Travel 2020 with a conscious mind.
Travelling has a strange impact on the human mind; it leaves you always craving more. It is a feast for your eyes; you unplug, explore and discover new parts of yourself. This year I challenge you to stop, question and reconsider the way you travel. Reducing your individual carbon footprint is essential for combating climate change.
Ever heard the phrase, actions speak louder than words? It’s easy to say you want to be environmentally friendly but putting those words into action is the hardest part. Here are a few tips to help make your travels a little greener.
1.Refuse single use plastic
Refusing single use plastic is a simple step in the right direction. Purchase a keep cup, stainless steal water bottle and reusable mesh bags. As a motorhome traveller, you can also get creative and use a mesh bag as a hanging fruit bowl. Coconut bowls are a fantastic, sustainable and trendy alternative for bowls. Invest in bamboo cutlery, bonus you can take these on aeroplanes! Get imaginative with your ideas. The hardest part is incorporating them all into your daily life!
2. Buy less
We are exposed to a wonderful, yet scary world of technology, full of constant advertisements that tell us we need more to make us happy. Knowing the difference between ‘wanting’ something and ‘needing’ something is vital for reducing our carbon footprint.
The best thing we can do for our planet is to buy less and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. Buying mindfully is essential. Check out your local thrift shop, buy second hand, support local brands, always ask yourself these 3 questions; do I really need it? Is it a necessary? Can something else make do? Remember ‘things’ don’t define you.
3. Let technology help you be greener
Many of us are fortunate to have luxuries such as a mobile phone or laptop. Why don’t we shift our minds into eco-friendly ways that actually help the environment? Next time you are planning a holiday why not try Ecosia. Ecosia is a search engine that uses the ad revenue from your searches to plant trees where they are needed most. Glooby is another travel search engine that compares prices on eco-labelled hotels and the most sustainable flights. Lets use our resources in a positive way. Our planet will thank us!
4. Consider your travel options
Flying doesn’t come cheap, for your wallet or the planet. Planes produce greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide from burning fuel, which contributes to global warming when released into the atmosphere. If another option is viable, consider other transport methods. Travelling regional? This is a great opportunity to catch a train or bus. Both emit less carbon than planes. Not only will you experience a deeper sense of place, you’ll also decrease your carbon footprint. Once you’ve arrived at your destination hire a bike or use your legs. Your body and the world will love you!
The truth is that sustainable travel is all about making simple choices in order to lessen our negative impact on the environment. Do whatever you can to reduce your impact on nature. We need millions of people making sustainable choices imperfectly.