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It’s more important than ever that we all make an effort to cut carbon emissions, but that can be tricky if you like to travel. International travel can be very damaging to the environment, but travel is a very important part of life, so what are you supposed to do?
You could just give up on international travel and only visit places here in the UK, but that’s a bit drastic. Instead, you just need to find ways to make it more eco-friendly. These are some of the best ways to reduce your carbon emissions when travelling.
Avoid Flying
The easiest way to reduce your impact is to avoid flying. It’s the least eco-friendly mode of transport there is, so if there are alternatives, you should use them. Hiring a bus from companies like US Coachways, for example, is a great option for big family trips. You should also look into getting a ferry instead of flying. However, this isn’t always an option, especially if you are travelling to the other side of the world because most people don’t have time to spend months on a ferry. So, you need to find other ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Carbon Offset Your Flight
When you book a flight, you are usually given the option to carbon offset it. This is when you pay extra money to the airline and they will then invest in green energy initiatives in order to offset the environmental impact of your flight. Again, this isn’t an option for everybody because of the added cost but it’s definitely something you should consider.
Get Walking
When you arrive at your destination, think carefully about how you get around. Taking taxis or buses everywhere isn’t exactly great for the environment, so why not walk instead? Walking is a much better option when travelling anyway because you really get to explore and see more of the place. It’s also good for your health and better for the planet, so it’s a no-brainer.
Take A Reusable Water Bottle
In some countries, it’s not advisable for tourists to drink the tap water and you will have to rely on plastic bottles. However, if you are in a country with safe drinking water, make sure that you have a reusable bottle with you. The plastic waste from water is a serious problem because it won’t degrade and if it is burned, it will cause even more environmental issues.
Make Big Changes At Home
If you make big changes at home, you can offset a lot of the carbon emissions from travel before you even set off on your trip. Simple things like cutting back your energy bills and walking instead of driving can help, but you should also make some big changes to your overall lifestyle. Learning about the sharing economy and buying second hand instead of new, for example, drastically cuts waste and reduces your carbon footprint. When you are able to make big cuts to your carbon emissions at home, you can travel guilt-free.
If you are concerned about the environmental impact of travel, use these simple tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint.