Taking a vacation is a human necessity. We all need a break, and it is refreshing to reset with time away from the hustle and bustle. However, with increasing pressure to live our lives following eco-friendly initiatives while always protecting the environment, how is this incorporated into the holiday setting? Surely, there are ways we can travel and make it Earth friendly? Well, of course there are. These are the top tips for eco-friendly vacationing.
Avoid Air Travel
It is no secret that air travel is extremely harmful to the environment and given the amount of celebrity private jet scandals going around, nobody wants to be caught in the spotlight for hopping on too many planes. Aviation independently causes around 2% of global CO2 emissions, which is not something to be overly proud of. So, where there is an alternative option, it is probably time to explore it. Consider any of the following.
- An electric car cross-country trip: If you are looking at a car as an alternate means of travel why not take it one step further and go electric? The advantages are hard to ignore, and if you are unfamiliar, you can learn from LV Electrix’s Guide.
- A sleeper train: Trains are not great when it comes to pollution, but they are still better than planes, and anything that offsets that carbon emission is preferable. You become a little more sustainable simply by opting for something slower, on the ground and less imposing.
- A bike: Okay, so a bike is not majorly practical for going abroad but it can work as a mode of transport. Plus, there is an added adventure factor that makes the journey feel that bit more authentic than other options. Combine it with camping under the stars (at strategically chosen locations) and you’ve got yourself a wild vacation.
Stay Local
Of course, if you really want to be sustainable there is always the option of staying somewhere closer to home. Few people explore where they live, what is nearby, the driving/biking distance landmarks on offer, but there are bound to be a few surprises to take in. Even limiting traveling time from say six hours driving to two hours driving will have a positive effect. All the slight changes act accumulatively, especially when impacted on a global scale.
Explore the Community Near Your Destination
If you do travel abroad, research the trip before you go. There is a lot of value in staying clear of the well-trodden path, avoiding tourist traps and major attractions, and finding your own route. Ask the native residents for their best recommendations or pick a point on a map and see where the day takes you. When you stick closer to your accommodation and avoid all the usual excitement, you not only get a more authentic experience, but you also save money, find more peace and make core Avoid Animal Attractions
Stay Away from Plastic
Plastic, much like airplanes, is slowly becoming demonized in society. It is responsible for a lot of pollution and destruction, so the contempt is understandable in the right context. The main issue is that is does not go away, in that it is not biodegradable and the process of making it is harmful too. Yet, there are so many convenient products that travelers tend to get lured into the plastic honey trap and, end up taking mini plastic containers with them in their suitcase. Instead of buying sole use water bottles, take a reusable one with you. A simple change like this can have a major impact, and it is a solid practice to get into for once the holiday is over.
Go to a Sustainable Destination
There is an accredited list of sustainable countries and cities that you can choose from for your holiday. These are the places that take eco-practices very seriously and move with them naturally in daily life. Their residents are environmentally minded and so are buildings, general infrastructure, transport considerations and even commerce too. If you want to find true sustainability abroad, seek out one of these countries to see what is on offer and, you might even be inspired to make some changes in your own life too.
Buy Local
For a long time, the local people did not benefit from tourism as it went largely to the big corporations like hotels and chain restaurants. Consider staying in a smaller accommodation or eating out at a nearby restaurant instead of opting for the normal options. Support the community by doing your shopping in their small business’s offerings. Not only will you be supporting the native economy, but you will be reducing your carbon footprint too.
Sustainable travel is within your reach if you adopt a few core changes against your usual habits. The world is changing, so why not jump on the bandwagon and start making those positive changes too?
