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| Green Travel. Source: aesta1 |
Going green doesn't have to be complicated and time-consuming. Nor does it infringe on your comfort. In fact, it helps you stay fit. As you walk or cycle to places, your body will thank you for it.
Walking also gives you better experiences as you talk to the locals in the terminal, on the train and the bus. You definitely will have better stories to tell and your memories will be far richer.
Tired of all the green things you are hearing? I am. So, no lectures about travel carbon emissions, aircraft or environment. Let's just get right to how you can be a little more comfortable with your carbon footprint even if you have to travel. Just simple choices you can make when you travel.
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| Sri Lanka Travel. Source: aesta1 |
1. Go Green, Trains instead of Planes or Ride the Elephant
When you have a choice, go for trains. Not only will you see more of the countryside but you will also meet the locals and live some pieces of their lives. In many cases such as Europe, North America, some of Africa and some of Asia, you can book sleepers on trains and travel overnight. Not only will you save hefty hotel bills if you schedule your trip right but you often end up much closer to downtown. Often, next to a subway so you reduce your overall travel time as well.
At the speed they are travelling, planes add tons of carbon emissions. But often, there is no choice, especially for long-distance travel. So, buy carbon offsets. Some airlines offer these and even calculate the percentage you as a passenger in a particular flight need to offset. Carbon offsets are simply donations to support eco-friendly programs.
Yes, public transport is better. For tourists, there are always tour buses operating around the city. These are very convenient as you can just hop on and hop off when you see places you like to visit. In places where you don't have the local language facility, this is better than getting upset at a taxi driver who doesn't understand your directions.
Better still. Walk or cycle or ride an elephant.
2. Travel Green, Go Cycling - Like to cycle?
Get a Guide before you attempt cycling in places you are not familiar with. The best is to make sure your skills are up to it and you can get hold.
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| Cycling. Source: aesta1 |
3. Walk to Places when you reach your destination
When you reach your destination, park your car in your hotel and walk to places you want to see or take public transport. We did just that when we went to several cities in Europe. In Venice, you find people lugging big suitcases in the boat and it is possible. Hey, losing some of those extra pounds is worth it.
4. Lower your carbon footprint
Planes burn more fuel in take-off and landing so the fewer connections you have, the lower your carbon footprint will be. Of course, airlines love bringing you to hubs and many of the direct flights are more expensive. Sometimes, we just have to swallow the price for something we value more.
On shorter routes, check to see if there are turboprop aircraft (with propellers) that service your route. You might see the word "Dash" in front of their numbers. These are nearly as fast (on short routes), quiet and often go into downtown airports. This saves you time and maybe you can just walk to your destination.
Go to your gate on time. Linger not in duty-free shops or bars. It is not uncommon for airlines before take off to be calling for one or two passengers who have checked in but have not yet shown up at the plane's entrance. Maybe, that bargain is just too good to miss. Know, though, that the less time the plane spends idling on the ground, the less carbon dioxide emissions they put out.
Relieve yourself before and not on the flight. Make it a habit to do so before boarding a flight. While it is true that aeroplane toilets use around 10cc of water per flush and the water is treated and recycled, each flush in-flight uses enough energy for a fuel-efficient car to run for 10 kilometres. Just think about that.
5. Pack Light - Try only hand carry
A lighter aircraft burns less fuel. Still, we see travellers lugging big suitcases as if they're leaving home and not just visiting a friend in the next city. Most of them admit they use about half the things they take and most of the "just-in-case" never happen. Save yourself the curse of inserting in the crowd around the baggage carousel to peek at the baggage arriving. They seem to look all alike now. Try to just have a hand-carry. The chance of losing your luggage is nil.
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| Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Source: aesta1 |
6. Choose hotels with well established green programs
Before you book a hotel, ask about their eco-friendly programs, not just the luxuries they offer. Ask about their recycling programs, the steps they take to become more energy-efficient and other things they do to reduce consumption. If you don't want to be a pain in the neck, read about the hotel's program on the internet. Often, as part of their advertisement to attract green customers, they place these on their website.
By just asking, you raise the consciousness of the hotel to be more serious about being green. If you just go to the internet and book a room and can't be bothered finding out, at least, complement the hotel when you see their effort towards becoming more eco-friendly. Mind you, if you are not a smoker and they place you in a room right beside a smoker, you will have a problem. Or, if they say in their site, they cannot guarantee a non-smoking room, forget it. You can hardly breathe the air in many of the rooms not specified as non-smoking. I tell you, it is not pleasant especially when you are paying $200 for the night.
There are other things you can do. Keep your showers short, and shut off the water when you brush your teeth. When you go out, turn off the air conditioning, heating, television, lights or any other electric devices in your room. Ask to reuse your sheets and towels instead of having these changed every day. When you use the hotel's toiletries, take the ones you have not finished using and use them at home or during the rest of your trip. Encourage their effort by expressing your appreciation for any eco-friendly programs they currently offer.
Maybe, it is even better to ask ourselves if such travel is necessary. Sometimes, mobile technologies can take care of the things that make us travel. Review your travel schedule and see which of those can just be taken cared of by phones, video conferencing, video calls or delegated.
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| Tour Operator in Cambodia. Source: aesta1 |
7. Research your destination for green tour operators
And for eco-tourism programs
Most countries now have in place eco-tourism programs and tour operators have included these in their offerings. It is better though to do your own research and identify the trips you want to do. Find out how you can go there as many tour operators will always push the ones that will bring them more money.
There are, of course, operators who are just as committed to green programs. In some cases, the effort is minimal. Don't get upset. Help out. When they know what tourists expect, they will comply with the tourist dollars.
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| Eco-Tours. Source: aesta1 |
8. Go for eco-tours
Every destination has this
There are eco-tours in most countries now and they promote eco-destinations. Try to go to some of these places just to support their effort. In fact, many are the places to go such as protected marine sanctuaries, forest reserves, community-based tourism and other programs available in your destination.
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| Keeping Parks Clean. Source: aesta1 |
9. Volunteer in green programs
Avoid activities that destroy the environment
There are many wildlife sanctuaries that are in need of volunteers. Tigers, lions, crocodiles, pythons, exotic birds live in these sanctuaries so it is good to prepare yourself a little bit before you go. Otherwise, you might just become a problem. Not something you would want on your travel. Other projects such as reforestation, cleaning the beaches and streets as well as composting in some villages are interesting to get involved in. You will certainly have a better experience of life in those countries far different from your hotel and its environs.
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| Painting at Artisans D'Angkor in Siem Reap. Source: aesta1 |
10. Buy only green products as souvenirs
Leave nature and heritage alone
We always buy a souvenir or two when we travel. Go for those products that you know for sure are not made from destroying the environment. Even if they are effective cures for what ails you, leave the beasts alone.
Visit a place where they make products that are sustainable like local weavers. You help not only the environment but the families who are fed by these workers or craftspeople.
They now have signs in their stores when they support fair trade. These stores are your best bet for green souvenirs.
Give value to your travelling around the world
When you travel often, it is difficult to make greening a major consideration as there are other values such as being with family, attending family celebrations, being with friends, work, or delivering services that may get more consideration. However, we can at least try do little things that may make a difference no matter how small.
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