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Helicopters, although great in life-saving situations and catching pesky bad guys, aren't that great when it comes to the environment. Chaa Creek an eco-resort in Belize offers helicopter rides. Many were baffled by this. Pablo from TriplePundit reckoned that a helicopter ride pollutes about 3x more than driving.
Before anyone gets up in arms, there is an ecological reason for taking a helicopter as a mode of transportation. When you walk or drive you may impact the environment of the smaller picture. A journey off the trail may lead to uprooted plants or animals ousted from their homes. A stretch of road through a pristine wilderness isn't exactly eco-friendly. There is some thought to flying high above the trees.
But helicopters are noisy and hurt the larger environmental picture. The CO2 emissions contribute to global warming. If you find yourself at an eco-resort with a helicopter, it might be wise of you to skip the ride.
The better solution for these eco-resorts is the hot air balloon. A Grist article gives some cred to traveling like the cinematic version of Phileas Fogg. Hot air balloons run on propane and are relatively clean-burning. To get even greener, it is possible to power these balloons on biodiesel.
The next time you go to an eco-resort and they offer a helicopter ride, say "No way. You guys need to get a low-impact hot air balloon." Hot air balloons are just as fun, they keep people and cars out of the wilderness and they contribute a lot less to global warming. So for your next high-flying adventure, pick a balloon over a chopper.
More on Air Travel:
5 Easy Eco Travel Tips That Make a Difference
Pony Up for Carbon Offsets When You Book Flights Online
3 Ways to Fly Green With Eco-Smarter Business Travel
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