It is one thing to want to be more green but putting it into action is quite another. Going green goes beyond making your home eco friendly.
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It should be a lifestyle. One that shouldn’t change even if you’re on a vacation in a new city. Here are some tips on how to be an environmentally friendly tourist:
Pack Light
When flying, every kilogram or pound counts. The more an aircraft weights, the more carbon gas emissions it will produce. To avoid contributing to this pollution, you need to carry only the things you need and encourage your family and friends to do the same.
Do Not Bag It
When shopping, avoid plastic shopping bags. You want memories of your vacation to last, but plastic carrier bags take more than 500 years to biodegrade. For this reason, you should always have a re-usable shopping bag ready for your shopping trips.
Share the Load
When traveling, consider taking the public transport to reduce your carbon emissions. To add to your travel experience, you need to think about sightseeing on a bike; all you have to do is schedule a rental and create a tour route. Doing so will give you a better travel experience while allowing you more opportunities to interact with the locals.
Enjoy Beer/Produce
Enjoy some locally brewed beer if you want to cut down on your beer mileage. Most local beers are usually high quality and tasty ales. The same principle applies to local produce – you need to be adventurous with your taste buds.
Travel Overland
Using an airplane to travel can reduce your carbon footprint significantly. Moreover, you will get to see the world from a new point of view. Traveling by car can be quite bad for the environment and it can only fit a few people. Even when you are traveling to the next state, always opt for boarding a plane if you are concerned about your carbon footprint.
Choose an Adventure for Offsetting Carbon
Although you cannot avoid all carbon emissions when traveling, you should try. Find some ways to offset the remains of carbon that you end up emitting. For instance, you can partake in activities that are natural and do not contribute toward the environment’s destruction.
Feel at Home in Hotels
When in hotels, you need to act the same way you would act while at home. If not necessary, avoid getting new towels or taking long showers, as this contributes to the wastage of water. Do not forget to turn off the lights or TV when you retire to bed at the end of the day.
Avoid Bottled Water
Most of the waste materials that are not biodegradable are plastic bottles. If the country you are visiting has water filters at every corner, opt to refill your bottle instead of buying another one you will have to discard. If you are worried about the safety of this water, do not be because locals drink it all the time.
Power in Numbers
When you travel in small groups, you will not make a big impact on the environment. For this reason, choose to travel in a small group with an environmentally responsible tour operator. Before booking your place in such a group, enquire about the size of the group first. Also, find out how the tour operator gives back to the community.
Stick to Your Path
If you are going hiking, stick to the marked trails and maintain a safe distance from the animals you encounter. Going off the trails could mean you will end up stepping on endangered and protected plants.