Climate emergency and extinction due to climate change have become the most concerned topics of this decade. The governments across the world are being forced to acknowledge climate change and take action until there is time. Even the United Nations has started a campaign called Act Now to generate awareness against climate change. The ActNow Bot even recommends daily actions that individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint. The more people join and act, the bigger will be the impact. One of the actions that this initiative talks about is greener travel. So, what is this ‘Green Travel’, and how it impacts climate change?
Green Travel has two main aspects related to it. First being the implementation of responsible travel practices to reduce the carbon footprint. The second aspect is related to eco-tourism. In short, green travel means that you shouldn’t litter, damage the environment or waste natural resources. In the past few years, tourism has shown exponential growth as people have started traveling to global destinations. Thus being environment-conscious is important if you plan to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute towards saving the environment. Some tips that you can practice to become an environment-friendly traveler are:
Traveling Green
Air travel causes the maximum impact on the environment because of the enormous amount of fuel a plane burns in a single flight. This increases the carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere which damages the ozone layer. If you are traveling internationally, then you might not have any option other than taking a flight to your destination. But if you have a domestic travel planned, you can switch to other travel alternatives like trains, buses, cars, etc. The carbon emissions by land transport are almost half as compared to air travel. Nowadays hybrid vehicles that release fewer emissions also run on intercity routes. You can use local transport while commuting within a city you are traveling to.
Travel Plan
During your travel pack as light as you can. You can also create an eco-friendly traveling kit that consists of recyclable items like paper straw, reusable spoons, biodegradable Nespresso coffee pods, reusable water bottles, etc. While booking a stay you can choose hotels or BnBs that are environmentally responsible. Or you can book your vacation with a tour company that operates sustainability. By traveling in groups you will not only reduce the carbon footprint but also make new friends. By taking these small steps your trip will be more comfortable and cause minimal impact on the environment.
Greener Stay
During your stay in the city that you are visiting eat local produce. You should also buy souvenirs from local shops. By supporting the local community, you reduce the carbon footprint and benefit the locals. Use the electricity in your hotel wisely and dispose of the waste in designated bins only. Try to use less water for showering and shut the taps while brushing. Don’t waste the toiletries given by the hotel. Take them home instead if anything is left. If you are staying at a place that practices environmentally-friendly activities, participate in a few of them. It will be time well spent in learning new techniques to preserve the environment.
Green Sightseeing
When you go out for sightseeing, make sure that you adhere to environment-friendly activities. Go out in small groups to cause less environmental havoc. Stay away from animals and don’t feed them. Take care not to cause harm to any flora or fauna in the locality. Throw the trash at designated places only and don’t leave empty bottles at tourist places. Respect the locals and try to learn more about their culture. Try to take part in volunteering activities if you get a chance to give back to the local communities. Do your best to become a part of the community instead of just visiting the place.
Take offbeat paths
The major landmarks in any tourist location are always crowded with people. There is a lot of litter and waste generated. Hence, the impact on the environment is high at these locations. Taking the road less taken is a good option to explore offbeat destinations. By doing so you will be going through the heart of your travel destination. Not only you will get to experience nature from close but also reduce your carbon footprint. Taking an offbeat trip would be a once in a lifetime experience that you would cherish for years.
If you have started thinking about becoming an eco-friendly traveler, then you are heading in the right direction. By taking the above-mentioned small steps you can go light on the environment and the destination you are visiting. There are many other ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint. The key is to be cautious of your actions and act as wisely as you can.