If you travel a lot, there’s a good chance you’ve really racked up your carbon footprint in recent years. Now you’re probably becoming more aware of the domino effect of travel.
You know that all that flying you’ve been doing is bad for the environment, and you’re seeing all around just how bad it can be. You’re seeing what all those plastic bottles you’ve thrown away can do to our oceans. Ultimately, you’re ready to make a change for the better!
The environment is very much a modern concern for most of us. And if you’re someone who likes to travel, being able to keep your CO2 emissions down while you do so is key. So, before you book your next trip, try to make it a little bit more environmentally friendly. Here are some things to consider about traveling with the world’s ecosystem in mind.
Try to stay away from planes
Planes are notoriously bad for the environment. They put tons of CO2 into the sky. That works its way into the surrounding atmosphere contributes to pollution. But don’t worry. Cutting planes out of your travel considerations is easy to do. If you’re someone who flies a lot, even just cutting out one of your trips via a plane per year could seriously cut down the size of your carbon footprint.
Of course, if you have to fly, you can always invest in carbon offsets to ensure your travel needs are never doing too much harm to the environment around you. Purchase an offset that’s equivalent in tons to the amount of CO2 your most recent flight. This way your money goes towards an environmentally friendly and supportive project around the world. It doesn’t cost too much to do so either!
The airline itself may also be required to offset their emissions. However, it’s always a good thing to go the extra mile for the environment.
Watch your car mileage
Cars can be gas guzzling monsters. So, keeping this in mind when you travel is essential. You don’t want to be stuck inside a car or van most of the time, even when you’re road tripping, because you’ll be leaving a lot of CO2 damage in your wake!
In fact, in some cities you need to have your car assessed before you’re even allowed to take it through to the city center. One such city is Berlin. You need a green sticker applied to your vehicle to prove it’s a low emission car that has less of an impact on the environment. Visit the website www.duitsemilieusticker.nl to see what it takes to apply and get cleared for a seal of approval.
So, try to get out of the car more often than you’re in one. Try to walk a little more often if you can. Use your vehicle as more of a pitstop than your means for the journey itself. Or try to double up. Carpooling when you can and using public transportation are far more environmentally friendly ways to use a car.
Pack without plastic
Plastic is one of the worst things the environment around us has to deal with. The amount of waste year by year adds up. It isn’t a good thing for the earth, nor for any of the species that live on it. And if you’re someone who thinks purchasing an easy and cheap bottle of water at the train station or the airport won’t do anyone any harm, think again.
You might just be contributing to the problem if you don’t plan ahead by bringing along a reusable bottle. Also, you may forget and throw away the plastic bottle you’re using. Refill it when you get the chance to. But more importantly, the amount of plastic packaging that can be found in your suitcase and your travel first aid kit, is also a pretty bad deal for the environment.
And if you’re taking a packed lunch along with you, or you want a simple assortment of snacks to nibble on as you travel, be sure to pack with as little plastic as possible. Use silicone reusable bags for your sandwiches or trail mix assortment, as well as a reusable food container that just needs a quick clean in between use.
So when you’re packing for your next trip away, think about cutting out the plastic option, when and wherever you’re able to.
Try hiking more often
And ,of course, always try to walk as much as possible, whenever you’re needing to travel too and from a certain destination. If you’re able to, and you’ve got the energy for it that day, being able to stretch your legs and take the distance on foot will be an experience like no other. You’ll be able to take things at your own pace, and you’ll be able to snap shots and take breaks as and when you want or need them.
And don’t forget just how social hiking can be. You can meet up with other travelers on a walk, or you can mingle with the locals here and there! Humans have been walking for thousands of years on end, and in short, it’s the most environmentally friendly way to get to and fro.
Traveling in an environmentally friendly way might take some adjusting to, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult process in the long run. A bit of consideration here, an easy change of plans there, and you’ll be right on your way! You’ll travel comfortably, assured in the knowledge that you’re putting the environment first.
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