Green Travel – A Beginner’s Guide
In today’s ultra-green, Eco-guilt
complex social environment, many people wax lyrical that there is no such thing
as true Eco- friendly travel. Fuel prices are fluctuating madly, CO2 levels are
rising along with oceans and natural disasters due to climate change wreak
havoc across the globe. It is no wonder that flying, which in itself consumes a
huge amount of fuel and energy, draws much criticism. All this
on-the-level-of-Mum guilt might compel you to give up your travel plans
altogether and stay at home.
You may alleviate your guilt
somewhat by buying second-hand travel goods or carbon credits, but are you
fooling yourself by thinking that you’re somehow saving the Amazon rain forest
or improving ecological sustainability in a small African village? The majority
of us travel in a way that means we are in and out of a country within a short
period of time, leaving behind an increasingly large ecological footprint and
little else.
That being said, there are ways to
make as much of a contribution as you can to the places you visit and reduce
your energy consumption on the road, whilst being fully aware that ‘Green Ego’
is a truly dangerous thing.
Before
you leave
Truly Eco Friendly Cosmetics
If you are willing to travel with
the bare minimum, leave any electronics at home. Most of us, however, find it
necessary to bring our computers, cameras and iPods with us. Simple things you
can do to reduce your electricity usage in the places you visit include using
solar powered devices, hand crank electronics (such as the new media player
that requires only your ability to crank it and crank it good), cameras that
use NiMH rechargeable batteries and uncomplicated notebooks such as Asus’ Eee
PC that requires very little energy. There are a multitude of companies that
sell such products and have company wide sustainable,
renewable practices.
Bring biodegradeable and organic
soaps on the road with you to care for both your well being and the planet’s.
Dr Bronner’s is an excellent all-round liquid soap that you can use from head
to toe and to wash your clothes. Speaking of clothes, go second-hand and
support companies that sustainably produce earth-friendly fibres such as
organic bamboo or hemp. Not only do they look, feel and smell great, they
travel well too – drying quicker than cotton.
On
the road – Getting from A to B in a green way
Slow but steady low emission public transport
Flying is a great way to release
Earth warming gases directly into the atmosphere, with nitrous oxide and
vapours doing additional harm to CO2 at high altitudes. So take the bus or
train instead (or if you’re so inclined, bike around the world!). If you must
fly, choose an airline that supports green travel and makes conscious efforts
to reduce their impact on the environment.
Carbon offsets may or may not be a
passing fad, but if you do your research, you will find many reputable and
reliable companies that focus on renewable/clean energy, emissions-reducing
initiatives, credits in existing clean energy and sustainable development
projects.
Some well known groups include the
strict Carbon-neutral Company, non-profit Carbon Fund and Native Energy which
aids communities in need Remember that carbon offsets are not a substitute for
changing your travel habits, but simply a way to compensate for emissions you
are unable to eradicate in other ways. Simple things you can do is avoid short
to medium haul flights, fly direct (as 25% of your flights emissions are pumped
into the atmosphere at take off) and fly during the day, on newer, more fuel
efficient aircraft.
One of the most effective and energy
conserving travel practices you can adopt is taking public transport. Taking
the bus, in countries where it is safe to do so, generates about a quarter of
the carbon you would emit if you travel by plane. Bicycle and motorbike tours
are available through much of the world and allow you flexibility and are
relatively guilt free – many European countries have bicycles for rent
throughout their cities or even free bicycles.
Train travel has become increasingly
popular in recent years, as it is generally cheap, comfortable, allows you to
admire more of a country’s scenery and cuts your emissions dramatically – think
of the amazing Trans-Siberian Express which traipses across some of the world’s
most stunning countryside
Where
to stay to be green
Grow Your Own Veggies on the Road -
Ecovillaging at its Finest
For those who like the high life,
there is no shortage of accommodation that purports to be “green” – the
Intercontinental chain of hotels, which includes Holiday Inn, instituted energy
conservation practices way back in 1990. Remember when you’re perusing your
next fancy hotel that nearly 5 tons of waste and approximately 80,000 gallons
of water are created every year by each hotel room – multiply that by the sheer
number of hotels across the globe, and you can see that solutions are required,
and pronto.
Do your research carefully and make
sure that your hotel has a reliable recycling program, compost their food
scraps, clean their waste water safely and contribute to their local
communities by promoting renewable practices. Email your friendly hotel manager
and suggest that they use Eco-friendly cleaning products, recycled, unbleached
toilet paper, energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and turn off lights
and air-conditioning in unoccupied rooms.
As for what you can do when
occupying their premises, start with requesting sheets and towel changes only
every three days, effectively reducing your laundry related emissions by nearly
70%.
If you are prepared to rough it out
and make a change at the same time, volunteering at Eco-communities, Eco-villages or organic farms may be the way to go. has been
popular amongst hippies and students alike, but is truly a way to contribute to
the communities that you visit, not to mention you learn about planting,
harvesting, sustainable practices and appropriate technologies.
Eco-villages are beautiful examples
of community life that include self sufficiency in food, off grid electricity
and water as well as holistic solutions and education regarding the future of
our planet- find one to visit at the Global Eco village Network and discover
places that you would usually miss if you have your nose in your country
specific Lonely Planet guide.
What
to do on a green holiday
A Million Sunsets - All One in a
Million
Eco-tourism is the new hot word in
travel, along with “green”, “sustainable” and “reducing carbon emissions.”
However, as is usually the case, scrupulous business minded individuals often
stick the word “Eco” onto their trips without actually instituting sustainable
practices.
Once again, it is our responsibility
as travelers to do our research on each company we may be interested in giving
our money to in exchange for a “real Eco-trek” to ensure that we are supporting
the right cause. Be aware that the recent boom in visits to disappearing
attractions (e.g. glaciers, polar bears and rain forests) may instead greatly
harm communities, plants, animals and habitats which are not equipped to
protect themselves from the treading of hiking boot covered tourist feet.
Support the local economy of the
places you visit but perusing their bazaars and markets, being careful to ask
if that fancy beaded headdress was made by a Karen tribe member of Thailand or
in a super Handicrafts of the World factory in Taiwan or Macau – who can ignore
the generic tie dye print pants and Indian style cotton shirts rampant through
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and India?
Visit places that sell fair-trade
products and clearly show their commitment to local industries. As the demand
for cheap, disposable and tacky souvenirs disappears, local economies are sure
to thrive as sustainable livelihoods flourish – not to mention the carbon
emissions you prevent from being created by transporting items from other
countries.
Getting back to nature is essential,
both for the globe and for your soul. Watching a sunrise or a sunset with a
loved one, climbing volcanoes (try swimming in Mt. Pinatubo’s
aquamarine-watered crater in the Philippines, for example), exploring forests,
going on self directed hikes or dives are life enriching and sustainable travel
treats that cause minimal damage to the Earth.
Do it yourself is the key! Not only
will you leave with a much greater appreciation of where you fit in this living
organism we call Earth, you will also be a shining example to others of how
simple travel can be the most fulfilling.
What
to eat to be green
Supporting Self Sufficiency with
your Dollar
Refusing meat is the single most
effective action you can take to cut your carbon footprint whilst traveling,
while also reducing your chances of getting Delhi Belly. The UN released a
report in 2006 (“Livestock’s Long Shadow”), based on energetic research,
supporting this fact. Knowing that livestock contributes 18% of all greenhouse
gases to our atmosphere, both directly and indirectly, this makes a lot of
sense.
Going local is also an essential, as
it supports surrounding communities and encourages them to continue trading and
circulating their finances locally. One example is 18 Days Coffee Cooperative
in the Philippines which supports Filipino coffee farmers, offers fair prices
and installs roasting machines which allow for a self sufficient coffee
industry within their local Baran gays . Across the globe, such
groups exist, with a focus on sustainability rather than large profits, giving
power to local people and farmers.
Green
is easy
What is Indie Travel?
Armed with all this information, you
are now ready to take on the world in your Tevas, but aware of your impact on
the planet when you travel. We are all responsible for the future of this
planet, and travel allows us to appreciate the importance of this. Empower yourself
and onward ho! See you on the road
(hopefully on a bike).
(hopefully on a bike).
Travels help Web
site: http://greenplanettravelers.globaltravel.com/
Green Planet
Travelers Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/GreenPlanetTravelers/
**Hey There
My Fellow Travelers**
If you been
reading and like what you been seeing then please send me a email at greenplanettravelers@yahoo.com
And I will
put you on my free goody travel list, if you are thinking of going on a
vacation let me know and I will send you a free travel guide.
And this
will put you on my personal travel email list that no one will ever
Get a Hold
of it!
Thank you.
James
Brannon
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