Before venturing out this summer on your fun-filled vacation, take a look at these eco-friendly vacationing tips that will help reduce your environmental impact.
Before venturing out this summer on your fun-filled vacation, take a look at these eco-friendly vacationing tips that will help reduce your environmental impact.
Use alternative forms of transportation—Once you’ve arrived at your destination it makes good ecological sense to take advantage of alternative modes of transportation. Public transit in many cities is easy to navigate, cost little money, and will help reduce your carbon footprint. Rent some bicycles for the day to get to get a scenic view of the city, not to mention plenty of exercise! Walking tours are a great way to take in the sights—you’ll be able to access more areas of the city and won’t have to worry about parking.
Buy local products—Souvenirs help us remember the special places we’ve seen and visited. As a way to reduce your environmental impact, seek out sustainable souvenirs that directly benefit the community you’re visiting. Purchase locally grown nuts or coffee beans, or buy jewelry made by local artisans instead of buying a t-shirt that was probably manufactured thousands of miles away.
Use water sparingly—As Americans, we may take the availability of fresh, clean water for granted. However, in other countries, clean water may be hard to come by and is considered a precious resource. Often times, tourists consume more water than the locals and far more than what’s necessary. Take shorter showers, turn off the water when you’re not using it, and think of water as a precious commodity.
Stay in eco-friendly accommodations— A great way to help the environment is to stay at resorts or hotels that care about their impact. An increasing number of lodgings now provide earth-friendly accommodations for their guests. Some of the features you should look out for are water conservation (not changing linens on a daily basis), recycling facilities, earth-friendly cleaners, low-flow toilets, and motion-activated lights.
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