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The past five years have been marked by record-breaking heat globally. If melting ice causes sea levels to rise by even a few meters, it will wipe out all the beaches in the world. Therefore, travel in the most Earth-friendly way possible to save our planet and also save yourself a considerable amount of money. Here are seven simple ways to have a "green" trip:
1. Limit the use of air conditioning.
This might come as a surprise, but limiting air conditioning use is the number one rule of green tourism. Air conditioners consume a huge amount of electricity, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total energy used in buildings worldwide. Furthermore, the gases used in air conditioning are extremely harmful to the environment.
Therefore, try to find older buildings with high ceilings, ceiling fans, well-ventilated windows, and ideally, a courtyard. When you're in a car, roll down the windows instead of turning on the air conditioner. But if you absolutely must use the air conditioner, try not to set the temperature too low and never leave it running once you've left the room/car.
2. Fly less often.
According to a new study published in the European Geophysical Union's journal Atmospheric Chemistry, the negative impacts of aircraft emissions on global temperatures will triple by 2050. Exhaust fumes from jet engines condense and freeze water particles, causing accumulation and creating a "heat trap" effect that warms the ground. Therefore, while not easy, seriously consider alternatives to air travel, such as trains or trams.
3. Stay at a homestay
Homestays are becoming an increasingly popular and preferred type of accommodation for many travelers. With websites like Couchsurfing.com, Airbnb, and HomeAway, you can easily choose homestays that are fully equipped and meet your needs. Furthermore, staying in a homestay means you don't have to worry about contributing to the environmental impacts of large hotels, such as excessive air conditioning use, food waste, or washing large quantities of laundry.
4. Cooking at home
Cooking your own meals not only saves you money but is also better for the environment than eating out every day. So, visit your local markets or convenience stores to buy fresh ingredients and prepare your own meals. For example, you could make a simple sandwich for lunch, or eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. By doing so, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint (CO2 emissions).2Every person is born with the potential to have a harmful impact on the environment.
5. Use public transportation
Most major cities around the world have a fairly good public transportation system, and traveling by public transport is always cheaper than taking a taxi or renting a private car.
Some people find commuting by public transport too stressful, but in reality, it's both more economical than taking a taxi and simpler than driving. When driving, you have to navigate unfamiliar roads (sometimes even driving on the wrong side of the road), avoid bus lanes, avoid traffic jams at intersections, and steer clear of one-way streets. Furthermore, finding parking is not easy and can be quite expensive.
6. Recycling
If you've made the effort to recycle at home, don't just throw everything in the same trash can simply because you "don't know the recycling system" abroad.
Keep used cans and glass bottles with you until you find a dedicated recycling bin – most large cities have sorting bins everywhere. Before booking your accommodation, check if it offers recycling facilities.
Most importantly, never litter. It shows a lack of awareness and respect, and your trash can also enter the water system and harm marine life.
7. Say no to plastic.
The overuse of plastic is seriously affecting marine life and the entire food chain.
According to calculations, if plastic waste is not reduced, by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic waste than fish. Therefore, when you travel, refuse all plastic items, from straws and plastic bags to disposable cutlery. It's best to bring your own reusable cloth bags, stainless steel cups, or cups that can hold both hot and cold drinks.
