How to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Travel
By Cora Gold
Traveling can broaden your horizons and increase respect for other cultures, though it may come with environmental costs. Planes, trains, and most automobiles require fuel and create emissions as they whisk you to your next destination. However, not all hope for sustainability is lost if you’re a wanderlust — here are nine ways to reduce the environmental impact of traveling.
1. Book Direct Flights
International trips may necessitate traveling by plane despite the emissions. Reduce your environmental impact by taking direct flights, which save fuel on landing and take-off cycles. Sustainable flying also includes traveling with lighter luggage and flying economy class to reduce your carbon footprint.
2. Use Public Transit
Once you reach your destination, use public transportation as much as possible. Trains, trolleys, and buses reduce emissions by up to two-thirds per passenger because they fit many people into one vehicle. Without these transit options, the streets would be filled with cars releasing dangerous emissions.
3. Stay in Eco-Conscious Lodging
Where you stay matters just as much as how you get there. Look for hotels and resorts with sustainability features such as water and energy conservation. They may also have green building certifications to make them more credible, so be choosy about where you stay.
4. Shop at Local Businesses
Traveling with an eco-friendly mindset involves supporting the area’s economy as much as possible. Prioritize the mom-and-pop shops and restaurants because they stimulate the local economy and directly help community members. Refrain from buying imported products because they have longer supply chains and more emissions. Supporting locals can also help you feel more immersed in the culture.
5. Monitor Your Resource Consumption
When you’re in another location, you should respect it like it’s your home and monitor your resource consumption. Be careful not to waste water or energy in your hotel room.
6. Support Conservation Sites
Ecotourism is about limiting your impact, though you can still positively contribute to your surroundings. Spend your time and money with organizations that support local conservation. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are excellent options, as they use resources to care for plants and animals. In urban settings, you can support wildlife through local zoos and aquariums.
7. Volunteer on Vacation
If traveling to a coastal area, look for beach cleanup programs and coral reef restoration. Cleaning is the priority, but you can still have fun by the shore. Another way to get involved is by visiting community gardens, considering they increase access to healthy food and beautify the area. You can find many opportunities for volunteer work on WWOOF or Workaway.
8. Find Outdoor Activities
Air and sunlight are free, so get outside as much as possible on your travels. You can find activities that minimally impact the environment, from parks to rivers and oceans.
For example, birdwatching and kayaking don’t consume fuel so that you can worry less about emissions. You can also take the next step by walking or cycling to these activities, minimizing your carbon footprint.
9. Offset Your Travel Emissions
Becoming carbon-neutral or better is challenging when you’re traveling, so how can you reduce your impact? Consider offsetting your emissions with carbon credits. You can purchase these certificates through the airline you used, and it will invest the money in carbon removal projects. Alternatively, you can use third parties for green efforts like tree planting.
Being a Responsible Ecotourist on Your Travels
When you travel, the world is your oyster, but you shouldn’t take it for granted. Traveling produces emissions through consumption—especially fuel—but you can create lasting memories while reducing your environmental impact. Choose sustainability in all facets of your trip, and the planet will reward you later.
About the author: Cora Gold is a sustainability writer who aims to live a healthy, low-waste lifestyle. Read more from Cora in Revivalist magazine, LinkedIn, and Twitter.