10 ways to become an eco-conscious traveler
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Here’s an eye-opener for all of us who love to travel: Our duty to take care of the environment doesn’t go on vacation when we do. It’s definitely a stretch – vacations should be spent enjoying, relaxing, and not worrying whether you’re destroying the environment or not. But the truth is that an average traveler emits as much as 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, this is according to eco website, myclimate.org.
There are many reasons why travelers come-up with the number: Burning of fossil fuel during airplane travels and car drives, a full-blast airconditioner or sleeping with the lights on without any regard for electricity consumption – the list can go on.
The bottomline is that being aware of one’s carbon footprint when going on trips is indeed a factor in the long run if we’re serious about the environment.
Today, there are actually websites which offer an ‘offset fee’ for the amount of carbon dioxide produced during travels. It works by giving travelers a choice to pay a certain amount as ‘penalty’ for emitting noxious fumes during trips. The whole process is voluntary, but the money is used for a number of environmental causes such as tree planting activities or recycling campaigns.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here and spoil our vacation. There are many ways to be eco-conscious without sacrificing a holiday, or even shelling a fee. And it can actually be very easy – just consider the following suggestions:
1. Take public transport
Taking public transport such as buses or trains when going around a tourist destination lessens your carbon footprint compared to bringing your own vehicle. Not only that, this experience is also a good way to immerse yourself in the culture of the place.
2. Walk or bike
Walking or biking are not only good for the body but also for the environment (and to better explore a new place).
3. Cut down on bubble baths
A long luxurious dip in the bathtub is indeed heavenly, but imagine a hotel with 261 rooms, all of which have guests using the tub around twice a day – do you know how much water is wasted? Apparently a lot.
So consider taking quick showers instead and spend more time exploring your destination.
4. Turn off the A/C and lights when going out
Let’s not waste too much energy and just do the practical thing of turning off electricity when not in use. 6. Re-use bath towels
Have you encountered the sign that says laundering one set of towels in a hotel requires around 16 gallons of water? That’s how much water is wasted when you throw a still clean towel on the floor, not to mention all the chemicals used in laundry soaps and you got yourself an environmental nightmare. So have a heart and re-use a perfectly good set of bathrobes.
7. Bring a handy cloth bag with you wherever you go
Cloth bags are stylish way to keep personal trash during travels, and they can come in handy when buying pasalubong instead of using plastic bags.
And when you go shopping, support local goods instead of buying massproduced goods. This not only supports local community, but they are most likely made using local materials.
8. Make use of organic and Earth-friendly travel gear
Going to the beach? Why not use a Lagu Beach Blanket instead of the usual picnic blanket? Lagu, made locally, is sand-repellant thanks to its special weave of fiber. This avoids sand erosion – a growing global problem where shorelines actually diminish because of rapid urban development and climate change.
9. Get involved in activities that leave less carbon footprint
Love to jet ski? How about paddle boating instead?
Try to be involved with fun activities that don’t require motorized vehicles as these can affect seabeds and coral reefs. When going up mountains, instead of taking a 4x4 ATV, why not bike instead?
10. Support hotels and resorts with a conscious effort in taking care of the environment
Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort in Palawan, for example, has partnered with the World Wide Fund to ensure that they promote eco-conscious travels. Not only does the resort make do without motorized beach activities, they also encourage guests to donate to WWF so they can sustain the surrounding mangrove forest.
Pico Sands Hotel in Batangas makes a conscious effort to promote the natural environment of Olive Ridley turtles which use their beachfront as a place to lay their eggs.
Remember that all the effort in preserving the environment is not only for you, but also for future generations, as well. To help with your effort, always remember this: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.”