We travel on vacations to have fun, explore new horizons, relax, meet new people, and learn about different cultures. The majority of the time, we are unaware that our vacation decisions impact our planet and the people who reside there. We are frequently unconcerned about the impact of our travel on global environmental challenges, particularly climate change.
Traveling sustainably should not just be preferred and perhaps be the only way to travel. The earth is a place full of possibilities and adventure that humans have been exploring since the dawn of time, yet there are only so many resources available.
Unfortunately, most of the travel industry, from waves to clouds – cruises to aero planes – is a significant contributor to carbon emissions and is far from sustainable. Travelling responsibly promotes the concept of conscious travel and being aware of how our actions abroad influence others. It entails reducing the negative environmental impact of travel by repurposing it to benefit local people and economies. It is also about ensuring that tourism benefits the communities in which it works for future generations. Being a sustainable traveller allows us to keep exploring and enjoying the earth while conserving its natural beauty, healthy ecosystems, and diverse populations.
1) FLY LESS; FLY DIRECT
A few ways to ensure that your travel doesn’t cost the environment is to check the mode and duration of your journey. Flying less and opting for other transit opportunities or flying directly to your destination without layovers reduces carbon emissions if not erases them. Many flights also encompass the concept of ‘carbon offsets ‘, which aims to contribute a part of your ticket money towards an ecological project. While carbon offsets are not reasonable justifications for emitting harmful chemicals, something stands better than nothing at all.
2) STAY LOCAL
Instead of all-inclusive major chain resorts, stay in locally-owned accommodations such as eco-hotels and ecolodges. This is a sure way to ensure that your money stays in the community, supporting small businesses and developing the community. Also, try to avoid falling prey to the ‘green washing’ scheme marketed by some hotels.
3) RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE TOURISM
Practice ethical and responsible wildlife tourism that prohibit close encounters with animals or, worse, animal abuse. Instead, go to a wildlife park where you may safely and respectfully see the animal in its natural habitat. If you’re snorkelling or scuba diving, avoid touching or treading on the coral, as this could harm the ecology, which is already vulnerable. Overfishing and rising sea temperatures caused by global warming have put coral reefs in jeopardy worldwide. Coral reefs are vanishing at twice the rate of rainforests. Five per cent has already been irreversibly destroyed, with another 35 per cent expected to disappear within the next 10 to 40 years.
4) REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
Eliminate single-use plastics and carry your water bottle and cutlery wherever you can. Choose water bottles with purification systems over disposable plastic alternatives to reduce plastic waste. Water bottles with purification systems, rather than disposable plastic equivalents, can help reduce plastic waste. Consider bringing a few extra cotton tote bags with you. You never know when you’ll need them, plus it’ll save you money on plastic shopping bags when you’re travelling. Reducing your single-use plastic usage is critical to halting the growth of the garbage patch and limiting waste in ecosystems worldwide.
5) DO NOT EXPLOIT ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Travelling will undoubtedly expose you to commodified animal items, ranging from animal skins to exotic shells. When travelling, it’s tempting to get caught up in the thrill of viewing exotic species, but being an ethical traveller entails a duty of care. Animal products show little regard for the suffering of wildlife and the negative consequences of its actions. Behind the scenes, there is an unfathomable amount of cruelty, as most businesses that sell animal products do not have the animals’ best interests in mind when they take your money.
Travelling is a luxury that comes with a degree of responsibility. Travel comes from the point of respect for the environment for ethical travellers. It’s no longer enough to hop from country to country without considering the long-term consequences of your actions. Travel opens our eyes to the world’s beauty, and thanks to low-cost flights and social media, anyone can enjoy it. However, with this improved ease of access comes the risk of environmental degradation and over-tourism. Ethical travel is about deciding where we stay, what activities we participate in, and what we leave behind.
Written by, Aastha Khera
