Because being an eco-friendly traveler brings choices, here are 10 handy tips to improve the ecological situation at our level.
1. Take public transport
When traveling, try to choose a more eco-friendly mode of transport that emits as little CO2 as possible because it is very damaging in huge quantities.
The train is one of the most ecological transportation means.
Another alternative is to opt for carpooling! In addition to protecting the environment, carpooling allows you to save money and travel in a friendly atmosphere.
2. Walking
Sometimes it is not necessary to use transport to move around. Walking is not only good for the planet, but it is also extremely beneficial for health.
Some of the benefits of walking: better oxygenation of the brain, stress reduction, and endorphin secretion leading to a well-being feeling.
So why not walk? The travel time is certainly extended, but for a few extra minutes, it will be so much more beneficial.
3. Riding a bike
For sustainable urban mobility, there is one that almost all of us have already used: the bicycle! Â
It’s one of my favorite means of transport. The advantages of cycling are numerous: it allows to avoid traffic jams, to ride closer to nature, to get some exercise, to not have to look for a place to park the car, and naturally to protect the planet.
Cycling can therefore be an alternative to driving.
4. Opt for a water bottle
It is important to stay well hydrated, especially when traveling. In transport, dehydration is more common with air conditioning or heating.
The best way to always have water with you is to get a water bottle that you can fill wherever you are using drinking water points, fountains… (You should never fill a plastic bottle already used… otherwise hello bacteria).
The water bottle is not only hygienic and economical but also environmentally friendly as it reduces plastic waste.
5. Limit waste
As with plastic bottles (which can be replaced by water bottles), it is important to adjust daily habits in order to reduce the amount of waste.
For example, when traveling, you can opt for organic solid soaps with reusable cases, which have the advantage of being more economical and containing natural ingredients.
Don’t forget to take your reusable cloth bag with you (very useful when shopping!). This avoids single-use plastic bags.
6. Throw garbage in the trash
It sounds logical and fair, right? Unfortunately, I have often found garbage and cigarette butts in beautiful landscapes during my hikes in France.
I even had the bad surprise to discover a wild dump in the middle of nature. This waste has consequences for the planet and constitutes a real threat to the fauna and flora.
At our scale we can sensitize our entourage and the youngest on the environmental impact of waste.
7. Eat organic and local
It’s preferable to choose healthy restaurants with fresh products that are not subject to transportation and that respect the seasons.
In addition to caring for the environment, eating locally also helps to avoid bad indigestion due to processed foods. And while traveling it allows us to support the local economy.
The best thing to do is to note down a few addresses ahead of time to ensure that you won’t be tempted by the local fast-food restaurant because of hunger.
8. Respect the marked paths when hikingÂ
On a trip, what better way to discover beautiful and varied natural landscapes than by hiking? It is important to protect nature and preserve it so we can all enjoy it!
Therefore, we have to respect the hiking trails because they are fragile environments where vulnerable species live.
Depending on the country of travel, the tourist office of the city can provide maps with the stages of the hiking trail, which is very practical because it prevents from getting lost.
9. Use an ocean friendly sunscreen
In winter as in summer, it’s essential to protect yourself from the sun that can be harmful to your health. In addition to hats, which are very practical, you can also protect yourself with sun cream.
However, some of them are not respectful of the environment and are damaging the oceans by causing the disappearance of corals…
The solution is to select organic sunscreens (avoiding greenwashing) with ingredients containing natural products and without any chemicals.Â
10. Avoid damaging tourist activities
Last but not least, avoid tourist places and activities that could negatively affect the environment. Mass tourism increases the negative effects on wildlife and the planet.
Moreover, in places with a lot of tourists, you can see the increase in traffic jams, pollution, and waste.
Unfortunately for some people, travel is not synonymous with cultural exchange, open-mindedness, and discovery but with entertainment. Often animals are the victims because they are overexploited and even threatened with extinction.
There are many other gestures and actions that are favorable for the environment but I focused on the first 10 that I care about.
And you, what are your tips to protect nature?