Is that an oxymoron? Can you actually travel AND be eco friendly? I am not entirely convinced that there is a solid ‘yes’ to that statement, however I do believe there are things you can do to reduce the size of your footprint when you travel.
To begin with, travelling by plane has been proven to be a far bigger concern to climate change than originally thought and, whilst there are carbon offsetting organisations that will take your equivalent carbon emissions as a monetary contribution and put it toward something such as reforestation, there is still no hard and fast evidence that this is in fact benefiting the environment, or that the pace of offsetting is keeping up with the increase on demand for planes. Do your research carefully before choosing to whom you want to go with. Several organisations have been found to mislead or greenwash with examples such as big oil conglomerates buying into the carbon offsetting project or trees being planted that are not suitably diverse for the environment, so it is important to do your reading first.
However, we are going to fly. It might sound harsh, but people want and need to travel for different reasons and sea and train are timely and not for everyone. So, how can we minimise our impact whilst at the same time enjoying travel and seeing the world.
- Do your research.
- When booking, use travel companies that have done their research, are BCorp listed or those who use locals to work at the other end.
- Fly better.
- I am probably not speaking to the majority, but if there is no reason to fly business or on a small jet, fly economy, more seats means the plane takes more people, meaning less planes. Think about how much ‘stuff’ you need to take and reduce your weight. Choose busier times to fly if you can as flights will be full rather than half empty (much as there is a lure to travel at a quieter time!). If you can afford to do a non-stop flight, the plane uses most fuel at take off and landing, so it’s a small thing.
- Use alternative travel.
- If you can, go by train or road? If your flight is under two hours is it feasible to take the train or drive. Trains may be fairly hopeless in the UK, but are incredible in Europe, buses in South East Asia and Latin America are fabulous.
- Try and seek out environmentally friendly accommodation:
- Local hotels not huge chains, homestays, hostels are all really great ways to not only keep your money in the local economy but they also introduce you to other people who have incredible stories to tell and are often the traveller’s best friend as they can suggest or introduce you to activities or things to see that you didn’t know about from the guide book.
- Think about your packing.
- Keep it light if you can, take reusables and decant your home toiletries into smaller containers you can bring back empty. I am trying really hard to lay out my clothes/kit, then halve it as I know I won’t use half that I take if I’m less strict. Can you hire the other end for kit? Do you have a sarong that will double as a top or skirt?
- Carry a refillable waterbottle with a good quality filter.
- I have this one from Katadyn which also rolls up very compact when I need to take it through the airport, but I have heard great things about this one by Grayl. Obviously water isn’t something that you want to be messing about with in countries with poor water systems and known water borne disease, but if you know that the water is ok but you tend to buy in bottles, either use your filter bottle and the tap or buy a huge bottle and decant – it’s better than tons of little ones.
- Buy from markets:
- Lots of countries, especially in South East Asia, love to wrap in plastic in supermarkets, melons, pineapples, I’ve even seen single oranges like this! However, shopping in local markets will do away with this waste and, if you bring your own little tupperware and bamboo cutlery from home, you can easily pick up a lunch or prepare before you head out for the day.
- Keep your money local:
- Try, if you can, to spend in places where other locals spend their money, especially with restaurants (eat where the locals eat and you will probably have incredible food!). Often big tours take you to specific places where they may have struck a deal and the money, whilst going locally, is being given by anything up to ten tour groups per day, so think of the ‘little guy’. Which leads me onto carrying some cash. Keeping your money in the local economy is likely to mean needing cash rather than paying by card. Someone once said to me that £5 given in cash, is £5 in cash, £5 in plastic becomes £1 taken off by the bank, £1 taken off by the credit card machine handling company and the vendor will eventually not get the £5 you paid.
- Be aware:
- Of cultures, politics, news in the places you wish to travel. Barcelona and some islands in Spain have been unhappy with the high numbers of tourists travelling to the area arguing that properties are being turned into Airbnb so there are few homes for locals to purchase pushing them out of the area or off the property ladder. Are the cultural practices you are wanting to see comfortable with you being there? Are there political questions about the country and its people or environmental choices and practices, would you want your money going into that economy at the point of your travel? It may be just travelling out of season or finding a local organisation that works with indigenous communities or wildlife organisations ethically, but be aware of where you are going.
- Leave no footprint:
- Well, okay, that’s hard considering my opening statement, however, you can be a responsible visitor by observing some of the above. Obviously take your litter away with your, but how about doing a bit of a beach clean or street little pick if you notice it’s required? Take photos but not things from nature. Walk, cycle or use public transport to get around rather than hiring a car if you can. Or have you considered a staycation or a house swap or exploring the incredible plethora of beautiful places on offer in the UK?
Ultimately you will never succeed in entirely environmentally friendly travel unless you are walking steps from your door, staying in a tent, eating from the wild and not interacting via your phone for GPS or communications. People travel, out of desire and necessity and frankly, it’s a wonderful way to educate yourself and others. BUT it is the small steps and if we all contribute how and where we can, in any small ways, ensuring that we preserve this beautiful, incredible earth for generations to come, then hopefully it will remain.
