Solar Powered Plane Traverses the Pacific Ocean Highlighting the Importance of Renewable Energy (Video)

The Solar Impulse, a plane powered by nothing other than the sun has succeeded in crossing the Pacific Ocean. This amazing accomplishment highlights the capabilities and the importance of renewable energy. This record setting voyage was flown by pilot Andre Borschberg. The 118-hours it took to make the journey breaks a record for the longest nonstop solo flight ever.

Solar Plane in the Process of Setting a Record by Circumnavigating the Globe

A solar powered plane is making its way around the world. The lightweight plane is called Solar Impulse 2, it has a wingspan wider than a 747. The carbon fiber and polymer impregnated paper plane incorporates high performance energy management software, advanced lithium-ion batteries powered by 17,000 high efficiency solar cells.

The two rotating pilots hope to fly the plane into the record books. The flight began in Abu Dhabi on March 9 and is expected to conclude its global voyage in July of this year. The first leg of the journey took the plane to Muscat, Oman and then on to India on March 10.

Event - Improving NJ Air Quality: Focus on Transportation

Are Greener Cars in NJ's Future? An NJ Spotlight Roundtable will take place on Friday, Nov 15 11:45 am to to 1:30 pm at Rider University, the Mercer Room (Daly Dining Hall) 2083 Lawrenceville Road in Trenton, NJ. Launched in 2010, NJ Spotlight publishes daily, original stories, centered on news and policy issues, with a focus on energy, education, state finance and healthcare. Learn more at www.njspotlight.com.

Cleaning the air in the Garden State means using cleaner fuels for transportation. While motor vehicle manufacturers are developing more low-emission vehicles, the real question is, how will these be powered? Will they be plug-in electric vehicles, compressed natural gas vehicles, or something else all together? Should private entities be building these non-gasoline fueling stations of the future? Should ratepayers be shouldering the cost?… Show more What role should the government play?

Hotel EV Charging Stations and Greener Transportation Guest Services

An ever growing number of hotels have added EV charging stations and other greener transportation support services for their guests. This is not only a way of enticing guests with EVs to visit their hotel, it is also a way of increasing their sustainability profile.

One of the hotels offering EV charging stations is the new LEED-certified Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte, South Carolina. In the Boston area, Element Lexington, the Charles Hotel and the Lenox Hotel all offer similar complimentary charging services.

Ten Sustainability Initiatives in the Hotel Industry

There are a number of sustainability initiatives taking hold in the hotel industry. As explained by the Chairwoman of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Kelly Bricker, "The impact of 1 billion travelers roaming the earth has forced governments, NGOs, communities, and the tourism industry to recognize the importance of sustaining the environment upon which all tourism depends."

Hotels are being driven to be more ecologically sensitive by consumer demand. In a 2012 study of 5,000 Expedia customers, MindClick SGM found that 90 percent of respondents would choose a hotel with furnishings and supplies that are better for the guest, the community and the planet over comparable hotels.

Event - 1st International Congress on Entrepreneurship in Tourism: Towards Green Growth

The congress on the theme of entrepreneurship in tourism: “Towards Green Growth” is being held in Dubrovnik, Croatia from 27 to 30 April 2014. This congress will be organised by Croatian Small Business Union (HUMP-CROSBU) in partnership with OECD Investment Compact SEE, Paris and StudioCentroVeneto, Vicenza and local partners.

The congress theme covers a range of issues critical to economies and to the development of entrepreneurship in tourism as a major engine of growth and jobs creation for social, economic, cultural and personal values. Tourism is one of the most promising drivers of growth for the world economy and key to driving the defining trends of the transition to a green economy. Due to tourism's cross-cutting nature and close connections to numerous sectors at destination and international levels, even small improvements toward greater sustainability will have important impacts in the shift towards more sustainable, cleaner and lowcarbon economic growth.

Event - Sustainable Hotel & Resort 2013 Conference

Sustainable Hotel & Resort 2013 conference will take place on October 15-16, 2013 in Orlando, Florida. This conference will feature leaders in resort management, sustainability, best practices, and green marketing.

This event will bring together hotel/resort operators, energy and water management consultants, sustainable solution providers, and certifying organizations to discuss trends, products, and solutions to help hotels and resorts recognize that implementing sustainable solutions is good: good for the environment and good for business.

Webinar - Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI)

This webinar takes you step-by-step through the information needed and how to calculate the carbon footprint of any hotel stay or meeting. The trend for greater transparency in carbon reporting is growing and this webinar explains why it is increasingly important for hotels to know their carbon footprint. How to measure the carbon footprint of a hotel stay or meeting – The Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative.

Event - Travel and Social Good Conference

The inaugural Travel+SocialGood Conference will take place on September 20th at MRV offices in NYC.

In partnership with the +SocialGood initiative headed by the UN Foundation, UNDP, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Case Foundation & Mashable. This half-day exploration of the nexus between travel, technology, and social good.

The Hyperloop: Solar Powered Rapid Transportation

The Hyperloop is a solar powered ultra high speed transportation system. It involves wheel-less capsule shaped cars in a low-pressure tube that travels at speeds up to 800 miles an hours.

The capsules ride a cushion of air blasted from “skis” beneath, propelled via a magnetic linear accelerator. What makes this project standout is the fact that it is powered by renewable energy, it is cost effective and perhaps most importantly, it is fast.

The travel time between San Francisco and Los Angeles is estimated to be around 30 minutes for the Hyperloop. This compares very favorably with other forms of ground transportation. The trip between San Francisco and Los Angeles takes about 5.5 hours by car and about 2.7 hours via California’s planned high-speed rail.