Summer is just around the corner. Scenes of sun, sea, and surf may already fill your thoughts. Visions of strolling in airy clothes, sandals, and woven totes may be filling your mind. Some may already have their complete summer itinerary planned.
Summer inspires people to travel. They may gallivant in the mountains or frolic on beaches. A lot of places have thawed out and are inviting people to enjoy the sun and warm breeze. But did you know that traveling can also wreak havoc on our environment? Many are still unaware of the carbon footprint that trips have. Some examples of the negative impact of travel and tourism are:
- Overuse of water. For example, a typical golf course in a tropical country uses as much water as 60,000 villagers.
- Climate change. A 25% increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is expected by 2030 compared to emissions in 2016.
- Waste Disposal. Over 875,000 tons of waste were dumped in 2024.
- Land Degradation. By 2024, people will degrade more than 1,725,680 square kilometers of land.
Tourism is a major source of greenhouse gases. It causes about 8% of global emissions. Experts think this number will keep rising.
Here's another example from a report published in 2023 by the World Travel and Tourism Council. The Environmental Impact of Global Tourism report says that greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) were about 8.1% in 2019. The sector also monitors the impact of travel and tourism in other areas. These include energy use, raw material extraction, air pollution, and water use.
What is Sustainable Travel?
Photo by Iam Anupong
These impacts might make you ask: "Should I skip traveling?"
Worry not, as there are sustainable holiday choices that are convenient and easy for you to do. Over the years, sustainable travel has been gaining traction. People are aware that holidays harm the environment. This has made them more conscious of their travel choices. Sustainable travel can be defined in a variety of ways, such as:
- Choosing to travel in the most efficient way while minimizing carbon emissions.
- Doing sustainable activities that do less harm to the environment.
- Respecting local cultures and supporting cultural projects.
- Supporting local, sustainable brands and contributing to the local community.
Here are some top sustainable travel tips. They'll give you concrete ideas on how to be earth-friendly while enjoying the summer.
1. Modes of Transport
Photo by Milos Stankovic
Be mindful of your mode of transportation. If possible, limit traveling by plane or avoid cruises. Traveling by airplane or ship emits more greenhouse gases compared to cars. A one-way flight emits more than 20% of CO2 than a car emits in a year. Traveling by ship is also the same, with a ship emitting several tonnes of GHG compared to a car. For example, 47 cruise ships emit ten times more sulfur oxides than 100 million cars.
For nearby or domestic destinations, you could opt for a bus, car, or train. They are more sustainable. When in tourist destinations, going around by foot or bicycle are greener options.
2. Holiday Etiquette
Photo by Szepy
You also have to be aware of how you behave when you’re visiting another place. Be sure that you leave the place as it was when you first arrived. This includes:
- not littering
- taking care not to hurt the flora and fauna by sticking to footpaths
- ensuring that environmental laws or guidelines are followed
- use environment-friendly travel products
- Cut down on water consumption by reusing towels and sheets if they’re still clean
3. Eco-Friendly Accommodation
Photo by Alacatr
When available, opt for eco-friendly accommodations. Some accommodations are Green Key-certified. They ensure they have made sustainable changes to their structure and policies. Choose green hotels, homestays, and other lodgings. They help reduce the harm of travel and tourism to the environment.
4. Rethink, Reuse, Repurpose
Try to be more eco-conscious about your choices while traveling. Bring a reusable water bottle to help lessen the amount of plastic used.
Rethink your decision when buying clothes, accessories, or souvenirs. When you can, choose items made of natural materials. For example, mother-of-pearl coasters or sustainable tableware.
Repurpose items that you have when needed. For example, a large tote you plan to carry to the beach can also work as a market bag. You can use it when buying travel supplies.
5. Support Local
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Some tourist destinations rely on tourism to boost their economy. Support local businesses that give back to the community. Start by choosing tour operators that invest in the community they do business in. You can also opt to eat in local restaurants instead of big food chains.
Sustainable Yet Still Sizzling
Photo by Fred Froese
Choosing sustainable travel doesn't mean you give up fun. The most important thing to remember is to be aware of how your actions can have consequences. You can do your part to protect the environment. You can do this by booking an eco-friendly place. You can also do it by using sustainable accessories. Or, you can do it by supporting local sustainability efforts. Summer trips can be scorchingly fun. This is especially true if you know you are doing your bit to save the planet.