School’s out, the weather’s great, and the time’s right for an escape from the ordinary. Traveling may offer us a reprieve from our day-to-day responsibilities, but there’s one duty in particular that continues to command attention even when we're away from the office: our commitment to the planet.
Transportation is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions, with air travel being the biggest culprit. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, one vacation can emit carbon equivalent to a year’s worth of commuting to work. Greening your vacation isn’t only about where you go and how you get there; it’s also about what you do. Are you quick to eschew energy saving practices because the hotel is footing the bill? Do you reach for bottled water instead of your trusty Klean Kanteen? By staying in the mindset of consuming less, you’ll save money and the planet, and you’ll still enjoy your trip to the fullest.
This year, keep in mind these 9 eco-chic tips every traveler should know about, and have a guilt-free vacation.
Hit the Rails.
Train travel is a great way to get in touch with the motherland while keeping carbon emissions in check. Amtrak offers rail passes good for unlimited travel anywhere in the United States. Many lines have an observation car walled with windows, so you can watch America’s landscape roll by (and not cause a traffic accident by rubbernecking). Terra-cotta deserts, crystal-blue mountain waters tucked in pine forests, and the jagged Rocky Mountains are some of the many highlights from Amtrak’s California Zephyr Line, which travels between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area. Check out the New York Times multimedia series, “Voices of the Rails,” in which travelers muse on the adventure, spontaneity, and quirkiness of modern-day rail travel.
Cut Carbs.
The low price of gasoline has put road trips back on the table for many. In fact, mile-for-mile, road travel is actually less polluting than air travel. According to TerraPass, a family of four traveling from New York City to Los Angeles would actually save 20,460 tons of CO2 by driving in a gas-guzzling Ford Explorer rather than flying. Who knew?
Whether your road trip is short or long, try using a fuel-efficiency calculator to keep track of your mileage—and ditch that lead foot for good. The savings won’t stop after your trip is over either. Drivers using the cool, new Fuel Efficiency Adviser gadget can reduce gas costs by 33%, eliminating nearly 20 pounds of CO2 emitted per gallon of gas used. These improvements are due to smarter driving, such as accelerating smoothly, maintaining a constant speed, not exceeding the speed limit and coasting as often as possible.
If your travels take you to an exotic far-flung destination, purchase a carbon offset from TerraPass to make up for your air time.
Take a Staycation.
This term swept the nation last spring with record-high gas prices at the beginning of the summer travel season. It’s a new year and gas prices are back down, but with high unemployment and a still-shaky economy, the staycation is as relevant – and green – as ever. And really, there’s no better way to get to know the lay-‘a-the-land than by checking out what’s right under your nose. Many hidden gems are likely within a day’s drive of your home: think parks, museums, organic farms, rivers, lakes, and amusement parks. Day-trippers have the added benefit of not needing to pay for pricey hotels, and families don’t have to endure hours of “are we there yet?” coming from antsy children. Pack up a picnic basket with reusable utensils and dinnerware, and, of course, a reusable water bottle. Sample fresh produce and foods from farm stands or small markets you may pass along the way; explore taste regional flavors and skip over-packaged, unhealthy fast food.
WWOOF It
Agrotourism is taking off as a unique and budget-friendly way to visit a new place and give back to the planet. WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. You can volunteer to work on organic farms all across the globe in exchange for room and board.
Pack Some Juice.
A solar backpack allows you to charge your cell phone or PDA as you walk around and explore the sites. Energy from the sun is waste-free, and it’s an especially good option if you’ll be camping or spending a lot of time outdoors away from an outlet.
Green Your Hotel Stay.
Major hotel chains are making efforts to green their operations, meaning you won’t have to pay a pretty penny to stay at a boutique hotel. Search SustainLane for eco-friendly lodging in your destination city. To green your hotel stay, ask staff not to change your linens every day, which saves on both water and energy. The Hilton Hotel Corporation, for example, estimates that it saves 12 million gallons of water each month simply by guests choosing not to have their linens replaced daily. Remember that haste makes waste: even if you’re rushing out to your next activity, make sure all the lights and air conditioner are off when you leave your room. Just because you're not paying by the kilowatt doesn't mean you can let your green conscience go out the window.
Be Block Smart.
According to a recent article in National Geographic, the chemicals in swimmers’ sunscreen may be damaging coral reefs. And while sunscreen is intended to reduce the risk of melanoma, its ingredients may increase the risk of other health issues. Sunscreen is still a very important part of sun-safe fun, so slather it on, but choose wisely. Sustainlaners have reviewed these sunblocks.
Don’t buy junk.
Take plenty of pictures on a digital camera and gift framed enlargements to friends and family. They’ll likely enjoy an expertly composed picture of a scenic land or cityscape more than a generic plastic snow globe or key chain (which will likely find its way quickly to a junk drawer or worse, a landfill). If you’re buying souvenirs, buy local treats, like artwork from a local artist or regional candies.
Turn Off Before Dropping Out.
Regardless of what vacation—or staycation—you take, here’s one thing everyone can do to green the summer holiday season: Unplug appliances. Even when electronics are off, they still draw electricity. All of those clocks, computers, DVD players and cable boxes plugged into your home will end up adding to your energy bill when you’re away. Also, turn down the temperature on your water heater to save on gas, and place a hold on your newspaper subscription to save paper.
