World Environment Day just passed by. Did you plant your contribution? No worries, if you haven’t. You can still cover up through small things while travelling that conserves the environment and helps you bestow your part. Let us look at some of those in the following sections.
1. Travel by Train: Trains are so much fun to travel. You get to meet so many new people, travel to different stations, make new friends and enjoy long journeys. Adding to this, trains are eco-friendly too. Traveling by rail is 30 percent more efficient than driving and 8 percent more efficient than flying. Also, renewable energy i.e. electricity is used in some, which makes them more energy-efficient. Electric trains are so eco-friendly. You must follow this eco-friendly way of transportation to get your hands on environmental conservation because small changes can bring big change.
- Use Bicycle: Local travel can be done through bicycles. Bicycles do not use any non-renewable energy plus it's so much fun riding a bike at a hill station or a deserted, calm place. It is a kind of health enhancement system too, because cycling improves your cardiovascular arrangement. You may not believe it but riding for just 4 miles may prevent you from releasing 15 pounds of pollutants in the air, which may be generated if you are traveling by car. Cars are so pollution-friendly. 60% of the emissions by car are liberated, only when you start them. So, what are you waiting for? Rent bicycles on your next eco-friendly trip.
3. Avoid plastic bottles: Whenever I hear plastic bottles, an image of an ocean full of plastic or a lot of plastic trash or a beach littered with plastic comes to my mind. Because I have seen such images in real life at many places. Do you really want to be one of those, who throws plastic bottles wherever they want? Please don't be one. For your next trip, get a tin or aluminium bottle as it can be reused plus you may prevent health issues created from plastic bottles like congenital disorders, immune system issues etc.
4. Carpool with friends: Why to travel separately when you can travel together and save fuel and prevent pollution. Little contributions can inspire other people and bring big change. Additionally, travelling together is so much fun on a trip. You can even carpool with your hotel-mates if you are travelling to the same tourist destination around a city. You will get to make new friends, plus you will save the environment.
5. Use public transportation: Tourist destinations are full of varied methods of transportation because they fill the need of their tourists. Take buses, trains, metros wherever possible to make a good use of them and do your part in environment conservation.
6. Walk around to nearby places: Do you know walking increases cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness and saves the environment too? Undoubtedly, this is an added advantage. By walking 30 minutes a day, you can lessen the risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease. So, take a walk and enjoy the view of your tourist site. Walking may take more time but what have you planned your trip for, saving time?
7. Prefer electric vehicles: Many tourist places offer electric taxis and buses. Do use them over fuel cars and taxis because it is a preferred mode for sustainable travelers.
8. Reduce meat consumption: It has been found that the beef industry is a big polluter and reducing the consumption of meat and other chemical products may reduce carbon footprint on Earth. Obviously, this isn't a tip for just trips, but you can adopt it in your daily life and conserve the environment.
9. Unplug your home: When leaving home, check if everything is unplugged because it is illogical to consume energy when you are not really using it. It will not only save energy but also, save your money.
10. Pack lighter: You may not notice this but packing light helps you save fuel for the transportation you are using. Every kilo you pack has an impact on the carbon emissions of your flight; the heavier your plane, the more carbon it produces. Pack only what you require.
So, these were some small ways in which you can help the environment. Do follow them if you want to contribute in saving the Earth.
Additional tip, book hourly hotels because this will reduce the usage of hotel resources like water, electricity etc., which may be a great heads up to environment conservation.