Travelling can be a great opportunity to see the world, but it can also have some negative effects on the environment.
The world is experiencing what is considered a climate emergency. The United Nations announced that global temperatures are rising at abnormal rates and are getting close to what scientists warned would be “an unacceptable risk.”
This doesn’t mean you should stop travelling altogether. Instead, you can travel responsibly and be mindful of your carbon footprint. When we travel, we have to be flexible and do our best to reduce harm to the environment.
Whether you’re heading out on a holiday or just going on a weekend trip, there are many ways to be more sustainable while you’re away.
1. Eat local and seasonal foods
Dining out is one of the best ways to learn more about a new culture while travelling; however, it is also a common source of waste. In some countries, restaurants may offer imported fruits and vegetables on the menu to appease the travellers’ diets for tourism purposes. However, if these fruits and vegetables aren’t in season, they were likely shipped from another country to be served—which has an environmental impact.
So, when possible, try eating at restaurants that offer local cuisine or seasonal food. This way, there’ll be less packaging used and less wasted food, while also supporting local economies. For example, if you’re going on holiday to a tropical country in the wintertime, don’t expect to find strawberries there – but there might be plenty of mangoes available!
Additionally, by eating seasonally and locally, you’ll eat fresher food while reducing your carbon footprint since the food didn’t need to be shipped in order to be consumed.
2. Avoid single-use plastics
Did you know that about 2.8 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in Canadian landfills annually? That’s equivalent to the weight of 24 CN Towers!
Single-use plastics like straws, plastic bags, and disposable cups are a major source of pollution in our oceans today. They take hundreds of years to deteriorate and release toxic chemicals into the ocean; thus, harming marine life. So, minimizing their use in our daily lives is ideal.
The best alternative when travelling is to consider bringing reusable items, like water bottles, with you. We recommend bringing a water filter so that you can refill at a tap or fountain on the go—no need for bottled water! It might not always be possible, but it’s worth trying. Minimizing single-use plastics in our daily lives is ideal, so consider reusing these items instead of throwing them away after just one use.
3. Fly less
Transport is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and the aviation industry is no exception. For many, air travel is unavoidable to certain destinations. But it’s an option for you, a way to lessen your impact on the environment is to choose more sustainable modes of transport. Ultimately, trains are among the most efficient and lowest-emitting modes of transport
For example, if you’re travelling from London to Paris, think about taking the Eurostar. It’s a high-speed train that goes under the sea and gets you there in less than 2 hours!
If flying is your only option, you can still consider other ways to reduce your emissions in your adventures along the way—like walk, bike, or take the bus instead of renting a car just for you and your travel companion(s).
4. Buy locally made souvenirs
Shopping for souvenirs and ensuring that they are locally produced can be complicated for even the most thoughtful travellers.
It’s nice to bring gifts home; to have a piece of our adventure with us. Of course, not all souvenirs are created equally—some are mass-produced by big corporations and imported to be sold. It can be difficult to know whether the souvenirs you buy have been ethically sourced.
Tip: One of the best ways to ensure that your souvenirs are ethical, is to check out local artisans and craft shops. Buying from these creators helps support local economies, and your souvenirs will capture the spirit and culture of a place.
Check out this blog post for more tips on finding good souvenirs.
Ultimately, sustainability is all about being mindful of the world around us and finding ways to minimize our impact on the environment so that we have more opportunities to do the things that we love, like travel.
Want some inspiration for your next destination? Check out “10 Sustainable Travel Destinations”!
Happy travels,
Monique
