Okay, so today I’m gonna yap about something I’ve been digging into lately: Green travel trends. It’s all about trying to travel without, you know, totally trashing the planet.
First off, I started by just Googling around. I mean, where else do you start, right? I was looking for easy ways to make my trips a bit less awful for the environment. Things like “eco-friendly travel tips” and “sustainable tourism” were my keywords. I quickly found a bunch of lists – you know, the usual stuff about packing light, using reusable water bottles, and saying no to single-use plastics. Obvious, but a good reminder.
Then I started thinking about my actual travel choices. I usually just book the cheapest flights ’cause, well, who doesn’t? But I learned that flying is a HUGE carbon emitter. Like, seriously bad. So, I looked into alternatives. Train travel came up a lot. I checked out some routes for a trip I’m planning to see my cousin. It’s gonna take way longer, but the carbon footprint is supposedly a lot smaller. Still figuring that one out. Price is a big factor, gotta be honest.
After that, I dove into the whole accommodation thing. I always just grab whatever hotel is cheapest on those booking sites. But apparently, there are hotels that are actually trying to be green – using solar panels, reducing water waste, and all that jazz. I spent some time on a few “green hotel” directories and found a couple of places that looked decent in the areas I usually visit. They’re usually a bit pricier, but I’m thinking maybe I can swing it for a shorter trip.
Another thing I looked at was local experiences. Instead of going for the massive tourist traps, I started searching for local guides and tours that focus on preserving the environment or supporting local communities. Found a cool-looking hiking tour that’s all about learning about the local flora and fauna. Seems way more interesting than just snapping selfies at some overcrowded landmark.
Then I started getting into the nitty-gritty of packing. I already mentioned the reusable water bottle, but I also swapped out my travel-sized toiletries for solid versions – shampoo bars, conditioner bars, all that stuff. Less plastic waste, and they’re easier to pack. Win-win! Also, I’m trying to buy clothes made from sustainable materials. It’s a work in progress, for sure.
Finally, I started tracking my carbon footprint. There are a bunch of websites and apps that let you calculate the impact of your travel choices. It’s a bit depressing to see how much I’m contributing to the problem, but it’s also motivating me to make better choices in the future. I’m not gonna lie, it’s not easy. But every little bit helps, right?
So, yeah, that’s pretty much where I’m at with my green travel journey. It’s a learning process, and I’m still figuring things out. But I’m making an effort to be more mindful of my impact when I travel.
- Use reusable water bottles
- Trying Train Travel
- Book green hotels
