Tips for planning a summer vacation that minimizes your use of natural resources and your emissions of greenhouse gases.
With summertime fast approaching, many of us are starting to think about trips to theme parks, beaches and other vacation destinations. But getaways don't cost only money ... every trip we take carries an environmental price as well.
There are the obvious environmental impacts, of course: the fossil fuels burned and pollution generated by the planes we fly or the cars we drive. But there are less obvious effects as well: the souvenirs made not locally but imported -- at a great use of fuel energy -- from the other side of the globe; the snacks and drinks we buy on the road, with the resulting trash they generate; the additional resources we consume simply by virtue of being someplace other than home, while we continue to heat, cool or power our homes as well.
So how can you minimize your impact on the planet and still enjoy a summer vacation? Consider these possibilities:
Take a home-based vacation. If you're in or near a major metropolitan area or tourist town, chances are there are nearby attractions you haven't yet seen, or haven't visited in years. So take the subway or L train downtown to visit the newest exhibits at the art and science museums, aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens and city parks, or mark your calendar for special events like art shows, food-and-music festivals, book readings and more.
Stick to destinations within a 100- or 150-mile radius. There are probably more attractions than you realize within a couple of hours' drive of your home, and choosing these over more far-flung vacation spots will help minimize your greenhouse gas emissions along the way. You might even consider renting a newer, more fuel-efficient vehicle for the trip, which will cost you a bit more but will reduce your carbon footprint even further.
If you choose a more distant vacation spot, pick the most environmentally friendly means of getting there. Planes emit the most carbon dioxide per traveler by far, followed by cars, then trains and then, finally, coach buses. That means if you can find a comfortable way of reaching your destination by bus or train instead of car or plane, try to do so.
Go with the greenest lodging you can find. Check online resources like The Green Hotels Association or Environmentally Friendly Hotels to find hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts or condos that have made it a mission to conserve resources and reduce waste.
Minimize your waste wherever possible. Set your thermostat at home to the warmest setting possible (not too high, though, if you're leaving pets at home to be cared for by a pet-sitter) and unplug appliances and computers. Take along refillable drink bottles and cloth napkins instead of buying disposable sodas (which aren't healthy anyway) and using paper napkins on the road. Pack your own toiletries and bath supplies instead of using up all those mini-bottles of hotel shampoo, conditioner and lotion.
Return home with the things that matter. Instead of buying junky souvenirs and t-shirts that were probably manufactured thousands of miles from your vacation destination, seek out sustainable souvenirs that directly benefit the communities you visit: locally produced honey or hot sauce, crafts or jewelry made by local artisans, goods that support local green organizations or environmental groups and, of course, photos (digital are best: no developing costs, no wasted film).
Happy traveling!
The copyright of the article The Eco-Friendly Vacation in Green/Simple Living is owned by Shirley Siluk Gregory. Permission to republish The Eco-Friendly Vacation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
