The holiday season is here once again. It presents the perfect opportunity to pack your bags and travel to places that you have always wanted to visit. But, do you know that you can travel without leaving behind a carbon footprint? Whenever eco-friendly traveling gets mentioned, the first thing that comes to many people’s minds is “green” activities such as cross-country biking and camping.
However, there’s more to eco-friendly traveling than engaging in such extreme activities. An eco-friendly traveler is one who tries to be environmentally-conscious during his/her travels. The travel choices that you make have a significant impact on nature. Would you like to have a positive impact on nature during your travels? Here’s how you can become an eco-friendly traveler.
Choose Eco-Conscious Hotels
Many eco-friendly hotels, lodges, and hostels are popping up around to world. These are meant to cater to the growing number of eco-friendly travelers. Such establishments make great choices in helping offset the ecological impact of traveling by doing the following.
Book Direct Flights
According to the New York Times, the environmental impact of aviation is worse than anyone expected, with air travel emissions being at an all-time high. Takeoffs and landings consume the highest amount of fuel than flying itself. You can play a part in reducing greenhouse aviation emissions by booking non-stop flights to your destinations.
Consider Slow Travel
Many travelers have packed schedules. Often, this prevents them from visiting all the places that they hoped to visit when planning their travels, due to limited time. Slow travel can help you visit all those must-see destinations on your bucket list.
The travel hack emphasizes taking time to fully immerse yourself in the local culture while traveling, rather than merely scratching the surface. This article at Lottoland discusses the benefits of slow travel. It states that the most significant advantage of slow traveling is the eco-friendly way it allows you to see new places and have a better understanding of local cultures.
Instead of flying from one destination to another within a short time, slow traveling allows you to live with local communities. You get to immerse yourself in their culture, and thoroughly explore the destination. What’s more, you get to travel using a bicycle or on foot whenever possible, thus minimizing your carbon footprint.
Pack Light
It’s a no-brainer that when flying, every kilo counts. If a plane weighs more, it will have a higher carbon emission. To lower the emissions, you should only pack items that you’ll need when traveling. Simple hacks go a long way in minimizing your baggage. For instance, pack multi-purpose clothes, and if you are an avid reader, download your favorite books on Kindle.
Respect Natural Spaces
For you to be considered an eco-friendly traveler, the phrase “only leave footprints behind” should apply to you. As cheesy as it sounds, the phrase should be your mantra wherever you go. When visiting natural spaces such as parks, mountains, or beaches, for instance, take your trash with you when leaving.
Resist the temptation of feeding wild animals and touching or altering the environment by taking anything. Try leaving those places cleaner than you found them. In this regard, do not hesitate to pick up litter that you come across along on hiking paths or beaches, and throw it away.
Support Local Communities and Initiatives
The best way to enjoy your travels is by living among local communities. While at it, ensure that you support local businesses. Eat local food, and shop locally. Avoid buying products from your home country since it only increases your baggage.
It’s also essential to respect the local customs and cultures when traveling. Dress respectfully, and if time allows, do some volunteer work. Also, undertake eco-friendly tours, especially in parks. This will go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint as you travel.
There’s so much that you can do to make your travels eco-friendly. Tourism’s global carbon footprint is currently higher than it was previously estimated. To become an environmentally-friendly traveler, you should adapt your travels to lessen your carbon footprint.
Article written by Dane
(Photo by 23560963@N03 via Flickr)
Choose Eco-Conscious Hotels
Many eco-friendly hotels, lodges, and hostels are popping up around to world. These are meant to cater to the growing number of eco-friendly travelers. Such establishments make great choices in helping offset the ecological impact of traveling by doing the following.
- Responsible use of electricity for heating/cooling
- Eliminating water wastage through reuse/recycling
- They are established in locations that don't damage the environment
- Promotion of eco-friendly practices such as beach cleanup and afforestation activities
Book Direct Flights
According to the New York Times, the environmental impact of aviation is worse than anyone expected, with air travel emissions being at an all-time high. Takeoffs and landings consume the highest amount of fuel than flying itself. You can play a part in reducing greenhouse aviation emissions by booking non-stop flights to your destinations.
Consider Slow Travel
Many travelers have packed schedules. Often, this prevents them from visiting all the places that they hoped to visit when planning their travels, due to limited time. Slow travel can help you visit all those must-see destinations on your bucket list.
The travel hack emphasizes taking time to fully immerse yourself in the local culture while traveling, rather than merely scratching the surface. This article at Lottoland discusses the benefits of slow travel. It states that the most significant advantage of slow traveling is the eco-friendly way it allows you to see new places and have a better understanding of local cultures.
Instead of flying from one destination to another within a short time, slow traveling allows you to live with local communities. You get to immerse yourself in their culture, and thoroughly explore the destination. What’s more, you get to travel using a bicycle or on foot whenever possible, thus minimizing your carbon footprint.
Pack Light
It’s a no-brainer that when flying, every kilo counts. If a plane weighs more, it will have a higher carbon emission. To lower the emissions, you should only pack items that you’ll need when traveling. Simple hacks go a long way in minimizing your baggage. For instance, pack multi-purpose clothes, and if you are an avid reader, download your favorite books on Kindle.
Respect Natural Spaces
For you to be considered an eco-friendly traveler, the phrase “only leave footprints behind” should apply to you. As cheesy as it sounds, the phrase should be your mantra wherever you go. When visiting natural spaces such as parks, mountains, or beaches, for instance, take your trash with you when leaving.
Resist the temptation of feeding wild animals and touching or altering the environment by taking anything. Try leaving those places cleaner than you found them. In this regard, do not hesitate to pick up litter that you come across along on hiking paths or beaches, and throw it away.
Support Local Communities and Initiatives
The best way to enjoy your travels is by living among local communities. While at it, ensure that you support local businesses. Eat local food, and shop locally. Avoid buying products from your home country since it only increases your baggage.
It’s also essential to respect the local customs and cultures when traveling. Dress respectfully, and if time allows, do some volunteer work. Also, undertake eco-friendly tours, especially in parks. This will go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint as you travel.
There’s so much that you can do to make your travels eco-friendly. Tourism’s global carbon footprint is currently higher than it was previously estimated. To become an environmentally-friendly traveler, you should adapt your travels to lessen your carbon footprint.
Article written by Dane
(Photo by 23560963@N03 via Flickr)
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