Traveling Green is easier than you might think! You don't need to sacrifice creature comforts or go off into the middle of nowhere to be a green traveler; the heart of the matter is the importance of protecting the natural and cultural environment of the places you visit, just as you would at home.
Planning your trip:
Book flights with airlines that recycle the waste created when serving food and beverages to passengers. British Airways, for instance, has a very strong environmental agenda. Southwest Airlines recycles all cabin waste, and was the first to offer electronic ticketing system-wide.
For shorter trips, take the train instead of flying -- especially in Europe or other regions where train service is fast and frequent.
Pack light! Your luggage is weighed at check-in so that the amount of fuel needed for the flight can be calculated. When it comes to luggage and emissions, environmentally speaking, less is more.
If renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle that can comfortably accommodate you. Decline any "free" upgrades, which will cost you, and the environment, more in gas.
Taking a long road trip? If your personal vehicle is large and not very fuel-efficient, consider renting an economy car instead. You'll save gas and avoid putting miles on your own vehicle.
Before you leave:
- Take these steps to save energy at home while you’re gone:
- Turn off AC/heat or adjust the thermostat to the most economical setting while still protecting pets, plants, water pipes, etc.
Appliances, such as TVs and cable converter boxes, should be unplugged because they can draw or "leak" as much as 40 watts per hour even when they're off.
Turn icemaker off. Stop your newspaper or in many areas, you can donate your papers to a local organization while you are traveling.
Once you arrive:
Hotel: During your hotel stay, continue what you perhaps already practice at home: turn off the TV, switch all the lights off and turn the A/C or heat down when you go out. Also, opt for short showers and use your own toiletries instead of the small and usually over-packaged hotel toiletries. Here are some other green hotel tips:
- Participate in hotel linen programs, or let the hotel know that it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.
- Instead of leaving bathroom lights (and fans) on all night, pack a small night light.
- Participate in hotel recycling programs by placing recyclables in appropriate bins.
Sight-seeing: Walking and non-motorized bike tours are a most enjoyable way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Get to know a new location by walking or biking where sensible. Other green sight-seeing tips:
- Use public transportation, the hotel van or share taxis instead of renting a car.
- Encourage your tour-bus driver to turn the motor off when idling.
- If you're driving, turn your motor off when idling.
- Don't allow anything to be thrown out of your car windows—ever.
Avoid disposable cameras and bring your own digital camera. Like any other modern device which takes loads of energy to make and only gets used once before being dumped, disposable cameras are rather wasteful.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Avoid taking or purchasing souvenirs that hurt the environment, like pieces of a coral reef or products make from endangered animals and recycle or dispose of trash properly.
Support the local economy and get a taste of native cuisine by buying local products whenever possible instead of those that have been flown or shipped in from overseas.
A big part of being a green traveler is striving to understand different people, cultures, and history. “Traveling Green” means being mindful to protect and conserve resources; respecting local cultures and ways of life; and contributing positively to local communities.