With an increase in environmental consciousness over recent years, many environmentalists have been drawing attention to the affects of travel on the environment. Air travel, for instance, is now regarded as one of the most environmentally harmful activities, as it releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. However, with increasing attention on the affects of travel on the environment, thereâs also a great deal of focus on how travellers can âgo greenâ with regard to their travel habits. There are now many ways for travellers to decrease – and even offset – their carbon footprint when travelling; and it doesnât require sleeping in a tree house in the middle of a remote forest.
When looking into green holidays, the two biggest things youâll need to consider are your transportation and hotel arrangements. Airplane travel is the most environmentally harmful mode of travel, so first consider if you can take a train or bus to your destination. However, if these arenât an option, there are still ways to lessen your impact on the environment within the realm of air travel. Many airlines operate carbon neutral flight schemes, offering customers the option to partake in such schemes at the time of their ticket purchase. Within such schemes, an airline will calculate the environmental impact of a flight, then offset that impact by investing in programmes that might plant trees or build wind turbines. Of course, such investment means the cost of travel will be higher for anyone who chooses to partake in such a scheme. Even so, the difference in cost is usually not much (anywhere from £10 – £30) and will ultimately make a big difference when it comes to going green with travel.
Choosing an environmentally friendly hotel is another way you can make a difference while you travel â and itâs something you can do by paying attention to just a few hotel attributes. For instance, check to see if potential hotels operate recycling programmes, or if they encourage reduced consumption in any way. For instance, do guests have the option to reuse towels and sheets instead of having them changed every day? Does the hotel utilise energy-efficient lighting or alternative energy sources like solar or wind power? Is it staffed by local employees and does it contribute to the local community in any way? You can even enquire about a hotelâs rating with regard to government standards. For example, if youâre traveling to Boston, Massachusetts, you can ask various Boston hotels whether they are a state certified green property. Asking just a few questions such as these will help you hone in on environmentally friendly hotels, and ultimately help you achieve greener travel.
So, remember that travel can easily be enjoyed with an environmentally conscious attitude. Do your part with regard to green travel, and help ensure the worldâs many destinations can be enjoyed by generations to come.
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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