Sustainable Travel Hacks- Seeing the World Responsibly!
Being a biologist and a hardcore wanderlust/adrenaline junkie, travel is my all time favorite thing and the number one way I care for my emotional and mental health. There is nothing that rocks my socks as hard as pressing the BOOK button on a hotel reservation or flight itinerary. I'm always thinking about my next trip (and probably the next three after that...) and keeping my eyes peeled for deals that might come up on flights or hotels. I've had the pleasure of visiting two countries outside the US so far and I am adding three more to that list in April!
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| Me visiting a place I always dreamed of, but never thought I would actually make it to- the Galapagos Islands! |
One of the main reasons I travel as much as I do is that I have so much love for our planet and the natural world. Many of my trips are very "outdoorsy," and I try to fit in as much time outside as possible. With that love of Earth comes my concern for preserving its natural beauty. As a result, I do my best to travel responsibly and sustainably as much as I can. Today, I wanted to share some of my sustainable travel hacks and the things I do every time I travel to reduce my footprint and show my appreciation for Mother Earth!
Sustainable Travel Tip #1: Carbon Offsetting
Most of us avid travelers start the trip planning process by booking a flight. Flights are typically the first step because it nails down your travel dates and gives you a time frame to start thinking about where you're staying and how long. After booking your flight, you can start booking accommodations, activities, and planning where to eat (which is one of my favorite parts of traveling😋).
When we think about the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions globally, transportation is one of the big contributors that immediately comes to mind, with 27% of total US emissions coming from this sector in 2020 (source: EPA website). Air travel contributes to about 2-3% of total global greenhouse gas emissions in the US. While that number seems low, there are other adverse effects on the environment from air travel, including warming from contrails (the clouds left behind in the sky), disruptions to avian (bird) flight patterns, and pollution.
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| Source: Environmental Protection Agency |
So, even though I love the convenience of flying, I don't feel great about doing it. Although emissions from passenger vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, etc.) represent a much higher threat to climate change, air travel is still something to consider when trying to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling. The "semi-solution" I love to use for this is carbon offsetting.
Carbon offsetting is basically paying a small fee to compensate for the emissions generated during your travel. You are paying a company to remove the approximate quantity of carbon emissions from the atmosphere that you are generating by traveling, resulting in a net zero increase in emissions. Most programs perform the offset through forestry or energy projects. This does not directly remove the emissions that your specific plane releases, but it does contribute by removing that amount from other sources that would not have been funded without your aid. All you have to do is put in how many air miles you'll be traveling and how many passengers and you will receive a certificate of your contribution to green projects. The price of the offset is actually pretty cheap! I paid to offset our emissions when my husband and I visited the Galapagos; the price was $24 per person and those funds were able to offset approximately 3,000 pounds of carbon per person!
While the best solution would be to not fly at all, I don't think that is feasible in today's world, nor do I want to cut myself off from enjoying the beauty of our planet. However, this is a great travel hack to help you reduce the impact you have while traveling. Below are some links to great websites that perform carbon offsetting services and some other really cool programs.
Sustainable Travel Tip #2: Pack Smart
Most of us have a tendency to overpack it seems. If you're going to bring a giant suitcase that you have to sit on to close, you might as well fill it with items that will help reduce your waste and consumption at your destination! I always pack of a few of my favorite low waste items in my suitcase to have while I'm traveling. It might not always be possible to 100% eliminate waste while on vacation or abroad, but every piece of trash you save from going to a landfill is a win in my book. It's not about being perfectly waste free, it's about making a conscious effort to reduce. Here are some of my favorite eco-friendly items to bring while traveling:
- Reusable water bottle- Skip the plastic bottle at the airport and fill up at one of the water fountains. I like my Nalgene bottle from REI.
- Fabric tote bag or shopping bag- Say "no thanks" when the cashier offers you a plastic bag for your souvenirs. I love having a sturdy cloth bag on me at all times in case I want to stop by the grocery store for a few staples or pick up some souvenirs from a local market. I have tons of these from all over the place, but this one from Love of Earth Co. has tons of pockets and compartments inside.
- Plastic free personal care items- Solid shampoo, conditioner, and body soap are SO much easier to pack and are waste free! I find my toiletries bag to be so much more organized when my personal care items are in metal tins rather than 50 individual plastic bottles. You can even slice off a little piece if you don't want to bring the whole bar. Saving space AND saving the Earth, amazing. I love the shampoo and conditioner bars from Basin, but you can find all kinds of plastic free personal care items for whatever you need from a variety of sources. Lush is another great brand.
- Reusable utensils and cloth napkins- I keep these on hand pretty much everywhere I go, but you can minimize the waste when ordering takeout on your trip by bringing a good utensil set. I love this set from Love of Earth Co.
Sustainable Travel Tip #3: Off the Beaten Path
Some of the most appealing tourist destinations are appealing simply because everyone tells you to go there. As humans, and especially in the US, we have a huge sense of FOMO (fear of missing out). You see Instagram influencers posing at the Trevi Fountain in Rome and feel like you might just die if you don't go there and try to recreate that photo. However, some of the most unique and memorable travel experiences are usually off the beaten path. Not only are tourist areas overpriced and at higher risk of scams, you are also contributing to a culture of overconsumption and fast fun.
Instead, consider visiting a nearby town where you can immerse yourself in the culture and experience life like a local. Buy souvenirs from a local at a roadside stand instead of the tourist trap with all the t-shirts. You'll be supporting local artisans and the local economy, and also avoiding the (often cheaply made and overpriced) tourist traps that are contributing to our cultural tendencies to overconsume and throw away.
Sustainable Travel Tip #4: Reduce Your Use and Emissions
As you would at home, do your best to reduce your energy and water consumption wherever you go. Be mindful of the types of transportation you use and the waste they produce. Maybe you're visiting a beach town; instead of taking an Uber, consider renting a bike. You'll get your exercise in, reduce your emissions, and see a whole new side of town. One of our favorite things we did on our trip to the Galapagos was rent a couple bikes from a local man and bike to a popular spot. The man didn't speak any English and we were struggling with our Spanish, but we spent half a day biking all over the island and appreciating the sites and wildlife we would have missed if we rushed by in a taxi.
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| We never would have seen this part of Isabela island if we didn't rent bikes in the Galapagos! |
Think about where you're going or what you're doing next and consider ways to reduce your impact. You won't be able to totally eliminate waste and energy use, but just be aware of your consumption and think of ways you can cut down. Maybe take a quick body wash shower instead of a whole hair care routine if you know you'll be hiking the next day. Something as simple as remembering to unplug your chargers and turn off the lights in the Airbnb while you're gone can really reduce your consumption and make you a more eco-conscious traveler.
Sustainable Travel Tip #5: Leave No Trace and Be a Responsible Tourist
The whole goal of this post is to work on leaving the world a better place than we found it, and that includes places we don't call home. It is incredibly important to follow all principles of Leave No Trace; take only photographs and leave only footprints. It is our responsibility to be conscientious tourists and maintain the beautiful places we all want to visit. This includes respecting local wildlife (and NOT touching or getting within 6 feet), packing out all waste/trash, being respectful of local traditions and customs, being aware of and respectful of fellow travelers and tourists, and not taking anything natural from that location. Also be aware of some of the tourist destinations you're visiting; be sure to research them ahead of time to make sure they are ethical institutions. You would be surprised how many tourist traps seriously take advantage of local wildlife and citizens by overexploiting them. If you want to see local wildlife, consider visiting a local rehabilitation center. If you want to take a food tour of the city, research the company to make sure the local restaurant owners are compensated. Taking that extra step to ensure ethical practices is huge in being a responsible tourist.
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