This year, no one can take any lightly when it comes to traveling. Record temperatures, extreme weather and associated uncertainty are frequently hitting the headlines, with climate change to blame.
Of course, the most sustainable approach would be to stay at home and live like a hermit, but that’s simply not feasible or desirable, so the next best thing is to be intentional about how we travel in 2024.
With that in mind, if this is your ambition, here are some tips:
Promoting carbon offsetting initiatives
There’s no denying the fact that even the greenest travel still has an impact on the environment: one report puts tourism’s contribution to humanity’s total carbon emissions at 8%.
This is where carbon offsets come in: an effective way to mitigate the travel emissions generated on your adventures.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
Calculate your carbon footprint: Use an online calculator like TerraPass or MyClimate to estimate your emissions during your trip.
Supporting Verified Projects: Invest in projects certified by the Gold Standard or VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) for trusted impact.
Choose various offsets: Combine investments in reforestation, renewable energy, and community-based programs to achieve broad-based benefits.
Carbon offsetting is a way to contribute to a tangible environmental solution rather than simply throwing money at the problem of travel-related environmental impact. It’s as necessary and rewarding as balancing your checkbook after splurging on a luxury trip.
If you already have money-saving habits, you can apply the same principles to them:
Choose eco-friendly accommodation
Choosing eco-friendly accommodations while traveling is another way to significantly reduce your carbon footprint. This is important considering that, according to a WSHA report, hotels need to reduce their carbon emissions by 66% within the next six years to avoid global temperatures rising to dangerous levels. Here’s how to choose wisely:
Explore certifications: Stay at LEED, Green Key, EarthCheck and other certified accommodations.
Study their practicesPriority will be given to hotels and lodges that take steps to conserve water, use renewable energy and support local communities.
Choose a smaller accommodationSmaller inns and guesthouses often have a smaller impact on the environment than larger resorts.
Staying environmentally friendly is similar to choosing organic produce when buying groceries because it supports a healthier system. It’s a case of voting with your wallet, and it’s one of the best ways to convince big corporations that they need to do better when it comes to protecting the environment.
Participate in sustainable activities
While the temptation to blast off on a jet ski or rent a gas-guzzling vehicle during your adventure may be strong, these traditional options tend to take a toll on the planet. Instead, aim to get involved in activities that respect and protect nature. Here are some eco-friendly ideas:
hiking: Explore local trails. They promote physical fitness and require minimal resources. There are plenty of world-class examples, from the Walker’s Haute Route through the French and Swiss Alps to the Ozark Highlands Trail, which winds through the natural beauty of the Midwest.
Wildlife Tours: Take part in an ethical wildlife tour that supports conservation efforts and educates participants about local ecosystems.
Kayak or canoe: Enjoy non-motorized, minimally polluting water sports.
Participating in these activities feels like eating a home-cooked meal because it’s nutritious and environmentally friendly. Plus, participating in these activities gives you a unique way to connect with nature without harming it.
Choose slow travel to minimize impacts
There’s clear data comparing emissions across different modes of transportation, with domestic flights coming out on top, beating out internal combustion engines and long-haul flights. This sheds light on the cost of getting from point A to point B quickly. Luckily, slow travel is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and jumpstart your connection to your destination. Here’s how to do it:
Traveling by train or busThese modes of travel have a smaller carbon footprint than airplanes and are also more scenic.
Stay longer in less: Reduce transportation emissions by immersing yourself in a place rather than driving from place to place.
Explore on foot or by bikeWalking and cycling are emission-free ways to experience local culture and scenery.
The aim is to ditch the fast-food approach to travel, which may provide quick gratification in the moment but yields less-than-ideal results in the long term.
Final thoughts
From paying to offset your travel carbon footprint to using slower modes of transportation, the best thing about these tips is that they don’t just apply to 2024, but to the foreseeable future as well. So, if you’re interested in living sustainably, you don’t have to give up on your travel plans entirely — you just need to rethink how you approach travel.
