Exploring the world and discovering the beauty of different cultures can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. But if you learn to do it sustainably, it can also impact the planet in a positive way. Sustainable travel is the perfect way to experience new places and cultures while also protecting our environment. Find out how you can be an eco-friendly explorer.
1. Get Inspired: Discover Eco-Friendly Options for Sustainable Travel
If you’re ready to go on an eco-friendly getaway, here are some inspiring ideas to get you thinking about sustainable travel.
Choose Carbon-Neutral Accommodations
The accommodation provider you choose for your travels plays a big role in how green your trip is. Search out hotels and other lodging providers that go beyond the basics when it comes to sustainability. Many sustainability-focused companies use renewable energy sources, re-use water, support wildlife and investing in local communities. Ask the provider about their environmental policy and what solutions they’ve put in place.
Make Low/No-Impact Travel Choices
When you’re planning your journey, consider transportation options that are as low-impact on the planet as possible. Take a bus, bike or train if you can, or try carpooling or ride-sharing. Before you undertake air travel, look for carbon offsetting services and low CO2 airlines. Besides reducing your own carbon footprint, these options will also show you the beauty of the land and people you’re travelling through.
Pack Responsibly
Packing responsibly is another way to ensure your journey creates less waste. Bring washable bottles and packing cubes that can be reused. If you need to buy items for your trip, purchase ones made with recycled material and aim to support local suppliers as much as you can. When you’re finished with whatever you’ve brought, think about donating it to a local charity or give it away to people or organisations that may still need it.
Give Back During Your Trip
Giving back is one of the best ways to create a positive environmental impact when travelling. You could:
- Leave no trace behind by disposing of litter responsibly, and avoiding activities that damage or disrupt the landscape.
- Volunteer with an organisation that focuses on conservation, sustainability, or protecting the local culture.
- Learn about sustainability from locals and the non-profits they support.
- Donate to the causes and initiatives that make a difference in the places you visit.
2. Embrace a Greener Lifestyle: Easy Tips for Every Aspiring Explorer
Traveling is an incredible opportunity to experience the world–the cultures, flavors, customs, and history all combine to create unforgettable memories. In order to ensure that each adventure is respectful to the environment as well as the inhabitants of the places visited, here are some easy tips to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle for the aspiring explorer:
- Choose Reusable Shopping Bags: The typical plastic bag takes over 500 years to decompose, and many of them are constantly ending up in the oceans and posing a danger to the local wildlife. An excellent alternative is to choose cloth or even reusable plastic bags that are easy to clean and carry.
- Avoid Single-Use Plastics: It’s estimated that the world consumes over 1 million plastic bottles per minute, and this number is only increasing. When shopping for drinks, look for ones that come in glass bottles, or better yet, bring your own with you in a reusable water bottle (another great item to remember when exploring! )
- Be Mindful of What You Buy: While it can be tempting to purchase souvenirs and trinkets as reminders of a trip, be sure to check labels and confirm that the purchases are not made from endangered wildlife products, or from any materials that make environmental destruction their production primary goal.
- Limit Your Water Usage: Taking long, leisurely showers after days full of adventure is incredibly tempting, but try to limit your water use during those experiences. When possible, taking short, cold showers is a great way to stay fresh without wasting an incredible amount of water in the process.
Making sustainable choices when exploring the world doesn’t have to be difficult; it’s simply a matter of putting in a little extra thought into all of the decisions made. By using these easy tips, aspiring explorers the world over can enjoy a more sustainable way of life while continuing to travel and experience the wonders of the world around them.
3. Be Mindful: Choose Responsible Accommodation & Transport
Our planet’s resources are precious, so when you are planning your next vacation, make sure you travel responsibly. Thoughtful accommodation and transportation choices can help to ensure you are contributing to the preservation of the beauty and environment of the destination you are visiting.
Here are some ways you can choose wisely to pick responsible travel and stay options:
- Choose green accommodation: Look for hotels that use natural resources responsibly, use energy-efficient lightings, and select electricity providers who practice green energy. Some hotels even offer green car rentals to their guests.
- Choose sustainable transport: Consider public transport options for your travels. Educate yourself on the best local buses, metro, or trains as they are the most sustainable way to get around. You can also research the availability of electric buses, solar ships, or battery-powered ferries.
- Walk & cycle: For shorter distances, walking and cycling can be the ideal way to explore a new destination. You get the added benefit of experiencing the culture and customs of where you are travelling, and you are also doing your bit for the environment.
- Rent a car: If you find that you need a car, make sure you go with an environmentally-friendly option. This can include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, or cars that run on biofuel.
Finally, plan your travel to minimise your carbon footprint. Consider traveling to your destination by train, or look out for airlines that have a lower carbon footprint. Researching your options is key to making mindful travel decisions that are beneficial to both you and the planet.
4. Make an Impact: Shine a Light on Sustainable Travel Everywhere You Go
Sustainable travel is something that every one of us should contribute to. Whether you are a tourist, a business traveler, a student, or a retiree, you can make a huge impact — both in your own travels and when talking about sustainability to friends, family, colleagues, and others.Here are a few ways you can make a difference:
- Encourage Responsible Travel Practices: You can help to reduce the environmental and cultural footprints of tourism by asking questions about environmental policies at hotels and other facilities, and by investing in local businesses and services.
- Share Sustainable Travel Stories and Photos with Your Network: Sharing positive stories and images related to green travel can help to promote the sustainable practices that you’ve experienced with your own travels. You can use social media, blogging, and photography to spread the word!
- Be an Educator: Everywhere you go, from restaurants to shops, take the time to educate those you meet about the importance of sustainable practices. You can suggest new ways that businesses in the area can become more sustainable and help to reduce their environmental footprint.
Remember to do your own research before investing in sustainable travel options – some may be too expensive or not reliable enough for your needs. But, if you have the resources and motivation, investing in sustainable options can truly make a difference.
Finally, make sure that you continue to stay informed about the state of green travel internationally. Different countries have different levels of accessibility to sustainable practices, so it is important to stay up to date with the latest developments.
Travel is a journey that is a part of each of us, and the ability to find ways to travel sustainably make this journey even more meaningful. With a little insight and knowledge, you can become an eco-friendly explorer and make a difference in the world. Let’s all take the time to explore the world in a more conscientious manner!