Many of us are concerned with leaving as small a carbon footprint on the earth as possible each day. We want to be kind to our environment and yet we also want to travel and see this world that we love so much. The question is; are travel and environmental conservatism mutually exclusive? The answer is NO. We can engage in eco-friendly travel, and there are several things that we can do to make our travel more eco-friendly.
Before we leave home:
* We can choose to travel by public transportation means because less carbon based fuel is burned per person to get from point A to point B.
* If we MUST fly, we can choose nonstop flights. Those takeoffs and landings burn a LOT of fuel.
* If we must travel by personal vehicle, we can put as many people into a vehicle as possible rather than taking multiple vehicles.
* We can also turn off lights, unplug all appliances and chargers, and adjust heating/cooling systems lower or higher according to the season.
* When you arrive, rent a hybrid car or, better yet, use the hotel’s shuttle system.
While we travel:
* Travel-size containers are convenient, but the extra packaging is taking a toll on the environment.
* Take your reusable water bottle with you rather than buying those plastic water bottles.
* Travel as light as possible. Extra weight requires extra fuel.
* Don’t check your good conservation habits when you check into a hotel:
–Use towels and sheets more than once; the hotel uses a lot of energy on laundry.
–Minimize travel at your destination. Use public transportation for sightseeing.
Also, we can choose destinations that practice geo-tourism. According to National Geographic, geo-tourism is “tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a place its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.”
Eco-Friendly Travel
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