13 Best Eco-Friendly Ways to Travel
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Traveling is all about losing yourself in nature and rediscovering the beauty that lies therein. It’s about going on adventures and expanding your mind, learning more about yourself in the process.
With that said, if there is one thing that every traveller should keep in mind as they venture out, it’s that they have a duty to travel in a responsible manner.
If you want to touch the earth gently as you go and leave the world in better shape, consider traveling in an eco-friendly way.
Writer Jade Piper share’s why eco-friendly travel is more important than ever and 13 easy ways to be more sustainable on the road.
Why travel in an eco-friendly way?
Well, the obvious reason for eco-friendly travel is that it’s just better for the planet.
The travel industry is responsible for a lot of CO2 emissions from cars, planes, trains, and more, which in turn contribute a great deal to global warming and climate change.
Global warming is the reason behind a lot of the environmental problems we’re currently dealing with as a planet: melting polar ice caps, flooding in major cities, loss of biodiversity throughout the world, and more.
It’s safe to say that there are a lot of reasons to want to prevent this problem.
Furthermore, research has shown that more and more people are switching to eco-friendly travel for many reasons:
- To preserve the beauty of rainforests and coral reefs
- To reduce the negative impact of tourism on the locations they travel to
- To facilitate the good and positive effects that sustainable tourism has on local populations
- To reduce the effects of unstable tourism on the countries they visit
The rule of thumb about traveling in an eco-friendly way is to touch the earth lightly. Leave no trace wherever you go. Here are some of the ways to achieve this:
1. Remember to unplug your home before you leave
Whether you’ll be away for a weekend or a week, remember to unplug everything in your home. As long as you have something plugged in, it continuously seeps a little energy from the grid even if you are not using it.
The simple act of unplugging will save you a fortune in electricity bills while also allowing you to be less wasteful at the same time. Always remember that every green-minded trip begins at home.
2. Pack light
Packing lighter than you normally do might seem like a very small thing, but it always adds up.
Packing one suitcase instead of two means the plane or the bus or the car will be that much lighter, allowing them to consume less fuel in the process.
3. Cycle instead of driving
Cycling is not only a pollution-free mode of transport but it’s also good for your health! This makes it a great choice for both you and the environment.
4. Use public transport
If you are traveling to a city, use metros, buses, trams, or carpool for longer distances. If you are going on vacation, take a long train ride and enjoy the scenery instead of driving to your destination.
5. If you must drive, use NGV
Natural gas vehicles (NGV) are alternative cars that use compressed natural gas (CNG) for fuel.
CNG-enabled vehicles are great because they help reduce carbon monoxide emission levels. They are by far superior to conventional petrol/diesel alternatives.
6. Rent hybrids
If you are planning to go on an eco-friendly road trip, try to rent a hybrid car. This will greatly reduce your fuel consumption and the amount of pollution produced by your driving.
Hybrid cars are super fuel-efficient as they tend to only use the engine for accelerating, climbing hills, or when extra power is required.
7. Recycle your plastic
If you use any plastic items such as bottles or bags in your travels, recycle them instead of disposing of them after use. This will help reduce land pollution and reduce the amount of plastic litter in the area you are in.
Something as simple as switching to a spill-proof tumbler for your coffee and a glass or aluminium water bottle for your water can have a huge impact on the amount of plastic you end up sending to the landfill.
Reducing single-use plastics is one of the most impactful habits you can develop.
8. Use jute bags instead of plastic bags
Jute bags are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags, which are notoriously harmful to the environment.
The simple act of switching to jute instead of plastic reduces the amount of plastic waste generated by littering while traveling globally.
9. Switch to digital tickets
Printing tickets is not an eco-friendly practice at all. In the current digital age, you can comfortably switch to digital tickets for your events, movies, airports, trains, and more.
If you are not required to print a ticket, it’s best to stick to the digital alternative.
10. Use less wood when camping
You do not have to light a roaring campfire every time you go camping.
By simply reducing the amount of wood you use or switching to an alternative clean source of fuel, you can greatly assist in lowering the emission levels of harmful pollutants.
11. Buy organic produce
Organic produce is the best choice for eco-conscious consumers because they help conserve water and reduce pollution. A lot less energy is used in organic farming.
Less fuel is needed to ultimately take it from farm to table. Plus, eating organic will also help you stay healthy and fit as you travel.
Consider buying directly from farmers on your travels or buy organic produce and bring them with you on your trips.
12. Eat local
Speaking of organic produce, consider eating local food when you travel. When you buy local products, it means that no one has had to drive long distances to get them to your plate.
Plus, it is also a way of showing your appreciation to the locals and supporting local small businesses. And you can’t truly appreciate a new place until you’ve tried the local cuisine!
13. Leave no trace
As you leave a place, there should be no trace that you were ever there. In fact, the only thing that you should leave behind is your footprints.
You can even take this a step further and leave the place better than you found it: pick a few pieces of trash and dispose of them correctly before you go.
That’s a few pieces of trash that won’t end up in bodies of water or on the ground.
Final thoughts on eco-friendly travel
As you can see, eco-friendly travel is all about developing various small habits that, in combination, can really start to make a difference.
There are countless “green” activities you can do as you travel. Only by adopting their practice can you become a responsible, eco-friendly traveller.
At the end of the day, you do not have to be an extremist about it. As long as you do your best to be more environmentally conscious, you are doing your part and the earth will love you for it.
Remember, you want to touch the earth lightly and leave no trace no matter where you go.
Do this and your travels will be “better” in every way. Not only more enjoyable for yourself, but better for your destination, better for the locals, and better for the environment.
Written by Jade Piper
