As wonderful as travelling is, it is not always the most earth-friendly activity, especially when it involves long-distance flights and luxury hotels. There are ways to reduce our impact on the environment when we travel, and it does not need to be in a way that is uncomfortable or a hassle.
Faced with a rapidly changing climate, our planet needs all the help it can get. The following tips are just a few easy ways in which you can help make a difference when next you set out on an adventure.
Carbon-Clever Flying Tips
Aeroplanes are one of the worst offenders when it comes to the carbon footprints of various transport methods. It is not always possible or practical to travel the way teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg does, which is to travel by rail, road, or sail. If you need to fly, you can do it in a way that reduces your carbon footprint.
One way is to fly economy class because doing so is five times less heavy on carbon per person. Packing light also helps, as does travelling directly to your destination.
Eat With the Locals
An eco-friendly travel tip that is also good for your budget is to eat with the locals. Instead of opting for the same boring old global brands that you can find at home, look for the establishments owned and favoured by locals.
They tend to use locally produced ingredients, rather than imported processed foods, which means a smaller carbon footprint created when getting the food from producer to the table. You can use the money to save to try your luck at online betting sites that are licensed and regulated.
Water-Wise Travelling
Many of us can remember that, just a few years ago, bottled water was almost indispensable when travelling. It is not, of course.
When travelling in countries where drinking tap water is not recommended, you can use a portable water purifier or water purification tablets. Some countries have potable water stations set up in major cities. You can find them easily with the help of apps. Remember to be water-wise when brushing your teeth and showering.
Interact With Animals Ethically
For centuries, interactions with wild animals have been tourist attractions in various countries. From organised hunts to elephant rides, human beings have exploited animals for our own senseless purposes. It is high time we focused on ethical animal interactions instead.
Ways in which you can do this is to avoid circuses, zoos, and aquariums. Instead, visit conservation and rehabilitation centres that allow animals to roam freely in their natural habitat. Avoid demonstrations or shows that let people handle animals.
Reuse and Recycle
If you have toothpaste, soap, or other bathing and personal grooming products left over at the end of your stay, it would be a crime not to take them with you, and keep using them until you have finished them – and then recycle or reuse the plastic bottles in which some of them were packaged. Another way of recycling on holiday is to take information leaflets, brochures, and maps to a tourism office so that someone else can use them.
