TRAVELLING LIGHT

Free flight takes us to some of the world’s most beautiful and unspoilt landscapes. But getting to – and sometimes even just visiting – them can put their very existence in peril. Climate change, overtourism, plastic pollution, littering and overdevelopment are all part of the problem.

Certainly, chasing the flying season around the world from Europe to Brazil to India to Australia and back again will send your carbon footprint rocketing – so what to do about it?

When it comes to travel, flying has by far the largest impact. The aviation industry currently contributes around 2% of emissions globally. According to Atmosfair, a return flight from London to Munich, for example, generates around 176kg of CO 2 , while a round-trip to New Delhi will release 1,181kg of CO 2 into the atmosphere – that’s far more carbon than many people in the world emit in a year.

The obvious tip, then, is to fly less. Limiting your trips abroad and making more use of your local sites, or those further afield that you can reach by rail or road, will make a massive dent in your carbon footprint. And when you do fly, fly economy, pack light (it all makes a difference) – and consider paying into a carbon offset scheme. These vary in price and quality, so do some careful research, but service providers include Atmosfair (atmosfair.de.en), Climate Care (climatecare.org) and Flygreen (flygrn.com). When travelling to and from the airport, opt for a train or bus.

You should also consider the impact your visit will have on your destination – and those who live there. According to the latest figures from the World Tourism Organisation, tourist arrivals grew to 1.322 billion in 2017. That’s a whole lot of travellers – and many locations are buckling under the pressure. Paragliding hotspot Chamonix, in the shadow of Mont Blanc, for example, has some of the worst air pollution in France. Hardly a surprise given that five million tourists visit every year and it’s on the direct route for thousands of trucks a day travelling between Italy and France.

With this in mind, always consider whether you might be part of the problem. Avoid locations that are already struggling to accommodate the crowds, opt to stay in an eco-friendly hotel, travel around responsibly (sharing a ride with others reduces pollution and congestion), and shop with the environment in mind.

Waste plastic has become a catastrophic issue globally (approximately one million plastic bottles are bought every minute), so avoid plastic bags, bottles, straws and other – particularly single use – items wherever possible. Where there’s a safe source of fresh water, use a refillable bottle. And when you do have to throw something away, do it responsibly. Just because there isn’t a bin on the top of a mountain doesn’t mean it’s OK to litter.

When eating out, opt for restaurants that cater to locals. Apart from being more likely to use local produce and support local workers, they’ll be easier on your credit card, too. And when celebrating with a beer at the end of your flight, order the local brand. In many cases, you may dodge the carbon cost of shipping an imported label halfway round the planet.

In many parts of the world, haggling is expected. But consider carefully how hard to push the price down. A little extra for you may be a lot more for the local you are haggling with. While you’re abroad, also consider how else you can give back to the community you’re staying in, perhaps by volunteering.

Back at your hotel or apartment, follow the same rules you likely do at home. Don’t leave electrical devices on standby, avoid air-conditioning where possible and request that your sheets and towels aren’t replaced every day. You don’t change your own sheets after one night, so why insist on it abroad? Water is a valuable resource in many paragliding destinations, so keep an eye on the amount you use.

It’s even worth considering the impact your sun screen could have on the environment. Don’t risk burning yourself, but some contain harmful chemicals, such as oxybenzone, that can wash off into natural waterways, harming local species. If you’re feeling keen, do a little homework and ensure your product is safe.

Overall, keep in mind that when tourists visit a destination, the landscape changes to accommodate them. Roads and cable cars are built, hotels appear and green spaces vanish. Tourism can bring huge economic benefits for many parts of the world, but it can also cause damage. Think about how your visit may tip the balance. None of us can fix the climate crisis alone, but we can make an effort to play our part and keep paragliding beautiful.

Matt Warren