What’s a traveler to do if you care about the environment, but also want to see the world and having a nice vacation? Sustainable travel doesn’t have to be a sacrifice. Whether you’re concerned about climate change, eager to preserve our natural wonders for future generations, or just curious what eco-conscious travel is all about, these travel tips will help you make a positive impact, with just a few changes.
Get There
It’s true that air travel is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases and a big contributor to climate change. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg brought attention to a term for it — flygskam — which translates to flight shame, when she crossed the Atlantic in a sailboat.
Some airlines are working on finding ways to use alternative jet fuels and planes that produce fewer greenhouse gases. United Airlines has pledged to purchase 100 electric planes by 2026 and has put in orders for battery-operated aircraft that could fly short-haul routes. Delta also has a bold roadmap to being eco-friendly. Last year it pledged to spend a billion dollars on sustainability efforts, including a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Until the airlines’ plans are a reality, you might want to consider whether you could take a train to your destination. Once there, try taking public transportation to leave a lighter footprint. Not only are you reducing traffic and carbon dioxide, it can also be a fun way to experience a destination like a local.
Stay in Eco-Friendly Accommodations
A lot of hotels market themselves as sustainable and eco-friendly. But is the hotel as green as it seems on its website? One way is to check out the members of Beyond Green. These are hotels vetted against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and other standards of sustainability. Every two years members undergo an on-site evaluation based on more than 50 sustainability factors.
“Our mission is to connect travelers with vetted accommodations that support the places and communities they’re visiting,” says Nina Boys, vice president of sustainability for Beyond Green. “Our members meet criteria under all three pillars of sustainable tourism –‑ nature, culture and community.”
Travel Slow
Traveling slow means taking the time to fully immerse yourself in a place. Instead of checking off multiple bucket list sites or destinations, seek out ways to come in contact with locals and enjoy the scenery. Maybe rent a bike or go on a walking tour in a place like Germany’s Black Forest, a paradise for hikers. Dozens of well-marked long-distance trails are connected by mountain huts and guesthouses where you can spend the night or just enjoy a meal or an afternoon snack or drink. Traveling slow is a leisurely way to linger longer and really get to know a place.
Get Off the Beaten Path
It’s everyone’s travel nightmare. Your dream trip turns out to be everyone else’s and ends up being an overcrowded disappointment. How do you find that authentic off-the-radar destination? Just look a little further.
Puerto Vallarta, for example, is filled with American tourists, and for good reason — it’s a great winter escape with plenty of affordable direct flights. But venture just a few miles from the city’s bustling beach and all-inclusive resorts and you’ll find a quieter side of Mexico. A 45-minute public bus ride into the Sierra Madre Mountains gets you to the award-winning Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens, the perfect place to experience Mexico’s native plants and wildlife. Have lunch on the terrace of the garden’s restaurant while taking in the sounds of birds singing along with a strolling musician. Dining here not only makes for a delightful afternoon, it shows your support for the garden’s conservation efforts.
Every destination you visit has an off-the-beaten path place to visit. It just requires doing a little homework to find it.
Say No to Plastic
Think of ways to reduce your waste along the journey. Pack stainless steel straws and your own utensils. Keep reusable bags with you to avoid single-use plastic bags at local markets or the grocery store.
Pack Light
More stuff means more fuel. On budget airlines, more stuff can also mean more money spent on hefty luggage fees. Pack as lightly as possible to conserve energy and money. Book lodging that includes a washing machine so you can take fewer clothes and wash them during your trip.
Visit Recovering Areas that Need Your Tourist Dollars
Another way to be an eco-friendly traveler is to visit areas rebuilding after a natural disaster. In 2017 the southern Caribbean island of Dominica was devastated by category 5 Hurricane Maria. Entire communities, government buildings, roads and bridges, and power and water services were damaged or destroyed. Since then, there’s been an effort to rebuild in a more sustainable, resilient way that can withstand hurricane-force winds.
One resort prepared for whatever climate change may bring is Dominica’s newly opened fully off-the-grid Coulibri Ridge. Solar panels and wind turbines provide the energy for the 14 suites; the pools are filled with purified rainwater. Buildings are made of local volcanic stones that minimize the resort’s environmental footprint, while the produce at Coulibri Ridge’s two restaurants is grown on the resort’s 285 acres or nearby farms. In addition to sustainability efforts on the property, Coulibri Ridge’s owners have created non-profits dedicated to rebuilding the local community, including the neighborhood school.
Stay Close to Home
Of course the greenest way to travel is by not traveling far. That may not sound as exciting, but truthfully, sometimes we miss out on incredible adventures in our own backyard. Thinking about a trip to experience New York’s Broadway? Many of those blockbuster musicals travel the country and could be coming to a city near you.
Midwesterners might opt to enjoy the Windy City’s theatre district. Broadway in Chicago has a year-round line-up of big-name productions — family-friendly shows like Annie and the wildly-popular Hamilton. And Midwestern opera lovers don’t have to make a trip to New York’s Metropolitan Opera when Chicago’s Lyric Opera puts on all the Italian classics, as well new interpretations of musicals like West Side Story.
Nearby cities are also a great way to go on a culinary journey without taking a long-haul flight. Seek out restaurants that are sustainable in how they source their menu. Chicago’s James Beard Award-nominated chef Rodolfo Cuadros has opened two popular vegan restaurants, Don Bucio’s Taqueria in trendy Logan Square and Bloom Plant Based Kitchen in the hip Wicker Park neighborhood.
Spend Your Vacation Budget Purposefully
“Traveling sustainably is about more than just environmental impact,” says Beyond Green’s Nina Boys. “Travelers should ask themselves where their dollar will have the most impact. That’s a good filter to use when choosing who you purchase souvenirs from, where you eat, where you stay, and what companies you support. If you’re planning to join a tour or activity, it’s always good to check if the company is owned by locals, employs local guides, and supports local organizations.”
You don’t have to be a climate change activist to travel responsibly. You just have to make choices that will result in a better, cleaner, and more hopeful future for everyone. Now, time to make those travel plans!
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