will all have to do our best to “save the planet!”

Perhaps a New Year’s resolution for everyone should be to be “greener”?

Let us begin our journey in Denmark! The city of Copenhagen lists the Green Lighthouse–an eye-catching wonder for sure. It is a carbon-neutral building that is actually located right on the campus of the University of Copenhagen. It is the home to the faculty of science, not surprisingly, at the University. Why is it so green? Well, 75% of the energy reductions were achieved via the architecture rather than advanced technology!

Moving back to the United States, the Greenway Self Park in Chicago has made itself famous by being the first eco-friendly parking facility. It is an eleven-story structure that houses 725 parking spaces, plug-in stations for electrical vehicles, parking for bikes, and spaces for car sharing services. It is powered by six wind turbines that require winds of at least 2 miles per hour. Pretty cool huh? Looking at it from a far you would never even know that is a parking garage!

Moving back to Europe, the next skyscraper we will look at is the Waugh Thistleton Residential Tower in London. It is a fourteen-story eco-tower that is attached to a helical wind turbine. The turbine generates about 40,000 kilowatt hours a year and provides the tower with more than fifteen percent of its energy requirements.

And now, for what may perhaps be considered the greenest tower of them all some day, the Pearl River Tower in China. It is a zero-energy eco skyscraper that stands in Guanzhou, China. The design of this tower started in 2005, and it “topped-out” on the 28th of March of this year! While the original completion date was supposed to be this month, it is now expected to be completed sometime in 2011. One of the most important features about the design of this building is that the tower’s sculpted body directs wind to a pair of openings at its mechanical floors, where traveling winds push turbines which generate energy for the building. Sounds pretty green, right?

• Urban Cactus, Rotterdam, NL. So, this building pretty much looks like a stack of rotated, irregular discs. It is a nineteen story building and the residents have plenty of natural light falling on their terraces.
• COR Tower, Miami, USA. This tower has “holes” on its shiny outer surface. It is a 25 story green skyscraper that is used for both residential and commercial purposes. It has wind turbines, solar hot water generation, photovoltaic panels, bamboo lined hallways, recycled glass tile flooring, and energy star appliances.
• Fusionopolis, Singapore. This skyscraper was designed to promote the “being green” culture that has become all the rage these days. It has a vertical spine of planting that is a green infrastructure that travels along the 25 story structure. There are plenty of other green features such as landscaped garden terraces on each floor. They have also managed to direct the sun light to the interior of the building by using prisms and they have managed to turn the building into somewhat of an ecosystem.
• Hearst Tower, New York, USA. This was the first green building of New York city. In 2006, it was the winner of the Emporis Skyscraper Award. They used heat conductive limestone in the atrium flooring and use water-filled polyethylene tubing that is embedded under the floor to help with the cooling during the summer as well as the heating during the winter. They also water their plants by using the rain water from the roof. The building is 40% energy efficient!
• Vulcano Buono, Italy. This shopping mall is designed based on the theme of Mount Vesuvius. This place has a restaurant, a hypermarket, a multiplex, and around 155 shops. The roof of the complex is a grassy slope–a natural insulation.

These are just a few of the coolest and greenest skyscrapers in the world, I’ll have to get back to you about some other ones later!

1. 70 Park Avenue Hotel

Part of the Kimpton Hotels, 70 Park Avenue Hotel participates in its Earthcare: Eco Program. As an eco-friendly hotel, they implement a linen and towel re-use program and an extensive recycling program. They use energy efficient light bulbs throughout the hotel. All hotel materials and paper are 100% recycled and use soy-based inks. All the cleaning materials they use are non-toxic and environmentally safe. Participating guests get extra discounts, including using hybrid cars.

70 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016; Tel. (212)973-2400

2. GustOrganics

The Green Restaurant Association has certified GustOrganics as a Green Restaurant. They have an excellent recycling and composting program. They use wind energy and solar lighting. They have environmentally friendly packaging, including biodegradable take-out containers, cups and flatware. They use biodegradable and environmentally safe cleaning products. And the entire restaurant was constructed with recycled wood and eco-friendly materials. They serve organic food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They even have an organic bar and organic tapitos. GustOrganics supports the Green and Organic cause and this is a great place to visit if you support the same cause, too.

519 Avenue of the America,s New York, NY 10011; Tel. (212)242-5800

3. Birdbath

Birdbath is the Neighborhood Green Bakery. Their walls are made of wheat, they use wind power, they used recycled wood for their floors. The countertop display and shelves are made of 100% recycled paper. Their paper bags have no wax lining and their cups are made of corn.

223 First Ave. New York, NY 10003; Tel. (646)722-6565

4. Kaight NYC

Kate McGregor has redefined vegan fashion so her customers can still feel pretty while helping the environment. Kaight NYC only features designers who practice the same beliefs. Matt & Nat uses recycled plastic water bottles to line their bags. Ashley Watson uses recycled leather for her bags. Loomstate uses organic cotton for their clothes. EDUN uses sustainable practices to make organic clothing. Drop by their store when you’re in New York or order online at www.kaightshop.com.

83 Orchard St. New York, NY 10002; Tel. (212)680-5630

5. giggle

giggle is the newest parent store for babies in New York. All the must-have baby items are here, and you’ll be able to provide everything your baby needs. Products include non-toxic and recycled items that are good for your babies and the earth and support causes. Products include formaldehyde-free beddings and fabrics, washable toys and nontoxic cleaning and bath supplies.

120 Wooster St. New York, NY 10012; Tel. (212)334-5817; 1033 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10021; Tel. (212)249-4249