How To Not Wreck The Earth: Sustainable Travel
By Sam Lee, 2025. Let's talk about our love affair with the planet. We've got full access to Mother Nature's wonders — but with great privilege comes great responsibility, right?
The planet is heating up, and CO2 levels are higher than at any time in the last 800 years. This decade is crunch time. So, how do we make sure our kids and grandkids experience the same natural and cultural treasures?
Enter sustainable travel: the movement that's all about seeing the world without wrecking it. Before I dive into the details, here are three simple sustainable travel guidelines:
Conserve the environment by picking eco-friendly transportation and accommodation options.
Be economically responsible by throwing your dollars at local businesses instead of giant corporations.
Respect local cultures by learning about traditions, customs, and values.
4 Tips for Practicing Sustainable Travel
01—
Embrace Eco & Boutique Hotels and Lodges
Check into places that are all about saving the planet and preserving culture, like eco-lodges or boutique hotels run by local families. These spots usually don't just cut carbon emissions; they also minimize waste, cut down on chemicals, and conserve water. Filtering for "green stays" on booking sites is easier than ever.
02—
Support Local Businesses
Eating at family-owned joints or shopping at local markets? Now you're talking. Sustainable travel isn't just about shrinking your carbon footprint; it's about lifting up local communities. When you crash at locally-owned accommodations or eat at family-run restaurants, your cash goes straight to the people who live there.
Buying handmade crafts from local artisans? Nice. You're putting money back into local families, helping preserve cultural heritage and fair wages.
Community-based tours? Yes, please. They give you a peek into local life while keeping your tourism dollars local. This, in turn, boosts economic resilience.
03—
Choose Eco-Friendly Transport
The most effective way to cut travel emissions is by tackling transportation, which usually accounts for at least 70% of your holiday's carbon footprint.
You can do this by cutting down on travel distance or opting for modes of transport that burn little to no fossil fuels, like walking, cycling, or sailing.
Traveling by train? It produces about six times fewer emissions than flying. Buses? About nine times fewer emissions. In Europe, where many trains (including Eurostar) run on electricity, rail travel can emit up to 10 times less carbon than flying.
What if you need to fly? Decarbonizing air travel is a work in progress with alternative fuels and propulsion methods like electricity and hydrogen. But if you’ve got to fly, aim for flights that emit less carbon dioxide, and then choose more eco-friendly transport once you arrive at your destination.
04—
Engage with Nature Responsibly
This is a biggie. Here are some ideas for engaging with nature responsibly while traveling:
Respect wildlife: Keep your distance and observe from afar. No feeding or touching – it's not a petting zoo. Remember, we're guests in their homes and we need to play nice.
Leave no trace: Whether you're hiking or beach bumming, don't leave a mess. Dispose of trash properly, even biodegradable stuff like fruit peels. Pack out everything you bring in and follow designated trails to avoid damaging ecosystems.
Use eco-friendly products: Pack smart with reusable water bottles, toiletry containers, and bags made from sustainable materials. This cuts down on plastic waste and minimizes your carbon footprint.
Support sustainable tourism: Do your homework before booking tours or activities. Pick options that put conservation over profit and support local families.
Be mindful of energy consumption: Turn off lights and AC when you leave your hotel room. Opt for accommodations that use renewable energy. Small changes, big impact.
Educate yourself and others: Share your eco-friendly travel experiences and encourage others to be responsible travelers.
Remember, every little bit helps. Even small actions can have a big impact on protecting our planet. Let's leave a positive mark on nature, not a trail of destruction.
Did you find this article on sustainable travel practices useful? Pin it for later!
