Travel is a pleasure and luxury that most Americans enjoy. Yet it can have negative consequences for the environment. You can change that by following these guidelines, which will lower the environmental impact of your travels.
Travel Green
Look for alternatives to driving when practical. Walk or bike to a store or destination. Use public transportation in cities. Try an electric or hybrid rental car. If you do drive, avoid quick acceleration and never speed.
Think local. Choose local produce and local goods to help both the environment and the economy of the place you’re visiting.
Bring reusable items to create as little waste as possible. For example, get reusable containers for things like toothpaste, soap, mouthwash, and other necessities. You can enjoy your favorite green brands and prevent excess waste from disposable, travel size containers. Also bring a water bottle, shopping bags, and a laundry container.
Stay Green
Stay at eco-friendly lodgings. Look for hotels that have certifications like the Green Globe, or are members of the Green Hotels Association, or that tout their eco-friendly practices. For example, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta has received recognition for setting a new standard in eco-friendly lodgings, and Hilton has been leading the way to improve the environmental performance and conserve resources to minimize the environmental impact of its hotels.
Offset Your Footprint
You can do a lot of good while enjoying your travels, whether for work or vacation. Here are a few ways to offset the carbon footprint you leave during your adventures.
- Trade in your car for public transportation at home.
- Eat plant-based meals.
- Plant trees in your community as well as the places you visit.
Basically, offsetting your carbon footprint is making proactive choices for the environment when you can so that it’s a little easier to handle the situations where you can’t.
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