We all know the climate is rapidly changing, but it’s not something we usually think about when we are going on vacation. In today’s post we are going to do just that. How does travel affect the environment and how do we travel more sustainably?
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The World Travel & Tourism Council found that 8-10% of all global CO2 emissions are caused by the travel and tourism sector. That sounds pretty serious. But let’s be honest, it’s not gonna stop most of us from traveling. What kinds of unsustainable tourism exist? And what are their solutions?
Unsustainable tourism
There are several ways to travel and keep the environment in mind. And I’m not just talking about the climate change here. I mean animal cruelty and people as well.
The first example that is probably still fresh in our minds are the effects of mass tourism. During Covid, barely anyone traveled, and nature could breathe for a second. Remember the canals in Venice, that haven’t looked as clear in years? Or the citizens of Northern India, who saw the Himalayan mountains for the first time, because the air wasn’t as polluted anymore?
But the lockdowns didn’t only have a positive effect on the environment, but on the inhabitants of some mass destinations as well. Some places have become practically unlivable, simply because there are so many tourists. Imagine living in a theme park. It’s daily life for some.
Many places also face polluting because the tourists leave trash everywhere or sometimes even destroy places, nature and city alike.
When you’re visiting native groups, make sure you’re respecting their privacy and rights and your not invading their spaces. While a lot of these groups dress up and give shows doesn’t mean they necessarily want to. It might just be their only way to make proper money.
Solutions to travel more sustainably
Now the good news. You can do plenty of things to minimize your footprint when traveling! These are some ways to travel more sustainably.
When booking, check your travel agency’s policies to see if they support anything you don’t agree with. Book through a tour operator that prioritizes sustainable practices instead.
When possible, go outside of peak season. You will not only save money and have more space for yourself, but you will also save the earth!
Transport
As discussed before, flying is one of the worst polluters when it comes to transportation. Luckily, many airlines give you an option to pay for CO2-compensation. If they don’t, you can still do this yourself, by googling ‘flight carbon offset’. There are several websites and organizations that offer this service. Sustainable Travel International is one of them. These organizations usually invest in green energy, so the CO2 you used is neutralized.
If flying still emits too much CO2 for your liking, look into alternatives, like going by car, bus or train. When on your destination, use public transport, rent a bike or walk.
Accommodation
When booking accommodation, look for the Green Key/Eco Label. Accommodations with this certificate use gas and water in a sustainable way and clean in an eco-friendly way.
Consider booking a eco-resort or a home stay. Eco-resorts and eco hotels make sure both nature and local citizens profit. They both make sure that you, as a guest, can experience nature and the way of living to the max!
Think about the environmental cost of your accommodation as well. For example, use your towels multiple times before you send it for a wash, turn off the lights when you leave and keep your showers short. They might seem small efforts, but added up they can have a big effect!
Touristic attractions
In my post about ethical animal tourism I talk about several different animal cruel touristic attractions, show some alternatives and explain how you as a tourist can make the right decisions. I was surprised to see how many people just don’t know when a venue is cruel or not.
Do your research and choose wisely what you want to see and do on your vacation.
Some sustainable non-animal activities include a bike ride, or a train tour. These have a much lower impact on the environment.
People
Before you visit a place, educate yourself on the culture, habits and taboos of the locals. Respect their way of life.
When eating out, go eat at local places, so you can stimulate the local economy. Shop local and buy souvenirs from local artists. This way you’re directly contributing to the well-being of the natives.
Trash
To minimize your trash, you could be mindful of the plastic, single-use products you bring on your trips. Find ways to recycle and re-use your products whenever possible.
Don’t leave any traces on your activities, like leaving trash after a picknick, going off-trail and destroying nature or picking/removing pieces of nature as a souvenir.
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Now you know how to travel (even more) sustainably. What are your favorite ways to honor mother nature on your vacations?
