We all love travelling, it is a life changing, eye opening, wonderful experience. We all love the Earth though too. With less than twelve years left until climate change is irreversible the huge carbon footprint tradiational travel produces creates the question, how can we still travel and care about the environment?
Take the Train
We all know that taking your own private car is harder on mother nature than sharing the bus or the train. Taxis and private hires are just the same. Take the bus or the train and limit the toxins you leave behind. This creates a unique experience as well, on a bus in Edinburgh I met 80 year old Norma who told me a story about every corner of the city. I heard one of the best renditions of Hozier’s Take Me To Church in a tube station in London. You not only help save the planet but see a different side of the city and get a richer experience by taking the train.
Avoid the Plane
As exemplified by Greta Thunberg’s choice to sail to the US, planes are massive pollutants. Avoid them whenever you can. And trust me, you see far more and have a much better experience on the train journey across Europe than you do cramped in a lying metal tube next to a crying baby and a snoring businessman.
Check your Hotels
Some hotels and hostels do better than others on the sustainability front. Before booking check what your accommodations environmental policies are and choose one that is making an effort to care for the beautiful environment they are in.
Bring your Own Stuff
Traditional travelling always seems to end up with an absurd amount of disposable stuff. I get it, it is more convenient to buy a bottle of water or to use the little hotel shampoo. But, times this by every traveller and you end up with a huge amount of trash. Bring a reusable water bottle and your own toiletries and you will be making real difference in the waste you leave behind and saving you a few bucks on bottled water.
Avoid Cheap Souvenirs
You know what is better than a plastic souvenir that will probably break or end up forgotten in the bottom of a drawer when you get home? Photographs. Take as many photos as you can and forget about the cheap nick nacks at every souvenir store you pass. Not only will you save money so you can afford that one quality item you really want in a place but you will have a rich collection of photos to remember your travels by when you get home.
Leave no Trace
This one you should remember anywhere but is particularly important when camping. Anything you bring in with you bring out. You don’t want your camping trash chocking a bird, suffocating a fish or ruining the next person’s camping trip.
Blessed are the Curious 