Buy carbon offsets, take the train, eat plant-based food and more ways you can shrink your footprint – how can we travel consciously and more sustainably?
Be like Greta Thunberg: If you have to fly, go economy and as direct as possible or better yet take the train, use less plastic, eat more plants, turn the air con down, or off, and stay in resorts that source staff and consumables locally
In the era of Greta Thunberg and the “green wave” that’s sweeping our depleted planet, many of us have been wondering what we can do to be more mindful and conscious of our choices as a consumer.
When we consider travelling again, we must ask ourselves how we can continue exploring the world – to keep broadening our hearts and minds, and promoting cross-cultural understanding – without hurting it.
If you’re confused about where to start, we’ve compiled this list of five actions you can take to be a more conscious and sustainable traveller. Whether you take one, three, or all five on-board for your next journey, we’re certain they will make your next trip better, for you and the earth. These tried-and-true principles are guaranteed to reduce your environmental impact and make you a more mindful traveller.
1. Travel smarter
According to the Center for Biological Diversity, “Airplanes could generate 43 gigatonnes of planet-warming pollution through 2050, consuming almost five per cent of the world’s remaining carbon budget.” Buying carbon offsets from companies like mossyearth.com or climatecare.org can help, as can booking the most direct route, since taking off and landing burns more fuel than cruising. Flying economy is more eco-friendly than business and first-class, since economy seats take up less space, as is choosing airlines that use biofuels or newer, more fuel-efficient planes.
Or, where possible, opt to take the train. Sure, trains usually take longer than planes, but they also use up to 50 per cent less fuel, plus their emissions aren’t released directly into the upper atmosphere. There’s an undeniable romance to rail travel, it allows you to experience a deeper sense of place by immersing you in the landscape, plus it gives you the chance to walk around and get to know fellow passengers.
2. Go plastic-free
In the last 10 years, we’ve made more plastic than in the whole century before that, and almost every piece of plastic ever made is still with us. You can do your bit and reduce the number of disposable plastics you consume while on the road by packing things like a reusable water bottle (like LARQ), a metal container for takeaway food, and a reusable cotton tote bag for shopping.