One of the most important things we can do to keep our planet livable and ensure that climate change doesn’t do too much damage is to start living in an environmentally friendly manner. And the easiest way to do this is by doing so on a personal level.
This is particularly important if you’ll be doing some traveling. The good news is that there are a lot of options that are available to you now, thanks to rapidly advancing technology and knowledge.
You don’t necessarily have to spend a small fortune to live in an environmentally friendly way. In fact, living this way saves you considerable sums of money. If you have been thinking of practical ways to reduce your carbon footprint and make your traveling more eco-friendly, the tips in this post will help.
Consider the Best Travel Options
One of the biggest sources of carbon emission is transportation. Some transport modes generate a lot more carbon emissions than others. For instance, the amount of carbon emissions from a 6-9 hour plane trip is about 20 percent of the annual carbon emissions of the average vehicle.
Worse is going on a cruise. One cruise ship company’s fleet of almost 50 ships produces more sulfur oxide than 100 million vehicles do. Therefore, if you can travel by road, this might be the environmentally responsible option.
If there are trains traveling between cities and countries as they have in Europe, that is an even better and eco-friendly option.
Protect Yourself With Eco-Friendly Insect Repellents
This is particularly important if you’ll be exploring nature, hiking some trails, and likely to be exposed to insects. Look for the predominant insects in the area and get some repellents.
For example, if there are mosquitoes, carry and use some mosquito control repellents that are eco-friendly while you’re in the area. This way, you won’t have to suffer any insect bites, and you’ll be protected for the duration of your adventure.
Seek Sustainable Accommodation
More specifically, look for green key accommodations in your travel destinations. These are eco-friendly accommodations that meet about thirteen different requirements.
This way, you know that staying in these places will help with your contribution to fewer carbon emissions. And remember to take electric vehicle taxis if they’re available in your travel destination.
Turn Off Your Appliances Before Traveling
Plugged appliances often contribute an extra $100 to your energy bills every year. This is because even though they are not in use or shut down, the device still consumes part of what is known as phantom power.
As long as that electricity is flowing and available, those devices will keep consuming power, even if in relatively smaller amounts. The best solution, therefore, is to completely unplug your appliances if you’ll be away for a while on your trips.
This way, your home won’t indirectly contribute to the carbon emissions produced by the power generation process.
Concluding Thoughts
These are just some ways you can reduce or minimize your carbon footprint as you seek adventure and enjoy your vacation. While it’s not perfect in the sense that you may not achieve zero carbon footprint, the reality is every bit helps preserve the earth for much longer.
