Ten Tips for More Sustainable Travel

The benefits of traveling are endless for both travelers and the economic impact they can have for the place, and we would never deter anyone from visiting their happy places. But no matter how far away you roam, traveling has an environmental impact. awareness is power, and with that awareness, we can make simple choices to lessen our negative impacts on the places we love - while the aviation industry, rail infrastructure, and renewable energy sector get their acts together.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Here are a few tried and true ways to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling.

1. Assess your mode of transportation.

   Trains, planes, or an automobile? As a general rule of thumb, if you are staying closer to home try to avoid flying. Trains and buses are standardly lower emissions than driving. If you drive, carpool with friends and family heading in your same direction.

2. Book Non-Stop Flights

   Take-off and landing are when airplanes release the most CO2. Direct flights also take the most efficient path. With a direct flight, you will arrive to your destination in one fell swoop and travel more sustainably. 

3. Pack Light For Planes

   Those pesky luggage weight limits aren’t just to drive you bonkers. The more the plane weighs, the more fuel is needed to fly. If you’re a chronic over-packer, consider being mindful of how many outfits you need for the trip. Depending on the water systems on where you are traveling, washing your clothes isn't necessarily the better solution. So for more sustainable travel, try leaving that extra ‘just-in-case shirt’ at home. 

4. Forget Plastic It’s Not Fantastic

   Bring your own water bottle and cutlery set while traveling. If you’re somewhere with potable tap water, refill your bottle instead of buying bottled water. Remember that bottled water is less regulated than tap, so honestly, there is no guaranteeing your bottled water is any better for you. Also, remember to refuse plastic cups and utensils from flight attendants or any other situation that might arise. 

5. Explore Efficiently 

   If available taking a tour bus, public transportation and trains are more efficient ways to explore a destination than driving yourself or taking ride shares. Walking and biking are wonderful ways to see places as well. If you do rent a car, try out an electric or hybrid model.

6. Stimulate the local economy

   Trying the local cuisine and patronizing local businesses instead of chains is a phenomenal way to stimulate the local economy and ensure are actually giving back to the communities you are visiting. The carbon footprint associated with local produce is also much lower.

7. Eco-Friendly Hotels

   The best way to find out what a hotel is doing to decrease its carbon footprint is is by checking its website. If a hotel is doing anything, they most likely will have it listed out in the sustainability section of their website. If you are working with a travel agent, be sure to let them know sustainability is a priority when selecting hotels and activities. Before checking out of your hotel, be sure to leave comments suggesting actions the hotel should be taking towards sustainability (i.e. no individualized plastic bottles of shampoo). Finally, hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door to keep your sheets and towels from being washed prematurely. 

8. Prioritize Sustainable Locations and Activities

   Economic development can be a big driver for advertising to tourists, but many places are not equipped with the infrastructure and long-term planning needed to sustain their ecosystems while benefiting their local communities. Before traveling to a destination, research how they are handling tourism and if the location is being overrun. Try to travel during slow seasons and prioritize locations doing the work to maintain their environments. Next plan for activities that fund sustainability like national parks, ecotourism, and other accredited nature tours. If swimming or going into the water, be sure to wear natural sunscreens approved to be reef safe. 

9. Offset Your Carbon Footprint

   Before offsetting the carbon footprint of your next vacation, remember that offsets do not erase the footprint of your trip. The flight will still release pollution into the air. Offsets are an ATTEMPT at best to create balance by helping to fund projects that are capturing CO2 (for example tree planting). Still proceed mindfully through your trip, even if you are off-setting. Lastly, be sure to choose an offsetting program accredited by a third party.

10. Relish Your Travels

    Try picking one spot to travel to and enjoying that one place fully instead of cramming as many destinations as possible into one trip. Your carbon footprint for one trip can easily double itself with destination hopping. Taking time to dive into the food, culture, and natural wonders of a location can be so much more rewarding than a whirlwind trip. An abundance mindset that these other destinations will be available for you to visit in the future is a good start.