Exploring new destinations, immersing in diverse cultures, and rejuvenating the soul – travel has always been a beloved pastime. But with tourism accounting for a significant portion of global carbon emissions, the impact of our travels on the planet cannot be ignored. According to a survey, tourism is responsible for approximately 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. Is sustainable travel just a buzzword or a pressing need of our time? In this blog post, we dive into the concept of sustainable travel and how each of our trips can make a difference.
Major sources of Carbon Emissions
Transportation
The transportation sector, including non-stop flights, luxury cruises, trains, and others, has emerged as a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions with over 106,849 flights in operation globally.
Lodging
Accommodations such as hotels and homestays consume high amounts of energy during tourist stays, with luxury resorts being particularly guilty of excessive resource utilization. This contributes to carbon emissions, as well as negative impacts on the local environment through improper waste management and the import of non-local products. Sustainability should be a consideration when choosing where to stay during travels.
Food
Did you know that your meals are responsible for about one-quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emission? It is because we humans tend to indulge more while on vacation. The hotels import food products than depending on local produce. Plus, a substantial amount of the food produced for tourism ends up in the trash.
Take Charge of Your Carbon Footprint
Make Sustainable Travel Choices. Our travel decisions greatly affect the environment, and it’s up to us to make responsible choices. Adopt these easy, eco-friendly hacks for a more sustainable travel experience and carry the positive impact into your daily life. Trust me, making small changes can lead to a big difference!
Here are the 5 tips to travel sustainably
Tip 1: Walk, walk & walk
Reduce your carbon footprint while exploring by opting for Walking and Public Transit. While flights and trains may be unavoidable for long-distance travel, you can minimize your carbon footprint by walking or taking public transit within a city. Not only is it a great way to stay active and see the city up-close, but it can also save you money.
Tip 2: Choose sustainability over luxury while picking your stay
Experience local culture and save money by staying at a Homestay, Hostel, or Guesthouse. Instead of a hotel. They are more budget-friendly and culturally immersive experience. While you may miss out on luxurious amenities like free toiletries and buffets, many now offer delicious, locally-sourced meals at an affordable price.
Tip 3: Eat local food
When visiting a city, try the local cuisine. If, for instance, you’re an Indian traveling to Singapore, research the types of food available beforehand, such as vegetarian, meat, or seafood. This will not only improve your knowledge of the food but also expand your options. Opt for fresh food over packaged food to reduce single-use plastic waste. The healthiest and most convenient option is to bring snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and berries, which are good sources of energy.
Tip 4: Say no to single-use plastics
Single-use plastics are the biggest threat to our habitat. The tourism industry produces approximately 35 million tonnes of waste every year. Out of which, the majority of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. Therefore, carry reusable straws, cutleries and stainless steel water bottles while traveling and drink locally sourced water. In case you are worried about the water, here’s a tip. Boil the water a night before to bring the water to a drinkable temperature by morning. This hack will also save money that we spend on buying bottled water.
Tip 5: Bring-your-own toiletries
Don’t you love collecting the tiny scented bottles of shampoo & moisturisers at a hotel? However, the majority of them come in plastic bottles that end up in our dump yards. The best way to avoid the usage of such single-use plastics is to carry your toiletries.
Let’s make a deliberate attempt to lower our carbon footprint, creating a better world and a more fulfilling travel experience. Additionally, remember to adhere to the principle of “Leave no trace” while exploring new places.
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