Four Ideas for More Eco-Friendly Journeys
February 4th 2011 20:21
Green Travel. Four Ideas for More Eco-Friendly Journeys
Travelling is one of the most exciting ways to discover more about the world and meet new people, but the modern way of doing it – all cheap flights and package tours – is a huge sap on the world’s resources. Rather than giving up travelling altogether, there are plenty of things you can do to minimise the impact of your trips. Our guest travel expert, Isabel Clift from AnyTrip.com, shares her four environmentally-friendly tips which will help to reduce your carbon footprint while on the road…
1) Stay close to home
(Image: British residents needn’t venture far to visit eco-friendly Milden Hall in Suffolk, England. Credit)
Sometimes we forget that going on holiday is as much a change in state of mind, pace and priorities as it is a change in place. Jetting off to an exotic locale doesn’t have to be the only way to get away from it all - explore the holiday options on your own turf and you’re sure to find all manner of great breaks. Going on holiday close to home lightens your trip’s carbon footprint considerably, as you’re responsible for less fuel used for transportation.
2) Pack green
Think about what to pack and you’ll make your trip far more efficient. Bring a re-usable canvas bag for carrying your shopping rather than picking up extra plastic bags, and a refillable water pouch so you’re not constantly buying plastic bottles. You can also bring toiletries from in their own refillable plastic containers, rather than buying extra mini travel toiletries.
3) Avoid planes (if you can!)
(Image: Rail Travel is far more eco-friendly than flying.Credit)
Commercial flights use up huge amounts of fuel during take-off and landing. For short-haul journeys, train or coach travel to your final destination is far more fuel-efficient. If you’re going long-haul, flying can be nearly unavoidable – try to take non-stop flights without connections. More take-offs and landings mean more emissions added to your carbon footprint.
4) Choose an eco hotel
Your hotel can do plenty of things to make itself more environmentally-friendly. Do your research and you can find yourself a more responsibly-minded place to stay, whether you’re off to the Costa Rican rainforest or the wilds of New York City. Look for hotels that have applied eco principals to every area of their operation – this includes recycling waste, fitting low-flow systems to taps, going on a green energy tariff and showing social responsibility by employing local staff, working with local businesses and supporting chosen charities.
Ready to travel greener? See more eco travel tips here.
About our guest author: Isabel Clift is a travel writer and blogger for AnyTrip.com, a travel company based in the UK. She lives in London, loves vintage fairs and organic food, and tries her best to balance a love for travel with an eco-conscience!
Travelling is one of the most exciting ways to discover more about the world and meet new people, but the modern way of doing it – all cheap flights and package tours – is a huge sap on the world’s resources. Rather than giving up travelling altogether, there are plenty of things you can do to minimise the impact of your trips. Our guest travel expert, Isabel Clift from AnyTrip.com, shares her four environmentally-friendly tips which will help to reduce your carbon footprint while on the road…
1) Stay close to home
(Image: British residents needn’t venture far to visit eco-friendly Milden Hall in Suffolk, England. Credit)
Sometimes we forget that going on holiday is as much a change in state of mind, pace and priorities as it is a change in place. Jetting off to an exotic locale doesn’t have to be the only way to get away from it all - explore the holiday options on your own turf and you’re sure to find all manner of great breaks. Going on holiday close to home lightens your trip’s carbon footprint considerably, as you’re responsible for less fuel used for transportation.
2) Pack green
(Image: Packing a canvas bag can save wasting plastic bags and littering the environment. Credit)
Think about what to pack and you’ll make your trip far more efficient. Bring a re-usable canvas bag for carrying your shopping rather than picking up extra plastic bags, and a refillable water pouch so you’re not constantly buying plastic bottles. You can also bring toiletries from in their own refillable plastic containers, rather than buying extra mini travel toiletries.
3) Avoid planes (if you can!)
(Image: Rail Travel is far more eco-friendly than flying.Credit)
Commercial flights use up huge amounts of fuel during take-off and landing. For short-haul journeys, train or coach travel to your final destination is far more fuel-efficient. If you’re going long-haul, flying can be nearly unavoidable – try to take non-stop flights without connections. More take-offs and landings mean more emissions added to your carbon footprint.
4) Choose an eco hotel
(Image: If you do go abroad, consider staying in an environmentally-conscious hotel. Credit)
Your hotel can do plenty of things to make itself more environmentally-friendly. Do your research and you can find yourself a more responsibly-minded place to stay, whether you’re off to the Costa Rican rainforest or the wilds of New York City. Look for hotels that have applied eco principals to every area of their operation – this includes recycling waste, fitting low-flow systems to taps, going on a green energy tariff and showing social responsibility by employing local staff, working with local businesses and supporting chosen charities.
Ready to travel greener? See more eco travel tips here.
About our guest author: Isabel Clift is a travel writer and blogger for AnyTrip.com, a travel company based in the UK. She lives in London, loves vintage fairs and organic food, and tries her best to balance a love for travel with an eco-conscience!
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Erica Lou
