From Guest Blogger Mary Ann: Sustainable Travel

Never at any other time in history has it been this easy to travel half-way around the world at a moment’s notice. In the early 2010s, flying to some of the greatest and most beautiful cities and regions in the world is child’s play indeed. And with rising airline competition (including those budget airlines) flying is becoming cheaper and cheaper. These new developments have opened the world for more and more people to see and enjoy, and it’s a fantastic time to be alive.

However, the increase in air travel around the world is not without its own issues and concerns, especially in relation to how it can impact our environment.

I’m always keenly aware of the current issues facing the environment these days. I love the natural world, and have dedicated one part of my life to understanding, appreciating and protecting it. But we are entering into some turbulent times during the course of the next couple of decades. Coming from Europe, I wanted to get some more insight into the state of sustainable air travel whilst on a recent trip to Australia.

As mentioned above, air travel is on the rise. With significant numbers of new traveling cohorts from newly prosperous nations such as China and India flooding an already popular market, it’s now as important as ever to install sustainable business practices across the airline industry. That is, if we are committed to preserving our environment for future generations to come.

Luckily, some of the biggest players in the Airline industry have already started asking themselves some very important questions in how they can reduce their impact on the environment. And what a welcomed relief! Scores of highly successful and influential companies from the U.S, back in Europe, and even Australia, are putting much of their focus into sustainable travel, and eco-consciousness. Whilst here in Australia I was particularly impressed with the efforts of Virgin Australia over recent years, which I think is worthy of a mention.

Virgin Australia have consistently shown their commitment to the environment and sustainability with their carbon offset program. When launched back in 2007 it was the first government certified airline offset program around the world. And since then many other airlines have followed suit, picking up cues and ideas from the eco-warriors at Virgin. The offset program gives passengers the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions for their flight for a small fee. This allows environment-minded passengers to fly guilt-free on their flights, knowing that they aren’t adding to the already pressing problem of environmental conservation.

In addition to that, they have one of the youngest and fuel-efficient fleets out there, and are deeply committed to improving fuel-efficiency, producing sustainable jet fuels derived from biomass, reducing aircraft weight, and a host of things that will make flying with them both safe, and great for the environment.

But of course: eco-consciousness and the call for more sustainable solutions to our pressing transportation needs doesn’t just stop with air travel. There are many more modes of transport in dire need of an ecological overhaul to further limit our impact on our delicate environment. In the meantime, always opt for public transport if you can. (Trains are one of the most energy efficient modes of transport out there, so jump on a train instead of in your car as often as you can.) The less traffic we have on our roads, the less carbon emissions we let off, and the more we’re able to get where we need to be without wasting countless hours sitting in idling traffic.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend too much time in the land down under. After a brief visit to the spectacular Blue Mountains not far from Sydney, and a trip to sublime Port Douglas it was time for me to head back to the chills of Europe.

But, what I saw, and the people I spoke whilst here did change me. Not just in my new-found appreciation for path-blazing eco-conscious airlines like Virgin Australia (who are simply talking the talk, walking the walk, and have been for the past 9 years). I’ve decided to go Vegetarian to further limit my carbon footprint on this planet (click here to calculate your own carbon footprint). And I’ve also replaced most of what I own (e.g., cosmetics, soaps, clothing) with natural alternatives which contain none of those harsh chemicals that cause so much damage in our oceans, rivers, and forests.

I truly believe that change begins with the individual. We each can do our part, and it’s inspiring to hear that individuals in charge of some of the biggest commercial entities around the world are starting to enact positive environmental change on the way they do their business. Sustainable travel is the future, and the sooner everyone gets onboard this train of sorts, the better of we will all be.

Image credit: http://www.eauc.org.uk, infographic credit: www.four-pillars.co.uk