Travellers need to follow just a few simple rules to ensure that their footprint remains light and their guilt levels low while on holiday. Before you start your journey, plan accordingly. Support airlines that reduce their carbon emissions, and stay for longer if you can – a two-week journey is better than three short breaks, since taking off and landing wastes the most fuel.
Using public transportation rather than renting a car is a no-brainer. Taking the bus or the subway not only saves energy, but will save you a few dollars and let you experience the destination as the locals do. If you want to go further, power your own adventures. Either walk – not a big ask in many beautiful, cobblestone cities – or rent a bike. Several cities in Europe such as Dublin, Paris, Vienna, Seville and Brussels have cheap bike rental programs.
Your PDA or smart phone is one of your best eco-accessories. Not only can you salvage paper by downloading your boarding pass, but you’ll save both materials and money by looking at online maps rather than buying paper. Get iRecycle, a free green iPhone application tells you where to go to recycle what you have, and gives you exact directions based on your location.
When it comes to lodging, reuse towels and sheets in your hotel room rather than having them changed each day. Use water sparingly and switch off the lights and the air-conditioning when you’re out. Better yet, choose a smaller, family-run hotel or lodge in a home stay. That way, your money will stay local. If you want the big hotel experience, check out its sustainability credentials on a site such as greentravelfinder.com, or environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com.
Likewise, eat at small, local restaurants rather than at big-name chains to save on shipping materials, fuel, and packaging. Visit a different restaurant each day to spread your money around, and be careful not to order endangered or overfished produce.
Also, know what souvenirs to avoid. Trade in ivory is illegal, but you may still find some ivory jewellery and carvings at markets around Africa and Asia. Some Chinese medicines, which contain parts of endangered animals, should be given a wide berth, as should sea-turtle shell jewellery, coral and necklaces made from big cats’ teeth.
If you are using a tour company, try to ensure that it has a focus on eco-friendly practices. For example, if you are going whale-watching, use a reputable company that will be sensitive to the mammals and not cause them distress by sailing too close.
