It's Time for Sustainable Travel

by Margaret DeStefano

1) Plan Slower Adventures: Warpspeed travel has become the norm of the 21st century. When you travel, taking longer trips allows you to savor the journey and truly appreciate the culture of your chosen destinations. 2) Travel Closer To Home: Whether you’re taking a trip to the mountains that run through your home state, going camping in your backyard or staying in a nearby beach house, the places close to your home can be just as beautiful and special as a destination location. Explore your roots, your home, your country. 3) Pack Mindfully: Although it might seem negligible, the heavier you pack your bag, the heavier the plane, the train and the car, which only adds to the fuel needed to make your choice of transportation chug along. Pack minimally and consciously. 4) Clip

Your Wings: Travel by train and revel in the intricacies of the countryside that you would have otherwise missed if you’d opted for a plane. Trains use 50% less fuel than planes, and their carbon emissions aren’t released right into the upper atmosphere like the emissions of planes. 5) Go Plastic Free: Pack reusables, such as insulated water bottles, food containers or hemp tote bags. Please don’t dump your trash in your travel destinations. 6) Choose Local: Funnel your hard-earned travel funds into the small, locally owned hostels, cafes, shops and restaurants. If you really want to go the extra mile, choose eco-friendly companies that use local, organic, ethical products, supplies and food. 7) Shop Carefully: Shop locally, buy handcrafted and be willing to spend extra money on quality products. 8) Respect Animals: Any human behavior that forces animals to behave in opposition to their natural instincts, like riding camels in India, cuddling baby tigers in Thailand, feeding human food to native animals or fishing and hunting for sport, should be avoided at all costs. 9) Give Feedback: Send those difficult emails to hotels, businesses and companies that were not attempting to minimize their carbon footprint, 10) Be Resourceful: Find alternatives to single-use plastics or green-wash in general.