- Sustainable Queen
HOW TO TRAVEL IN A MORE ECO-RESPONSIBLE WAY?
When we start planning our next trip, there are so many key aspects that come into play: the budget, what to eat, the list of the best places to visit, the type of destination we are looking for.
What if we added some sustainable practices to this crucial list?
Mass tourism has a disastrous impact on our environment: it pollutes and causes damages of all kinds. It is responsible for almost a tenth of the greenhouse gas emissions produced in the world. With a more ecological mindset this year following this unexpected pandemic, we propose you some solutions to travel in a more eco-responsible way.
1. Explore less touristy destinations!
In addition, to avoid crowded places to stop the chain of contamination of Covid and its many variants, you could also opt for less touristy destinations.
Why you might ask?
First of all, why propose the same travel destinations as everyone else?
Not only you could be promoting new places that not everyone knows about, but at the same time, promoting eco-friendly traveling habits. The reason is simple, this way you do not fund those places affected and threatened by mass tourism or pollution. As such, you intentionally do not contribute to natural sites that have been weakened, cities that are suffocating, and wild animals in danger and abused for tourist attractions, among others.
2. Choose your travel transportation method
When choosing your next vacation destination, what should you look at first to make sure you’re not polluting too much through the transport means you wish to opt for.
Choose destinations that involve the most environmentally friendly means of transportation. First, you can choose staycation and sightsee your own country. You can also travel to a neighboring country to limit a long, CO2-emitting flight. Secondly, despite the excitement of a road trip with family, friends, or lovers, taking the car or a coach for a long trip is not the most ecological solution. Give priority, as much as possible, to non-stop flights and whenever you can, stay longer in one same location to explore at a time. It’s as agreeable and less exhausting for you, as for the planet.
What about cruises? It is said that cruise ships should be avoided as much as possible, even if, some go green and are therefore worth a look. According to a 2015 study by the federation “France Nature Environnement” (FNE), a cruise ship at rest pollutes as much as a million cars.
3. Spot eco-friendly place to stay
Who says ecological generally says nature lover, right?
So, to combine nature and adventure, look for an eco-friendly place to stay. Today, several ecological brands promote and guarantee the eco-responsibility of tourist accommodations such as hotels, cottages, and more generally certain vacation sites. These facilities generally adopt sustainable practices such as renewable energy, properly manage their water resources, properly sort waste, indulge in recycling, and adopt zero waste or, are themselves designed or use deco made of sustainable materials. There are many examples such as huts, eco-responsible camping, bubble lodges not to mention the local guest house, which is more friendly, warm with less consumption on a large scale. Besides, you also contribute to the small local business and are likely to have a more typical local experience at the guest house.
4. Less is more!
That’s one of our mottos that keeps coming up. Backpacking is the ultimate solution to this, but we acknowledge that it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Yet, you could still travel with less and come back home, with less as well!
We know that some people travel to stock up on shopping! Yet, why not opt for a minimalist trip in terms of shopping and what you pack in your suitcase? Instead of bringing along plenty of material things, why not focus on the experiences and memories that fill your heart and soul?
Of course, it wouldn’t be as much fun without any shopping, some would say. Plus, going on an eco-responsible vacation also means supporting the local economy. For example, if you want to wear the country’s traditional outfits for cultural immersion, look for rental stores. This way you’ll be contributing to the circular economy and ensuring that they don’t end up in landfills once you get home. As for souvenirs, maximize useful, local, and waste-free products, not “made in China” local style products.
5. Provide ecological habits and products beforehand
Just because you are traveling to a new destination doesn’t mean everything has to be new. Bring the old traditional outfits that you bought for your next trip but can’t wear in everyday life. This is an opportunity to put them to good use. Bring your water bottles that can be refilled instead of buying a thousand plastic water bottles. Bring your rechargeable batteries, half-used shampoo, body wash, and other possible cosmetics. A reusable tote bag to take everywhere for your shopping sprees is a must!
Opting for an ecological trip does not mean lacking comfort, staying at home or not traveling at all. As you have learned with @sustainableliving_ig, you can plan your best vacation and plan your trip for the best interest of our planet in a more eco-responsible way.
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