TRAVEL
Sustainably
Wheels Up Eco-Warriors! 10 ways to travel sustainably BY LAUREN SMITH, FOUNDER SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL & LIVING
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You’re here because you’re environmentally conscious… and, if you’re anything like us, after a year of lockdown, ready to hit the road. When the bags are packed, tanks filled, and tray tables in their upright positions, here’s how to take those green-minded practices wherever you go.
OK, I’M READY TO GET ON BOARD… BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL? “Sustainable” accounts for economic, social, and environmental impact together. For travel, this means visiting in a way that not only promotes lasting tourism (a major industry for most economies, supporting 1 in 10 jobs worldwide) but also preserves the sites, environments, wildlife, people, cultures, and heritage we’ve come to experience. And with (pre-COVID!) 1.4 billion of us traveling each year, your small choices can make a big impact. THE JOURNEY STARTS BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE All things sustainable typically take a little planning and prep. For travel, it’s being mindful about where and when
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you go, what you do there and what you bring as the first step: 1. Pack light. Bring only the best-case essentials and what you need to feel comfortable, but don’t overdo it. You can always pick up items along the way, and of course, you have to leave room for mementos and souvenirs! Take tags off new clothes and packaging off any new items so you’re not bringing or leaving extra waste. Choose made-from-recycled products that take less energy to produce and reuse resources. 2. Do your research. Planning? Consider non-peak travel times and off-the-beaten-path places. Book hotels with green practices and airlines who already carbon offset. Going with a travel company?
