From Guest Blogger Olivia Jones: The Ultimate Guide to Eco-friendly Travel
Some people might ask the question – what is eco-travel anyway? Well, to put it simply, even though vacation is an opportunity to take the time-out when it comes to responsibilities, some of your obligations cannot be avoided – like common decency to fellow human beings and innocent animals and staying mindful about the environment. In most situations, these obligations overlap. Therefore, if you want to keep your carbon footprint down to a minimum at all times, here is the ultimate guide to eco-friendly travel.
Green transportation
If you are thinking about eco-friendly traveling, the first thing that springs to mind is a sensitive mode of transportation. On the one hand, if you are traveling to distant locations you will probably have to use a car or a plane. If you are traveling via car, you can always rent a hybrid that is much more environmentally friendly.
One of the more popular options in this regard are trains, since they have a much lower impact on the environment than other means of transportation, especially if you take into account the sheer distance you can cover.
However, once you arrive at the area you wanted to visit, the best course of action is to “use your own power” – by riding a bike or going on foot. If you count yourself among the environmentally conscious, you can also bring along a small reusable bag and pick up any trash you find along your hike.
In the end, while you are on your hikes, no matter how adorable local wildlife might appear, do not feed them under any circumstances. Feeding these wild animals will make them reliant humans, which can have a devastating effect on the local biosphere in the long run.
Eco-friendly activities
Thankfully, mother Earth has given us with a multitude of amazing and downright breath-taking activities to enjoy without adding to the damaging greenhouse effect. Humanity has evolved in nature and most of the activities we actually find fun have developed before the civilization itself – these activities can be fun for grownups and kids alike. You can spend your holiday sailing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, diving, and this only scratches the surface. I tend to bring reliable Shimano equipment along for any longer bike trip, just to be comfortable about the safety of my children.
Investigating and inspecting interesting locales Indiana Jones style requires only your inquisitive nature and your feet. Additionally, you can spend a lot of time marveling at local landscapes, flora and fauna. When you get back to the city, arm yourself with reusable bags and visit local organic food markets as well as arts and crafts establishments.
Another interesting activity for tourists emerged with the wave of green thinking – short term volunteer opportunities. Some hotels invite guests to help beautify the surroundings by watering trees, pulling weeds and composting. At the first glance, this might sound like your regular work, but it can be really calming and even meditative to use your hands and make a difference for the local environment.
Live as locals do
There is always an option to choose a local green hotel by searching them through accredited certification programs such as Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Green Key, etc. However, this is far from the most eco-conscious and/or interesting way to go about your eco-friendly vacation.
If you are going to leave a minimal footprint wherever you go, try to live like the locals. This is always the best way to empower the local economy and blend in with the environment. Eat at local restaurants — the smaller more casual it is, the better.
Additionally, this way you will get the best chance to eat well. You can also sleep at family-owned bed and breakfasts, browse Airbnb-like websites like or explore pet house sitting options to stay at someone’s place. If you must, use public transport, but the best course of action would be to ask your hosts for directions or use GPS on your phone to get around on foot.
Eco-friendly travel is a relatively new thing, so anyone can be forgiven for thinking it is just another passing fad. However, once you take a closer look at the irreversible changes to the environment humanity has caused on the global scale, the story begins to change. Even though the idea of a vacation is associated with the lack of responsibilities, some obligations you just cannot and should not escape.
Olivia is psychologist and entrepreneur from Brisbane. Mother of two beautiful children and proud owner of two silly boxer dogs. She is passionate writer, a traveler and conscious consumer, seeking healthy and sustainable products to incorporate into the lives of her family. Her motto is “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
