The environmental impacts of unsustainable traveling worsen each year, from increased carbon emissions and energy consumption to food waste and water pollution. Consequently, the need to balance wanderlust with responsible, eco-conscious practices is more prominent than ever.
Thankfully, finding sustainable ways to travel is easier than you may think. Follow these eight strategies to minimize your ecological footprint as you explore new and exciting destinations — whether around the block or on the other side of the world.
1. Pack Light and Smart
Packing light allows you to move around more easily, avoid extra baggage fees, and spend considerably less time at luggage claim. It can also help you travel more sustainably. The heavier your packed bags and suitcases, the more fuel the vehicle must consume to transport them, leading to higher carbon emissions.
According to Sustainable Travel International, reducing luggage weight by 15 pounds can eliminate up to 80 pounds of emissions on a 10-hour flight. The potential carbon footprint savings for a mere 100 passengers would be 8,000 pounds of CO2. Plan for a low-waste experience by packing more reusable items in your bags while keeping the number of disposables to a bare minimum.
2. Plan to Use Lots of Eco-Friendly Transportation
Whenever possible, choose sustainable ways of getting where you need to go. Consider walking or cycling to nearby attractions — there’s no better way to take in the local scene. Sustainable public transportation options like electric trains or biodiesel buses are a great idea and can be an effective way to interact with people.
Remember that your safety remains the No. 1 priority. Some travel destinations might be less secure than you might like, in which case, sustainability concerns immediately become secondary.
3. Stay at Green Accommodations
Evaluating various accommodation options is essential to being an eco-conscious traveler in 2024. Before booking, check if the establishment has received environmental certifications or participates in sustainability programs.
Hotels and resorts worldwide are finding innovative ways to minimize their carbon footprint — from using renewable energy to conserving water and enforcing recycling. Staying at such facilities is a great way to support their green initiatives and contribute to sustainable tourism. With climate change awareness higher than ever, you’ll almost certainly find eco-friendly lodgings, especially in popular destinations.
4. Respect Local Wildlife and Natural Habitats
Being mindful of wildlife and natural areas helps preserve biodiversity. Avoid activities that exploit animals and their habitats, as they drastically exacerbate the environmental crisis. For example, temperatures in the Gulf of Maine have risen faster than 99% of the world’s oceans because of lobster fishing, pollution, and other human activities.
These drastic changes threaten the survival of aquatic sea life and can set the progress of sustainability efforts back a few decades. Strive to follow best practices when hiking or exploring natural areas, ensuring your visit doesn’t disturb the ecosystem.
5. Never Waste Food
Waste already impacts up to 40% of the food supply, making sustainability matters more expedient than ever, especially when traveling. For example, it’s normal to encounter dishes you might not like, but avoid leaving leftovers. Develop the habit of ordering only what you can eat and utilizing remnants responsibly.
On a related note, consider opting for plant-based meals to lower your carbon footprint since meat production is resource-intensive. One study found that switching to a plant-based diet can slash your carbon footprint by up to 2.1 tons.
6. Be Conscious of Your Water and Energy Use
Taking shorter showers, reusing towels, and limiting hot water usage can significantly reduce your ecological impact during travel. Similarly, turning off lights and electronics when not in use is vital in avoiding phantom energy usage.
Conserving these resources helps protect local ecosystems and reduces the emissions associated with energy production. These practices will serve you well every day, allowing you to cultivate a sustainability mindset worth emulating.
7. Say No to Plastic
Tourism is one of the leading contributors to global plastic pollution — water bottles, shampoo containers, straws, packages, and many more. Just look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or other examples of the effects of unabated contamination. To worsen matters, over 300 million metric tons of plastic are produced each year with no sign of slowing down.
As an eco-conscious traveler, the best you can do is avoid these products as much as possible. Carry portable, reusable containers and refuse single-use plastics when offered at restaurants or shops.
8. Purchase Carbon Offsets
Buying carbon credits can be a practical way to offset the footprint produced by your travel activities. These tokens represent the removal or reduction of greenhouse gases and are generated through projects that reduce emissions or sequester CO2.
Start by calculating your potential carbon footprint based on your travel details — flights, accommodation, tourist activities and so on. Once you know your footprint, you can purchase equivalent carbon credits from organizations that manage offset projects. For example, if your trip generates 1 ton of CO2, buying 1 ton of credits ensures that an equivalent amount of emissions is reduced or removed elsewhere.
Become an Eco-Conscious Traveler
Consider these practical tips on how to travel more sustainably. Making even a few minor changes to your routines and habits can make a big difference to the communities you visit and the planet. Why not try these strategies on your next trip?
Mia Barnes is a health and lifestyle writer with a passion for sustainable wellness and eco-friendly living. Mia is the Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind magazine with over 5 years of experience in freelance writing.
