Sustainable tourism is a growing movement. It focuses on traveling in a way that minimizes negative impacts on the environment and local communities. There are many ways to travel sustainably, from choosing eco-friendly accommodations to offsetting your carbon footprint. By making a few simple changes, you can make a difference without sacrificing any of the comforts of traveling. Here are some tips for reducing your carbon footprint when on the road or in the air.
Understanding Your Carbon Footprint
A carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gases (GHGs) an individual, organization, or country emits. GHGs are released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. They include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). You can calculate your carbon footprint for different activities, such as air travel, driving, or electricity use.
The most common way to measure your carbon footprint is by looking at your annual emissions from all sources, called a ‘total’ or ‘absolute’ carbon footprint. It includes emissions from transportation, food, energy use at home, waste, and other activities.
You can also look at your ‘per capita’ carbon footprint. This measures your emissions divided by the number of people in your household. It’s a way to compare your emissions to others, even if you live in different-sized households.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint When Traveling
Traveling can be a great way to explore new places and cultures, but it also has a sizeable carbon footprint. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your environmental impact when traveling.
Avoid Air Travel When Possible
Flying has become an increasingly popular way to travel in recent years. Many see it as the fastest and most convenient option, especially for long-distance trips. Unfortunately, research has shown that air travel is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, commercial aviation accounts for about 2% of all human-caused GHG emissions, which contribute to climate change. In addition, airplane noise pollution can disrupt local wildlife and human communities. As a result, it is essential to consider the environmental impacts of flying before making travel plans. When possible, opt for alternatives to flying, such as trains or buses, which emit far less pollution than flying.
Utilize Public Transportation
When traveling, there are many options for transportation. Buses and trains are typically less expensive than taxis or cars, and they can help you avoid the hassle of renting a car or navigating an unfamiliar city. Once you reach your destination, public transportation can be a great way to save money, see a new city, meet new people, and learn about the culture of your destination. When taking public transport, be sure to research ahead of time to find the best routes and schedules. And remember to put on your patience cap – public transport can be a great adventure but can also be crowded and chaotic. But if you go with the flow, you will surely have a unique and memorable experience.
If You Fly, Utilize Sustainable Travel Practices
If you must travel by plane, you can do a few things to minimize your impact on the environment. Some airlines are now offsetting their carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy projects and working on ways to improve fuel efficiency. When making your travel plans, take a few minutes to research the policies of different airlines to see which ones are making the most progress in reducing their impact on the environment. You may be surprised by how easy it is to find an airline that shares your commitment to sustainability and protecting the planet.
Fly Economy
If at all possible, choose to fly economy class. The cramped quarters may not be ideal, but according to the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator, it can decrease the carbon emissions per person. The ICAO has developed a methodology to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions from flight and created the ICEC tool for passengers to estimate their carbon emissions from air travel. The ICEC tool is also the only tool that has been internationally approved to estimate carbon emissions from air travel.
Pack Light
Another way to reduce your impact when flying is to pack light. The heavier the plane, the more fuel it burns. So only pack what you need and try to avoid checking a bag if possible. Not only will this help to reduce your carbon footprint, but it will also save you time at the airport.
Choose Nonstop Flights
When purchasing your plane ticket, make sure to research whether a nonstop flight is available. Many people assume that a nonstop option is always more expensive. However, in reality, the price difference is often negligible. Furthermore, flying nonstop is not only more environmentally friendly but it’s also more convenient. By choosing a nonstop flight, you can avoid the hassle of making a connection and reduce your overall travel time. In addition, you’ll have fewer opportunities to lose your luggage. You can also try to fly during off-peak hours when there are likely fewer other planes in the sky and air traffic is lighter.
Environmentally Friendly Hotels and Rental Homes
When searching for a place to stay on your next vacation, consider the environmental impact of your lodging choices. Choosing an eco-friendly lodging option is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while on vacation. There are many ways to find environmentally friendly hotels and rental homes, many of which are certified by green organizations such as LEED or Green Globe. For instance, you can also look for properties that have implemented sustainable practices such as energy-efficient lighting and water conservation measures. Some hotels have installed solar panels or wind turbines to offset their energy use, while others have committed to using recycled materials or low-emitting paints and carpets. You can also look for accommodations within walking distance of attractions and restaurants, which will help you save on transportation costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, you can feel good knowing you’re supporting businesses working to protect the environment.
There are also some habits you can develop when staying in hotels and other accommodations to decrease your carbon footprint even further:
Limit Water and Towel Use
One easy way to be mindful of your impact on the environment while you’re a guest is to limit your use of water and towels. When taking a shower, keep the water turned off until you’re ready to get wet, and try to limit your showers to five minutes or less. This will save both water and energy. Instead of using multiple towels throughout your stay, try to use just one. If you hang it up to dry after each use, it should last you the entire trip. And unless you somehow make a huge mess, consider declining housekeeping services to reduce the use of harmful chemicals and further save water. By following these simple tips, you can help protect the environment without sacrificing comfort.
Bring Reusable Items
Another simple way to be more eco-friendly when staying at a hotel is to pack your own reusable items. This can include bringing a reusable water bottle, coffee mug, and straw. Many hotel rooms will have a mini fridge you can use to store your water bottle or other drinks. If you forget your water bottle, ask the front desk for a cup of water instead of using the plastic cups usually provided in the room. You can also bring your toiletries from home to avoid using the single-use plastic bottles hotels often provide. In addition, try to avoid using the mini bar in your room. Not only is this often overpriced, but it also generates a lot of unnecessary waste. If you do need some snacks during your stay, head to the local supermarket instead. These simple steps will help you be more eco-friendly and save you money at the same time.
Save Electricity
One of the simplest things you can do to save energy and help the environment while staying in a hotel room is to remember to turn off the lights whenever you leave the room. In addition, you should adjust the air conditioning or heating to a comfortable temperature and then turn it off altogether when you don’t need it. Another easy way to conserve energy is to unplug electronics such as your laptop, phone charger, and hair dryer when you’re not using them. While it may not seem like much, all these small actions can make a big difference.
Utilize Carbon Offsets to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon offsets are a way to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions you produce while traveling. They work by supporting projects that reduce or remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For example, you can purchase carbon offsets that fund projects such as renewable energy projects, energy efficiency initiatives, and forest restoration. By doing this, you’re essentially ‘offsetting’ the emissions from your trip and helping to fight climate change.
There are several different carbon offset providers out there, so it’s essential to do your research before selecting one. Make sure to read up on their projects and how they work to ensure your money is going towards sustainable initiatives. Also, be sure to ask about the provider’s certification—you want to ensure that your offsets are from a reputable source.
By choosing to offset your travel emissions, you’re not only helping the environment but also investing in its future. Carbon offsets provide a way for you to positively impact the world while enjoying your vacation.
Reduce Food Waste
It can be challenging to reduce food waste when traveling, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area and not sure where to find restaurants or grocery stores. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your food waste while on the go:
- Pack snacks and meals that are easy to eat on the go and won’t spoil quickly. This might include trail mix, granola bars, fruit, or sandwiches.
- Bring a cooler or insulated bag to keep perishable items fresh if you know you’ll be traveling for several days.
- When dining out, only order what you think you’ll be able to eat. Many restaurants in the United States are happy to pack leftovers for you to enjoy later, but the practice is much less common in other cultures.
Also, consider whether your hotel room has a refrigerator to keep your leftovers from spoiling. You can always order more – or stop at another restaurant – if you’re still feeling hungry.
Enjoy the Local Cuisine
If you want to really experience a destination, one of the best things you can do is eat local. Not only will you get to try some delicious new dishes and get a better sense of the culture and the people, but you’ll also be doing your part to support the sustainable local food scene.
The general goal of local food movements is to connect farmers or food producers with consumers who live in the same area so people can develop more self-sufficient and reliable food networks. Such practices can also lead to improvements in the economy, health, environment, and society of a particular place and is an alternative to the global food model, in which food is often transported vast distances before reaching the customer.
Of course, it’s not always easy to find local restaurants, but there are a few things you can do to help make the search easier:
- Ask your hotel staff or a local shop owner for recommendations. They usually know the best places to eat in town.
- Try looking for smaller restaurants that don’t have English menus. Locals usually go to these places, and they’re often the best places to find authentic food.
- Don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path. The best meals are often found in the most unexpected places. So next time you travel, add eating local to your list of things to do. You won’t regret it.
Explore Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism focuses on preserving the environment and cultural heritage of the destination. It involves minimizing the negative impacts of tourism on the local community and environment while maximizing the positive impacts.
Sustainable travel can take many forms, from eco-tourism to agritourism to cultural tourism. Whatever form it takes, the goal is always the same: creating a tourism industry beneficial for the local community and the environment.
By following the advice outlined in this article, you can do your part to support the sustainable tourism model. Johnson & Wales University’s College of Professional Studies offers a variety of hospitality degrees.
For more information about earning your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].