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We travel to see the world — but if we want to ensure that there will always be a world left worth seeing, we should start thinking of our sojourns not only as personal respites but also as the means by which to improve things little by little.

Here's what you can do to help.

1. Give as you go

Make your trip count by giving your tourism dollars to companies that take action to better the world. Intrepid Travel ([866] 847-8192, http://www.intrepidtravel.com ), an adventure-tour outfit, matches clients' donations dollar for dollar for developing-world causes, such as protecting children and preventing AIDS.

FOR THE RECORD:

Humanitarian group: An article on environmentally responsible travel in the Feb. 4 Travel section referred to Lelei LeLaulu, a man who is president of the global humanitarian group Counterpart International, as "she." —

Locally, Redondo Beach's Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club ([310] 379-8481, http://www.hotelportofino.com ) donates proceeds from its Stay and Save a Sea Lion package to MAR3INE, a nonprofit supporting marine mammal rehabilitation.

2. Think when you fly

Experts speculate that negative emissions at high altitudes have greater effects, which would make airplanes prime culprits in global warming.

You can buy "offsets" to mitigate your carbon output. These are invested in energy-efficient and renewable-energy projects ([720] 273-2975, http://www.sustainabletravel.com ). Or calculate your share and get other ideas at Terra Pass ([877] 879-8026, http://www.terrapass.com ) or Be Green Now ([512] 691-6325, http://www.begreennow.com .)

Also choose airports such as Seattle-Tacoma International, Baltimore-Washington International and Oakland International that make significant trash recycling efforts.

3. Buy — or don't — for effect

Avoid souvenirs and products made from endangered plants or animals, which cannot legally be brought into the U.S. (That tortoiseshell necklace may look beautiful, but a century-old creature may have been slaughtered for it.) For souvenirs, choose items of local origin.

Wherever you go, take a reusable bag for your purchases; cloth totes work best.

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