Travel immerses us in a wealth of stories, friendships, and lessons that no classroom can offer. However, as more travellers venture into the skies and the trails, tourism is also creating impacts on our planet. We can find examples of this in everything from plastic waste on the beach to fragile ecosystems and biodiversity harmed. Every trip has an environmental footprint. The good news? You can still see the world and avoid causing harm with a few conscious choices. Familiarize yourself with the art of eco-friendly travel, where exploration is aligned with preservation.
The Tenet of Eco-Friendly Travel
Eco-friendly travel basically means respect - respect for the environment, for nature, and for the culture and communities you visit. The notion is not to take away traveling as an activity, but to travel more consciously, acknowledging that every single decision you make, from flight choice to souvenir purchase, makes a difference. Once "leave no trace" is your paradigm, you will begin to see travel as connectivity versus consumptive.
Considerations of Transportation Choices
Transportation is the largest contributor to carbon emissions as it relates to tourism. An airplane may take you halfway across the world a lot quicker than a car, but it also has a hefty environmental impact.
When possible, travel with a lower impact:
- Use trains and buses in place of a domestic flight for shorter distances.
- Consider carpooling or renting an electric vehicle or hybrid.
- When in a city, utilizing bike share, e-scooters, or walking will benefit both your body and the planet.
If you must fly, consider an airline that uses offsets, where they invest money in projects like reforestation and renewable energy projects in return for being able to balance the carbon emissions of air travel. Not a perfect solution, but it helps in the right direction.
Staying Green at Your Destination
Where and how you stay will greatly impact your travel footprint. Eco-lodges, sustainable hotels, and locally-owned properties have a tendency to engage in environmentally friendly practices, such as using renewable energy, recycling, and giving back to the local communities.
Before you book, look for a green certification, such as Green Key, Earth Check, or Rainforest Alliance, that shows the property has made an effort to be sustainable. And if your trip involves camping, follow the basic rules of camping: use durable surfaces to camp on, pack it in and pack it out, and leave natural objects alone.
Reduce, Refill, and Reuse - Even on the Road!
Almost all travel has some type of single-use plastic, whether it is a reusable bottle or travel-size toiletries. Here are some new habits to practice while traveling:
- Bring along a reusable water bottle and try to refill it at designated refill stations.
- Pack a reusable set of bamboo cutlery and/or a metal straw.
- Bring your own reusable cloth bag for souvenirs, groceries, etc.
Many places around the world now have refill stations or stores that promote a plastic-free lifestyle. By purchasing or supporting these spaces, even with a small item, you are also supporting small businesses that are also concerned about the planet.
Supporting Local Economies While Traveling Sustainably
Traveling sustainably also means understanding the social impact of your travel. Choose to buy from local businesses rather than the global names you know. Enjoy a meal at the local cafe, purchase handmade items directly from local artisans, and book experiences that are run by residents. This helps guarantee that money stays in the community and encourages community members to continue to safeguard their culture and environment.
Sustainability is not only about the environment; it is about the residents of the destination as well. When travellers are genuinely interested and respectful of a destination, communities may be more likely to promote ecotourism instead of mass tourism.
Respecting Nature and Wildlife
Nature areas, environments, and parks are the focus of many trips. Whether you are snorkeling the coral reefs, hiking the forest, or on safari to observe wildlife, it is important to remember that nature is fragile. Never touch, feed, or act in a way that disturbs wildlife or plants, and always stay on marked trails. Seek to not support wildlife attractions such as an elephant ride or aquarium shows with captive dolphins. Instead, visit sanctuaries or other wildlife attractions.
Traveling Light and Smart
Traveling light isn’t just convenient—it also minimizes your carbon footprint. Heavier aircraft burn more fuel, and taking multiple bags creates a higher burden on all transportation systems. Wear linens and other clothing made from sustainable fabrics and utilize items made from organic cotton and hemp. Use spray bottles for toiletries that are eco-friendly, and reuse containers instead of single-use containers for all your toiletries and gear. Finally, bring gear that you trust to last you for years, instead of just leaving it behind.
The Ripple Effect of Thoughtful Travel
All of the choices that you make, that reduce your environmental impact, signal to companies, governments, and other travellers that travellers would like to travel responsibly in the future. Organizations must respond to the demand of travellers for environmentally sustainable options. That is already happening: hotels measure their water usage, airports have solar panels, and whole towns commit to zero-waste tourism.
As environmental sustainability becomes normalized, it will be easier for the average traveller or destination to follow suit.
In Closing
When a trip is over, and it is time to go home, you can ask just one question: What have I left behind? If your only trace is a few footprints that will be washed away by the tide, then you have been successful. Traveling has nothing to do with comfort or adventure, but it is about making choices that matter. The more respectful you are and the more care you show to the world, the longer we will be able to travel.
