Why Green Travel Is The Way to Go

May 09, 2020

As I sat down to write down my blog, I thought about the impact that this pandemic has had on the environment. The environment seems to be one of the few things that have benefited from this pandemic. Travel, though exciting and fun, can leave a charcoal smudge in your path and leave an impact on the environment. Planes spew carbon emissions, hotels use up gallons of water to launder sheets and towels, and thirsty travelers carry loads of plastic bottles of water. But eco-friendly travel can lighten the pollution impact on Mother Nature. Even after this pandemic, the environment still needs to be taken care of. So, I decided to pen my thoughts on ways to successfully travel in an eco-friendly manner.

The majority of travelers would like to make more environmentally friendly choices. So, I would say, let our travel motto be, "Leave the place better than you found it."

1. Choosing a green destination

Some countries and cities have good Earth-friendly policies and practices in place. For example, Ecuador, whose Galapagos’s landmass is under the national park scrutiny. When looking up a vacation spot, look for places that naturally embrace the green lifestyle such as a good public transportation system, acres of parkland, walkable neighborhoods, designated bike lanes, farmers' markets, etc.

Image from: https://www.travelpulse.com/gallery/features/how-to-travel-green-this-holiday-season-5.html

2. Choosing a green mode of transportation

Cycling, hiking, and walking would, of course, be the best choices. Next in line would be trains and buses. Among land transport, trains are generally very environmentally friendly. The greenest rides would run on electric power or alternative fuels and have a high occupancy rate. Examples include Switzerland and Japan with its hybrid buses and bullet trains powered by hydroelectricity. If you plan to drive, consider renting a fuel-efficient vehicle. Cruises are not very environmentally friendly but the cruise industry is working on ways to reduce their impact on the environment. Airplanes are the least environmentally friendly but you can patronize green airports such as Chicago’s O’Hare.

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3. Choosing a green hotel

A green hotel would support the three pillars of sustainable tourism: environmental, social, and economic. The Unique Lodges of the World is a collection of some such properties. For example, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa eradicates invasive species, employs a sustainable wastewater management system, and assists community programs that specialize in education, health care, sports, culture, and conservation.

Some ways you, a concerned citizen, could help would be: Participate in the hotel’s linen-and-towel-reuse program, always flick off the lights when you leave the room, skip the bottles of water in your room and refill your own beverage container, decline housekeeping, use water glasses and coffee mugs instead of plastic or paper ones, use real tableware instead of disposable, avoid buffets (where most of the food goes to waste), and recycle.

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4. Choosing green activities

The Earth-friendly options are numerous: You can sail, snorkel, scuba dive, hike, paddleboat, paddleboard, kayak, bike, swim, bird-watch, visit a crafts or food market, take a tour that employs local guides. In Jamaica, for example, Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, with the help of visitors, donate supplies such as stationery items, Frisbees, tennis balls, and board games to a local school.