“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” — Miriam Beard
There are various shades of green travel. To find yours, start by taking your growing environmental consciousness along on your trip. Apply the same effort to preserve and protect the environment of your destination as you do at home. Take your good habits with you, and perhaps you’ll bring a few new environmental habits home.
Transportation is likely your vacation’s largest source of environmental impact. A single flight from Denver to New York produces as much carbon dioxide per passenger as an SUV produces in a month, according to USA Today.
An in depth new guide, Getting There Greener, by the Union of Concerned Scientists, compares and contrasts modes of travel to help you make environmentally sound transportation choices. For example, the guide suggests that for trips of more than 500 miles, if one or two people are traveling, it’s greener to fly direct in coach than to drive.
Once you reach your destination, earth-friendlier local transportation choices like biking, walking and public transit can provide more direct connection to the environ, and are often more cost effective than taking a cab or renting a car. If you rent a car, choose electric or hybrid. If those aren’t available, choose the smallest car that works for your purposes. Consider a train between cities, rather than another flight.
A green hotel is one that practices any number of conservation principles. Green lodging options are available in shades of green, and budget ranges from hostels to luxury hotels. Sites such as Environmentally Friendly Hotels http://www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com/ , and the Green Hotels Association http://greenhotels.com/index.php can help you find one for your destination and your budget.
At the hotel, reuse your sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day. You can write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk of the frequency you prefer. Turn off the lights and air conditioning when you leave the room, just like you would at home.
Remember to recycle and avoid disposables as much as possible when traveling. It’s more difficult away from your home base, but do your best. Take your stainless steel water bottle with you. If you have to buy bottled water, buy a gallon jug, and use your reusable bottle.
Seek locally owned restaurants and stores that use local produce, ingredients and sell locally produced products. This reduces the impact of shipping, and supports local farmers, artisans and the local economy.
When sight seeing take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but footprints.
Responsible travel expands on environmental considerations to include social consciousness. Remember to be an ambassador of good will wherever you go. Educate yourself about the customs, manners, and cultures of the region you visit, and be respectful.
These practices maximize the benefits, and minimize the negative effects of tourism. Happy green trails!
Links
To learn more, visit these sites:
- Green Travel Resources -Â Independent Traveler
- Getting There Greener -Â The Union of Concerned Scientists
- International Ecotourism Society
- Go Green Travel Green
- Environmentally Friendly Hotels
- Green Hotels Association
- Sustainable Travel International
