Vacation: Culture, Architecture, and Saving Electricity
Jessica in Segovia, Spain
By Jessica Orquina
I recently returned from a trip to Spain. It is a beautiful country with varied landscapes and strong traditions. In addition to enjoying the country’s culture, architecture, and different regional foods, I was intrigued by the ways hotels and businesses in that country save energy. Since beginning to work for the EPA last winter, I have become more aware of how people and organizations around me protect the environment.
During our trip, my husband and I visited a few different regions of Spain. Of course, all of the hotels we stayed at encouraged guests to reuse towels for multiple days to not waste water. But some of the hotels also had a cool way to reduce the amount of electricity being wasted at their properties. In these hotel rooms, we needed to put the room keycard in a slot in the wall to turn on the electricity to the room. When we took the keycard out of the slot to leave the room, it automatically turned the lights and all other electrical devices off, therefore, not wasting electricity when no one was there.
This seemingly small feature made me wonder how many people don’t bother turning lights and televisions off in hotel rooms when they go out. (It’s not their electric bill, so why worry, right?) In addition to creating unnecessary monetary costs, this also creates an avoidable cost on the environment. I wonder why more hotels around the world don’t use this type of technology.
In addition, this experience reminded me how important it is to be conscious that all our actions affect the environment. Even small things – like remembering to always turn the lights and other electronic devices off when we walk out of a room – make a difference.
What technologies or practices that help protect the environment have you seen when you travel?
About the author: Jessica Orquina works in the Office of External Affairs and Environmental Education as the social media lead for the agency. Prior to joining EPA, she served as a public affairs specialist at another federal agency and is a former military and commercial airline pilot. She lives, works, and writes in Washington, DC.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Eco Travel : One of Choices !
I impressed with your groan article. However,this industry is a biggest of foreign exchange in a worldwide. Is a vacation not only stay in five star label with all of luxuries ?
What happens when one person takes the keycard to leave and the other person stay behind in the dark?
The Good Force be with you!
It is nice to hear you enjoy your vacation, Jessica, and have learned a lot in saving electricity. The world and its people now know how important to save energy and are aware of the consequences that might happen if we don’t follow.
Live forever and prosper!
Really good article, and I’m agree with you Jessica Orquina!
@ Arman: Yes, there are many options when we travel. It is my hope to see more options for travelers to help protect the environment regardless of their choice of type of vacation, where they choose to stay, or how you get there!
@ Jim: This type of system does require some coordination with your travel partner.
@ Master Melvin M. Lusterio: Thanks for reading!
@ Gianni Nocchi: Thanks and happy travels!
For folks planning a trip to Washington DC in the Spring – why not pop into our National Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall April 19-21, 2013. We’ll be showcasing sustainable designs (by some very clever college students) for environmental challenges. Learn more here: http://www.epa.gov/p3
Spain is a great country to visit and definitely the food is one the best there i must say. if you want to explore the food there they you need minimum a trip there for 2 month. thanks for the experience there for sharing.
@ tashalb: Thanks for reading my post.
Great Blog post.Thanks for sharing with us useful information.
Best Regards: