I don't subscribe to the notion that living a sustainable life means giving up travel. While travel, flying in particular, is a huge source of carbon emissions and waste, we can all strive to be eco-tourists and enjoy the planet while minimizing our impact on the environment or local communities.
Because frankly, how can we care about this world, the environment, and the communities that will be affected by climate change the most without firsthand experience? Not to mention the communities that rely on tourism as an integral part of their financial stability.
Instead of boycotting travel altogether, let's discuss how we can participate in eco-tourism this travel season. Here are 15 ways to make holiday more sustainable this year!
Before you leave:
Use Google to find flights with lowest estimated emissions. Takeoff and landing are typically the most energy-intensive parts of a flight. Typically, a non-stop flight will save more CO2.
Plan to stay at a sustainable accommodation by using tools such as Ecobnb or Google.
Pack light! Rethink buying/packing "vacation outfits" that you'll wear once on vacation and donate/toss. A carry-on should easily accommodate a week's worth of toiletries and clothing.
Eat, preserve, give away produce. This planning should be done a few days in advance, and prevents your hard-earned groceries from spoiling while you're out. Some of my favorite ways to use up a variety of fruits and veggies are soups, smoothies, stir-fry's, and pasta sauces!
Turn off power strips and electronics. Even when not in use, electronics plugged in to outlets use what is called phantom energy, which can account for upwards of 10% of your electric bill!
No need to AC/heat an empty home. If you have furry friends or sensitive plants, set the thermostat to safe levels.
During the trip:
1. Maximize how much time you're planning on spending at each location. Instead of jumping from city to city and spending just a day or two at each hotel, spend more time in each location. This has the added effect of becoming more engaged in the local culture.
2. Take public transport, walk, and bike when possible.
3. Eat at small, local restaurants rather than chains like Mickey-D's. When you spend money in a local economy, that money stays in the community you are visiting.
4. Have reusables such as a straw, water bottle, and fork/spoon available in your bag to prevent utilizing on-the-go disposables
5. If driving, try Google maps (offline maps are a lifesaver!) to find the most environmentally friendly routes.
6. Skip the souvenirs. If you are buying, support local artisans rather than mass-produced trinkets that probably came from outside of the country you're visiting. During our honeymoon, my husband and I started a tradition where we purchase a Christmas tree decoration from each place we visit together from a local artisan. It adds a treasure-hunt aspect to the trip which is a lot of fun!
7. If hiking, stay on trail. This keeps native ecosystems and vegetation in tip-top shape.
After the trip:
Consider offsetting your carbon emissions. Careful, not all carbon-offsets are created equal.
Write reviews for the small ma' and pa' shops you've loved along the way to help a small business and future travelers
Remember, you are a visitor in someone else's home. Take time to learn about the do's and don'ts of the local communities, as well as how environmental stressors are affecting their day to day lives.
Enjoy your vacay!
xoxo
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