The climate emergency is the biggest crisis humanity is currently facing. Experts and activists around the world warn that the consequences could be irreversible and catastrophic if immediate action is not taken.
However, that doesn’t mean you should despair and forget about ever enjoying yourself again. You might feel guilty taking a sun and relaxation vacation with such an urgent matter at hand, but luckily there are ways to travel in an eco-friendly and sustainable way. Let’s find out more.
Do you have to fly?
Aviation is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, accounting for around 2.4% of all emissions in the world. Activist groups have long called for tighter controls on air traffic, but in a world so reliant on high-speed intercontinental travel, that seems unlikely.
If you want to make your next trip to Europe more environmentally friendly, consider not flying at all. Modern public transport systems mean that much of Europe is now accessible by bus or train, which can be far more environmentally friendly options.
However, if traveling by bus or train isn’t feasible or practical, there are steps you can take to mitigate the harmful effects of air travel. Choose an airline that uses modern planes that emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
If you’re making repeated journeys, it might be worth considering the bus or train to really reduce your carbon footprint. Also, repeated trips can be expensive to insure, it’s definitely worth checking the annual insurance package. Annual insurance can be cheaper than one-off insurance, which will be perfect for those who go on repeated trips where the likelihood of something going wrong can increase.
Stay in a sustainable hotel
As more people become aware of the climate crisis, we are seeing more businesses and companies take steps to go green and adopt more environmentally friendly business practices.
Sustainable hotels strive to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible, they can be the perfect option for those who want an eco-friendly vacation. Energy management is an important aspect that many sustainable hotels focus on. They will often use energy-efficient lighting and implement strategies to generate their own energy.
Moreover, sustainable hotels will take steps to respect the natural world around them. This can include things like picking up trash and designing designated natural areas for plants and animals to flourish.
Play your part
The climate crisis is a global emergency and individual actions may seem insignificant. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, only through collective efforts around the world will we be able to tackle the climate crisis.
This means you have to play your part, no matter how small or insignificant your actions may be. Remember to turn off the water and lights in the hotel room whenever they are not in use. Try to reduce your waste too, avoid buying items in plastic packaging and always recycle wherever possible.
When traveling on vacation, whether it’s to visit a tourist attraction or on your way to a fancy meal, resist the urge to take a taxi. Consider using public transport instead, this can be a far more sustainable approach. If you want to be truly ecological, rent a bike and use it to get around. Just always remember to wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road.
Conclusion
We are all responsible for addressing the climate emergency. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get away on vacation, although you may have to rethink some things to make your vacation eco-friendly.
