How to Travel Green

by Ethan David
(Philippines)

More and more people are starting to realize that we should be taking notice of the extensive damage that is happening to our environment!.

Global warming is the "apparent" cause of several natural disasters that have happened recently, such as monster hurricanes, snow storms, flooding, excessive rain and many others.

Although global warming would seem inevitable, as it results from all the toxic waste that we humans dump irresponsibly upon the environment, every little thing we do to slow it down will still help.

We should ALL make lifestyle changes in order to make as little impact as possible on the environment, and this includes traveling.

Green Living & travel is not just about backpacking holidays and going through the routes less traveled by the common tourist. It is also about thinking about your trip on the whole and considering your responsibility to the Earth’s natural resources and the indigenous culture of the places you will be visiting.

Planning a Green Vacation will start with how you intend to get to your destination. Taking public transportation may be a little inconvenient, but it is cheaper.

If your travel destination cannot be reached by public transportation then taking an airplane will be necessary, pick out direct flights as they emit less carbon compared to those which make stopovers. Remember also to take public transportation or to carpool with friends when going to the airport.

Instead of eating airplane food during the flight, it is advisable for you to just bring a packed meal and your own reusable water bottle. That is because airplane food trays contribute to a significant number of waste products.

You can still book yourself in hotels if you want to travel green. So there is no need to fear about living in treehouses or huts!, when that is not the kind of accommodation you would prefer.

There are many Green Hotels to choose from, which you can find in various websites all over the internet. To choose a green hotel, you may have to find out how they impact the environment and local culture. Do they use or have a policy about Solar Energy ?.Is it owned locally and staffed by locals?. How do they manage their waste, do they Recycle ?. Are the guests encouraged to reuse their towels? How do they contribute to local communities?.

During your stay, there are several things you can do to Think Green . They are not drastic lifestyle changes, but more like being conscious of what you are doing while staying there. You must keep your showers short, so as not to waste water.

When you leave your hotel room, make sure all the lights and appliances are turned off. There is also no harm in reusing your towels, as long as you keep them hanging on their racks after using them. Bringing your own toiletries is also good, to make less waste.

Needless to say, it is better to walk, cycle or take public transportation when going around the area. If you have to drive, then rent the smallest car possible or Hybrid Cars .Not only will you have less impact on the environment, but you will also save on gas!.

Just with a little extra consideration & planning, you can still have a wonderful holiday with memories to last a lifetime without hurting the planet!.