Sustainable Travel: Tips on How to Travel Better

Can Travel be Sustainable?

Is it possible that we can make travel more sustainable and leave less of a carbon footprint while still being able to see everything the world has to offer.

---

What is Sustainable Travel

Sustainable travel is exploring the world while leaving a minimum carbon footprint on the earth. It is the act of traveling and keeping in mind the long-term impact our actions have on the planet. "It’s a balancing act between maximizing the positives of travel while reducing or eliminating the negatives." (Richard Hammond)

Why is Sustainability Important

The actions we take now have a big impact on the earth and the life of future generations to come. Every day thousands of animal and plant species are threatened with extinction due to air, land and sea pollution, deforestation and more. Being mindful of our impact on the earth and taking steps to protect it helps to provide lasting benefits that we can enjoy as well as future generations.

Tips to travel more sustainably

Travel doesn't need to destroy the planet and there are steps we can take to be more mindful about what we do. Here are a few steps you can take.

Before the trip:

• Avoid Single-Use Plastic Pack a reusable water bottle that you can refill on the trip and avoid taking or using plastic bags. Only take items you can reuse (where possible).
  

• Pack Light Ladies, I know this is hard, but packing light helps to reduce emissions when traveling. The heavier the plane the harder she has to work. (You can do it!)
  

• Plan Trips Together If your vacation days allow it and you want to travel within the same region, to multiple destinations, try planning to see everywhere at once. Or if you have meetings and appointments in another state, try to book them around the same time. Avoid traveling back and forth multiple times.

During the trip:

• Fly Direct

  Avoid multiple layovers or connecting flights and try to fly directly to your destination whenever possible. Planes produce more carbon during takeoff and landing than the actual flight, so booking non-stop decreases your carbon footprint.
  

• Choose E-Tickets Sometimes, these airlines give paper tickets anyways, but try to use e-tickets as much as possible and say "no" to a receipt when making a purchase (because that's what the banking app is for and if it was cash it was basically free (girl math)).
  

• Walk, Bicycle or Use Public Transit Walk or bike wherever is possible and safe to do so and use the public transportation provided. This way you get to feel like a local and see the place from a different perspective. You will learn so much this way! (trust me)
  

• Go for a Hybrid Choosing to rent an electric or hybrid vehicle will help to reduce your carbon footprint. (So, go for the Prius! Stop hating on it)
  

• Eat and Shop from Locals

  This way you are supporting local, small businesses, but they also tend to purchase fresh produce or supplies locally which requires less emissions and supports the community.
  

• Hotel Tips Don't leave the water running when not in use, Reuse your towels, (just cause they can wash them doesn't mean they need to) Opt-out of a room clean when not needed. (think of it like this: how often do you actually clean your room?)
  

• Take Your Trash With You I mean, even in your home country you shouldn't do this, but do not litter anywhere that you visit.

By taking these steps and being more mindful when traveling we can help to reduce our carbon footprint and make traveling a bit more sustainable. Being sustainable helps to ensure there is a planet here for us and future generations to enjoy! :)

Comment any other tips you can think of that I missed.

Thanks for reading,

Your Travel Bestie!

---

*New blog posted every Saturday*

Comment or direct message any topics you want me to cover

Please share and like to help spread the message.

Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more travel tips!