WE are the world : Traveling ‘green’

By MzTravelDiva ⋅ April 20, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

As Earth Day approaches this Tuesday, it’s a great opportunity to take some time to become more aware about our global environment…and how our actions can save or destroy it. The fossil fuels we use to heat and cool our homes, propel our vehicles and power our appliances are releasing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat near the Earth’s surface. I won’t even get into the issues caused by plastic…

Last month I participated in the Earth Hour initiative, which called for people and businesses around the world to cut their power for just one hour. Although this was a short and simple action, it felt amazing to be apart of movement that was taking action toward helping our environment. Like Earth Hour, Earth Day is not meant to be a one-time acknowledgment of environmental issues, but a catalyst to provoke thought and spark change in our everyday habits.

Antartica

Lately, we’ve been hearing the buzz phrase “go green“, which pretty much means seeking more environmentally friendly alternatives to daily activities. You’ll find that the smallest changes can make some of the biggest impact. Cheré Takes on the World highlights some great tips to making your life more green and other initiatives to take part in.

As travelers, it’s essential that we take steps to help protect and preserve the world that we so deeply seek to experience. So many precious destinations across the globe have begun to deteriorate due to changes in the environment. The travel section of MSN’s website features a slideshow on Endangered Destinations such as the Florida Everglades, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro. A friend also recommended a book entitled ‘Disappearing Destinations: 37 Places in Peril and What Can Be Done to Help Save Them‘. Both the slideshow and book highlight how countries are being threatened by increasing temperatures and rising sea levels.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: The first image was taken prior to 1998, the second in 2005.
All of the glaciers of Kilimanjaro could be gone by 2020. source: msn

Unfortunately, some components of travel, especially international travel, will have a negative impact on the environment, regardless. From the fuel used by planes, trains, ships and cars to the packaging used for toiletries, food, and water, its hard to completely avoid these pollutants. However, making a few, habitual changes during our travel experiences, can go a long way in helping shield dear planet earth from environmental devastation.














Here are a few tips on how to “go green” when traveling:

Planning your trip…
- Use electronic ticketing.
- Avoid renting a car, use public transportation if adequate. Share taxis and opt for walking tours instead of bus tours.
- If renting is a must, choose mileage efficient or hybrid cars.
- Reduce trip paperwork. Carry only important documents, and use a journal to log other information.

Packing…
- Bring a regular or digital camera instead of a disposable.
- Pack a reusable water bottle. This prevents using more plastic bottles and cups.
- Instead of buying travel-size toiletries, Diva in a carry on shows a unique way to make refillable bottles of products that you already have.
- Reusable bag it! I saw this great Flip and Tumble bag on Fly. Although it’s designed for groceries, it can be transformed into a ball and carried along in a purse…which could be great when souvenir shopping. Cuts back on the plastic!

What to do at home before you leave…
- Turn A/C off or adjust to lower setting.
- Unplug appliances such as TVs, microwaves, radios. Even in off mode these appliances can draw up to 40 watts per hour.
- Temporarily stop newspaper service.

During your hotel stay…
- Do you change your linen and towels everyday at home? If not, you don’t need to away from home. If you feel you must have a fresh face towel daily, bring a few of your own. You’re going to have to do laundry when you return anyway.
- Turn off the lights, AC, and TV whenever you leave your room. Energy is energy, whether you’re home or thousands of miles away.
- Look for any recycling areas located in the hotel and participate!
- Don’t take the little shampoos and lotions with you.
I’m so guilty of this. I bring these home, and never use them. They just end up in a pile underneath my bathroom sink. I used to think I’d use them for the next trip, but I don’t…I just end up getting more at the next hotel! I pledge to stop this addiction. Think about it… if you leave the bottles behind (and the next guest does the same), less bottles will need to be restocked, thus less plastic and paper eventually used!

Be an environmentally-friendly tourist…
- When traveling to a seashore, do not disrupt local life forms such as corals, seashells or starfish. I’m sure they’re happy where they are, so leave them there and just take a picture.
- Support the local culture that you are visiting. You can do this by buying local products instead of imported goods, hiring a local guide, and dining at a local restaurant. Activities like these help sustain and replenish the community’s economic base and gives the travel the opportunity to experience the area’s unique identity.

Not to sound cliche, but we ARE the world. In order for us to continue to have thriving and fulfilling lives on this earth, it is each person’s responsibility to ensure that our natural environment, as well as the animals that share it with us, will be able to sustain for years to come; so that future generations will have the chance to experience the beautiful places on this planet that we’ve come to take for granted everyday.

My challenge to you, JetSet Community, is to continue to seek awareness and take part in this global movement to literally change the world. You’ll be amazed how rewarding it feels. If you’re already doing your part, please share with us some of your ‘earth-saving’ travel tips!

Coming soon…a look at eco-tourism.