Travel is one of the most exciting and enriching experiences out there. However, it can sometimes get a bad rap for its significant environmental impact, especially when it comes to long, exotic journeys. In fact, The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that tourism is expected to account for 5.3% of all man-made CO2 emissions by 2030. While it’s true that certain travel habits do have a negative effect on the environment, savvy travelers have the choice to explore in intelligent, eco-friendly ways. Read on as we run down our green traveler checklist and break down other sustainable travel tips.
Mindful Packing for Eco-Travel: Green Strategies
Choose Your Destination Carefully: In most cases, the vast majority of your environmental impact occurs when getting to and from your vacation spot. This is especially true for long-distance flights, especially since aviation accounts for around 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Consider vacationing closer to home or saving up time for extended travel overseas, checking off several dream vacation spots in a row with less transit involved.
Pack Light: It’s not just where you go – it’s what you bring with you, too. Mindful packing for eco-travel is vital, encouraging travelers to carefully consider each item they bring along and leave nonessentials at home. For one, a consistent effort by travelers to pack fewer items could significantly reduce the weight carried by our planes, trains, and cars, improving fuel efficiency for the same trip. Smaller bags also enable you to take smaller, more efficient transportation, as well as make far-cleaner public transit a more attractive option.
Eco-Friendly Travel Practices: Sustainable Transportation Choices
Consider Alternatives to Flying: This goes hand in hand with choosing your destination. While it’s sometimes necessary, flying has a significantly higher carbon footprint per passenger than any other type of travel. Instead of a short flight, look into the potential for a road trip with stops along the route to enhance the journey. Train and boat travel are also relatively low in their carbon emissions per passenger, in addition to providing a unique and memorable experience.
Go Hybrid (or Electric) on the Road: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that 29% of greenhouse gas emissions come from cars. Therefore, those who take to the roads can further reduce their environmental impact by driving an electric or hybrid vehicle. While fully electric models provide next to no net emissions and are great for shorter trips, hybrid models allow even longer (but still greener) travel without worrying about finding a charging station.
Eco-Travel Exploration: Sustainable and Enjoyable Activities
Consider Your Impact: The effect of your actions can linger long after you’ve returned home. Even small actions like picking a wildflower or leaving behind a piece of trash can add up over time, dramatically altering a landscape. Keep this in mind and do your best to leave no trace so future generations can enjoy the same sights.
Work With Reputable Tour Guides and Agencies: It can sometimes be challenging to figure out whether a tour provider or agency is legitimate, but it’s more important than ever when looking to enjoy outdoor activities responsibly. Unscrupulous providers may not know or respect vital rules to lower their and your environmental footprint. Ensure locals and future generations of visitors can also enjoy your experience by ensuring eco-conscious travel guides or tour operators take their responsibilities to the planet seriously.
Green Travel Made Easy: Your Eco-Conscious Planning Guide
Keep this green traveler checklist in mind as you plan your next journey, and you’ll be able to enjoy countless adventures with minimal harm to the planet. With just a tiny amount of awareness and a few tweaks to your habits, you may be surprised how much of your environmental impact you can reduce, even while enjoying a vacation.
Want to make an impact from the comfort of your home? Explore Indra Energy’s 100% renewable electricity and natural gas carbon offset pricing options here.
