Travel is a relaxing, rejuvenating activity, but generally, it is not the most eco-friendly. This Earth Day, here’s how you can become eco-conscious and cut down your travel carbon footprint.
While travelling is a stress-buster for many, it causes a lot of stress on the environment, if not done right. From the carbon footprint that flights add to unnecessary consumption of water and electricity, there are many ways we harm the environment when travelling.
How to cut down on your carbon footprint when you travel
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Look for alternatives to flights
When travelling shorter distances, opt for travelling via road – trains, cars or buses. These modes of transport emit less pollution – unless one person is travelling in the car alone, which is more polluting than a flight for the same distance – and can greatly reduce the stress on the environment.
If taking a flight is unavoidable, say, if you’re travelling to another country or places which do not have connectivity via roads, then opt for direct flights as they take the shortest, most direct route to your destination. And if this is not possible, opt for flights that have the least number of stops, as studies show that flights release the most carbon when taking off and landing. And opt for greener flights or those that are working to offset their carbon footprint.
Another thing you can do, especially if you have little control over the type of flight (direct or with stops), is choose economy seats as these require less space and can house more people per row than business or first class. This will greatly offset your carbon footprint in the same flight.
Be mindful of your energy, and water consumption at hotels
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While on vacation, it can be easy to misuse water and electricity in the form of long showers, baths, and using more lights and air conditioning than is necessary. If you have a window in your room, keep your curtains open during the day instead of turning on the lights, and use the central cooling/heating systems only when you are in the room. Also, ask hotels to not change the linen and towels in your room every day, to reduce water and detergent used for laundry.
Another easy way to reduce your carbon footprint is by opting to stay at environment-friendly hotels that are mindful of the environment — some keep glass bottles in rooms instead of plastic, and others make use of solar energy and other ways to reduce energy consumption.
Be mindful of your toiletries
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Most big hotels offer tiny bottles of shampoos and gels for your consumption. While these are convenient, they are wasteful and substantially add to our carbon footprint while travelling. Instead, carry your own soap and shampoo bars (as these are mostly package-free and sustainable), and bring your own bamboo toothbrushes to hotels, instead of depending upon the disposable ones most properties keep.
Carry your own travel kit
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One of the easiest things you can do to offset your carbon footprint is to carry a reusable water bottle. Since airports have restrictions on the number and/or quantity of liquids that can be carried, keep an empty water bottle with you and refill it at airports, restaurants and hotels to reduce your dependence on single-use plastic bottles.
Also, even if you cannot carry a lunch box with you, keep a cutlery kit — with a spoon, fork, straw and napkin — handy, so that if you’re enjoying street food or end up at a place that has plastic cutlery, you can use your own kit and reduce the waste you may otherwise create.
Travel light
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Carrying heavy luggage consumes more fuel, and it also increases dependence on transport. Travel light, and when exploring your destinations in the day, pack a travel bag of a comfortable size that you can carry around with you, to be able to walk more and reduce your carbon footprint. And make sure to pack tote bags in case you purchase anything, to avoid buying plastic bags!
Opt for slow travel
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In a growing community of sustainable travellers, slow travel is emerging as the top pick for people looking for a stress buster without adding (much) to their carbon footprint. Spend more time in one location, opt for a local homestay and eat like a local to reduce stress on bringing in fancy materials such as fruits and vegetables to a region where they aren’t found naturally.
Living in a place for longer will reduce your dependence on flights and trains while letting you pause and explore a place deeply. It’ll also make you mindful of your choices and waste creation, as you’ll be living in a home and using their resources instead of a commercial hotel. Backpacking and hiking are also great ways to explore places as they let you move at your own pace while reducing your dependence on fuel.
Main and Featured Image Credit: Toomas Tartes/Unsplash
Related: Sustainability In 2021: How To Live An Eco-Friendly Life
Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
