Considering our footprint on the environment is a responsible, simple way that will have huge impacts. By trying to be a more sustainable traveler, we can easily achieve this goal.
Protecting natural assets, preserving historical heritage, supporting local economies, reducing advert impacts on the planet, etc. The list can be expanded. All these actions considered as options, which our travels can be more sustainable. According to the world tourism organization, sustainable travel means “management of all resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems.” But how can we be more sustainable travelers?
It is our own choice to start our travels wisely. We can search for lodges and hotels before stepping on the road. It is better to stay at accommodations where eco-friendly practices are offered or to take a bike tour. We can find information about public transportation and the recycling system of the destination.
It is our own choice to be a part of slow traveling and decrease our carbon footprint. To be a more sustainable traveler, we can go to fewer places and staying more in each one.
It is our own choice to put an end on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. We can use recyclable glass bottles or refillable water bottles. It is a win-win play as the less garbage will be produced in the environment, and the more money will stay in your pocket.
It is our own choice to participate in local communities and get to know other cultures. We can check out the local markets to buy food, gift items, crafts, and also meet people. Renting a house or an apartment is also a great choice to support the locals, and if we want to get involved in local cultures, it is a great idea to enjoy delicious cuisine, see local people, and learn about their foods and customs at the same time.
It is our own choice to protect green lives. Decreasing the amount of paper we use daily can turn into a habit to learn how to use less paper during our journeys. Printing on both sides of papers and avoiding coping unnecessary documents are proper ways that have huge impacts on producing less paper.
It is our own choice to stop using products made of wildlife. We may see a beautiful hat of a coat made of wolf fur or a tiny cute seashell on sale in a large mall. But we are responsible for all life on the earth, and we can support them by saying no to the growing marketplace for “trafficking rare and endangered wildlife product.”
Last but not least, it is our own choice to choose our tour operators. We can find operators that care about environmentally-friendly practices and are active in this regard. We can ask them if they do any particular affairs to protect nature and preserve cultural heritages, we can ask them to explain the type of accommodations they provide and if they employ local guides or any other similar questions.
