Eco-Friendly Travel
No matter what mode of travel you select – train or plane – there are ways you can minimize your impact on the environment. Ask hotels to hang up towels instead of washing them repeatedly; consider purchasing a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste; etc.
Train travel is an eco-friendly travel option that produces significantly fewer carbon emissions than flying or driving, providing another eco-friendly option for travel. Other sustainable activities include hiking along marked trails, eating locally-sourced meals and maintaining an appropriate distance from wildlife to protect native flora and fauna.
1. Choose Your Destination Wisely
One of the greatest environmental impacts from travel comes from choosing destinations. One sustainable travel philosophy is Leave No Trace, which means leaving every place as it was found or even better than before your visit.
One of the best things you can do when traveling is choosing locally owned hotels, restaurants and tours – not only will this support local businesses but it will also reduce environmental strain from tourism while keeping money within the local community.
Flying isn’t going green anytime soon, but many airlines now provide carbon offset options as an indirect measure to offset some emissions from your flight. While this won’t completely eliminate all carbon emissions, it’s still an encouraging step in the right direction.
2. Travel Slowly
Traveller burnout should be avoided by taking it easy and slowing down, rather than packing your trip full of tours and attractions. Staying longer at one location allows for deeper exploration while saving both money and reducing environmental impact.
Traveling this way also allows you to connect more closely with local culture and people – perhaps join a community-based tourism project, or chat with residents about local customs.
Additionally, train travel has a much lower carbon footprint and offers you access to off-the-beaten-path towns you wouldn’t otherwise reach. Plus, taking this option gives you opportunities to offset flight emissions through investing in forestry projects or similar initiatives.
3. Reuse and Recycle
Eco-friendly travel means leaving as small an impact on the planet as possible, which means searching out accommodations that prioritize sustainability such as renewable energy sources and water reduction methods as well as using food from local farms for their menus.
Food waste is an enormous contributor to landfills, yet can be reduced through simple means like carrying reusable dishes, cups and silverware with you when dining out. You could also seek out restaurants which prioritize waste reduction strategies – order only what you can consume without overextending yourself – in order to minimize food waste.
Be sure to pack a reusable water bottle, coffee mug and utensils; bring cloth napkins instead of plastic ones when possible and select souvenirs made from recycled materials or artist-crafted sketchbooks instead of plastic souvenirs.
4. Stay Local
Consideration should always be given when traveling, including local food, water and energy resources. Traveling locally reduces your carbon footprint while supporting local businesses and limits impact on natural areas that you explore.
Be on the lookout for accommodations, destinations and tour companies certified as sustainable by an approved certifying body. Additionally, doing your research before hand to determine how companies approach sustainability will give you more of an idea of their policies.
Staying local means supporting small locally-owned businesses rather than major chain stores. If you want a truly immersive experience, volunteering opportunities such as Workaway or WWOOF may allow you to work at organic farms around the world in exchange for room and board.
5. Choose Your Means of Transportation Wisely
No matter where your travels take you, it is crucial that your transportation options take the environment into consideration. Traveling locally is one of the best ways to reduce impact while supporting local economies; if necessary, choose nonstop flights for maximum carbon reduction.
Walking is an eco-friendly form of transportation, not only saving on fuel costs but allowing you to experience more of the area and discover hidden gems you would miss otherwise through faster modes.
When flying, choose an environmentally-conscious airline which uses renewable biofuels. Although it may be impossible to have zero environmental impact when flying, there are programs which allow you to offset your flight emissions through investing in carbon reduction projects such as forestry projects.