Travel can take its toll on the environment, but there are plenty of ways you can reduce your impact on Mother Earth while on vacation. Here are eight tips to get started.
Look for eco-friendly destinations
Consider destinations like Costa Rica that make environmental sustainability one of their priorities.
Book direct flights
Every time you take off and land, it adds to the carbon emissions being released into the environment. Booking a direct flight means fewer takeoffs and landings as well as fewer miles flown.
Use public transportation, walk or ride a bike
Skip the taxi and opt for eco-friendly options like public transportation, walking or riding a bike whenever possible.
Book a green hotel
Make your stay an eco-friendly one by choosing a hotel that makes green initiatives a priority. Hotels are implementing eco-friendly practices when it comes to lighting, water usage and food, so be sure to do your research before booking. You can use a resource like Green Hotels to find an eco-friendly stay.
Reuse your towels
Many hotels have a policy in place where they will only change your towels if you leave them on the floor, but even if your hotel doesn’t have such a policy, you can always ask housekeeping to change your towels every two to three days rather than every day. This cuts down on the amount of laundry the hotel has to do, thus cutting back on water usage.
Conserve energy
Whenever you leave your hotel, make sure you don’t waste energy: Turn off your air conditioning, lights, television and other electrical appliances.
Look for excursions with eco-friendly policies
Tours and excursions can take a toll on the environment, so look for companies that have initiatives in place to reduce their environmental impact. Ask companies about their sustainability practices, which might include conservation, recycling or fuel efficiency.
Buy local
Buy local products whenever possible. Not only will you be supporting the local economy (including farmers, business owners and craftsmen), but you’ll also be supporting products that don’t use energy or create carbon emissions due to transportation.
What’s your best tip for being a more eco-friendly traveler?
(Main image: oneworldgallery)
