Travel
We all know about the huge emissions produced by our relentless need, and want, for travel. But it’s a part of life now, so short of avoiding it completely – which has got much easier in some cases, thanks to remote working solutions – you can start by working your way through this list to greatly minimise the damage you do.
Transport and Planning a trip
- If you have the time (can you do some work while you travel?), going via bus, train, or ship generally has less negative environmental impact.
- If there’s a group of you and the destination is within driving distance, consider taking a road trip. But if you’re traveling by yourself, it’s actually much more eco-friendly to fly.
- If you decide to drive, try renting a hybrid or electric vehicle, which use less fuel and produce less carbon emissions than gas-guzzlers.
- If you do fly, consider doing so with one of the 30+ IATA (International Air Transport Association) member airlines who offer carbon offset programs to neutralise the aircraft’s carbon emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects.
- Book direct, non-stopover flights whenever you can: It’s the takeoffs and landings that create most carbon emissions.
- Find out about your hotel’s sustainability initiatives, such as solar power, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and low-flow toilets. Keep an eye out for seals of approval from programs such as EarthCheck (Australia), and Green Globe, Rainforest Alliance (Latin America, Caribbean). Some countries, including Costa Rica, have their own certification programs to rate sustainability initiatives.
- Enquire what percentage of the hotel’s resources are local. This will not only help you make the best choice, but also lets hotel owners know that it matters to their customers. Do they hire mostly local staff? Do they get most of their foods locally? Do they use locally sourced materials in the décor? Companies that utilise indigenous resources tend to be more sustainable, as they’re investing in the local economy.
While you’re there
- Walk, bike, or use public transportation to get around whenever possible, which cuts down on gas usage and saves you money.
- Never use the hotel laundry, as they typically wash every guest’s clothes separately (even when there are only a few items). Wash clothes as you shower, then hang them up overnight so they’re dry the next day.
- Hang up your towels after each use, which is the universal sign to staff that you’d like to use them again. You don’t wash your towels every day at home, so why do it when you travel?
- Always leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door of your room while you’re out. This cuts down on chemical cleansing agents, electricity used in vacuuming, and the washing of bed linens.
- Take any leftover soap, shampoo, or toothpaste with you. Unused portions are often thrown away, and you can reuse the plastic bottles in the future.
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