SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL: WAYS OF TRANSPORTATION
While traveling, your transportation most definitely has the biggest impact on the environment. We understand that all our offered destinations can only be reached by plane for the most of you. This is why we would like to tell you how to keep your impact as low as possible during your journeys.
Before we start, here is just a quick reassurance for those of you who are already feeling guilty about their flying habits: Traveling via ship would even be worse. Actually, shipping is one of the world’s most polluting industries.
AIRPLANE
Having said that flying is still really bad for the environment. There is an easy statement to keep in mind: The farther away, the longer your stay. Also, there are ways how you can compensate for your flights. Foundations like “atmosfair” and “myclimate” offer projects that have different ways to reduce greenhouse gases, for example by supporting renewable, sustainable energy sources. Every compensation helps them save the environment.
As every start and landing of a plane leads to more emissions than flying in midair, it is far better to book a non-stop flight. If you plan to visit multiple locations at your travel destination, don’t take a plane from city to city. Most places have some sort of either overland buses or trains, both options are far better than flights. Plus, you get to see beautiful landscapes.
BUS AND TRAIN
Buses and trains don’t just take you from one city to another. They also help you to get through just one city. Plenty of places offer some special tickets, like a day-ticket, where you have to pay just once but you can take as many bus or train rides as you like during that day. Do some research online before you are heading to your dream destination. Or ask your local hosts, they most likely have a better understanding of their bus and train systems.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES
If you are headed to a destination where there aren’t any buses or trains, there are probably still some bicycles that you can rent.
Actually, the slower your transportation, the better for the environment.
Walking, hiking, bicycling, canoeing and more. There are so many ways to get moving. You are experiencing nature up close while doing so. Just take your time, relax and take in the sights.
If bicycles or pedelecs aren’t available, consider talking to your host about some sort of carsharing. Maybe there are other travelers or locals who want to go to the same destination, so you can easily share a car. One car with multiple people in it is still way better than multiple cars with just one person in them.
There are so many things you can do in order to reduce your impact on the environment. Awareness is the first step towards change. Just don’t fly aimlessly around the world. Look for eco-friendly alternatives.
By Sophie Fritzen