We are in the wake of an environmental crisis; with UN reports stating that we are at risk of losing a huge 1 million species if we don’t change the way we live. From reducing the number of plastic straws, we use to reusing our shopping bags, there are things that every one of us can do to ensure we don’t add to the negative impact humans can have on the planet. However, it doesn’t have to be a huge change to our lives to be more eco-friendly; even when doing things which may seem inherently harmful such as going on holiday, as there are a number of ways to help the planet whilst travelling the world. Before booking your holiday or travel essentials online, be sure to check out our eco-friendly travel guide below.
Choose Eco-Friendly Flights
Being environmentally friendly and flying half way across the world might seem completely incompatible, with the aviation industry being responsible for around 2% of human-induced CO2 emissions. However, we don’t all have to sacrifice our holidays or spend days travelling by ferry for important business trips; as there are a variety of things that we can do to enjoy more environmentally friendly flights. Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic work towards being more eco-friendly, by funding eco-fuel research, reducing their carbon emissions and even changing the little things such as offering organic food onboard and having a strict recycling programme. In fact, Virgin Atlantic have won many awards over the years for being the most eco-friendly airline!
Other environmentally friendly airlines include KLM Airlines, Delta and United Airlines, who have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint and become as sustainable as possible. Some airports also make the extra effort to be more eco-friendly, such as Birmingham airport which has 200 solar panels installed, carry out regular air monitoring procedures and setting aside alternative land for wildlife when extensions are made. You can book your cheap Birmingham airport parking online with Parking At Airports and save money and the environment at the same time. Booking non stop flights can also help you enjoy a greener break, as taking off and landing produce the most carbon emissions.
Leave the Car at Home When you Can
Everyday travel can often contribute to environmental issues too, with 36% percent of the population driving to work every day. However, with increasing concerns over environmental damage, there has been a huge push over the past few years for people to try to reduce the negative impact they have on the environment in a number of ways from recycling to cycling to work. If possible, cycling or walking to work is a great way of being eco-friendly in your everyday life. Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and get fit and healthy at the same time just by walking to cycling to work and back either every day or a few times a week.
If that’s not possible, then getting public transport or arranging a car share with colleagues is a fantastic way of doing what you can to help the planet. During times when driving is unavoidable such as during your holidays, you can get cheap Bournemouth airport parking online and avoid stressful travel to the airport. The other option of course is to have your friend drop you off and pick you up from the airport, however this both incurs the added cost of pick up/drop off fees as well as adding two car journeys resulting in more pollution.
Make Your Car Journey Greener
Once you’ve booked your airport parking, whether it’s affordable parking in Bristol or cheap Edinburgh airport parking; there are a number of other things you can do whilst packing for your trip to save on fuel and reduce pollution. For example:
- Pack Light: Don’t worry about the extra luggage if you don’t need it. Not only will it be more effort to lug around with you, but it will cost more if you go over your baggage allowance and will require more fuel to transport both by car and plane.
- Leave In Plenty of Time: As well as ensuring you have a stress-free break, leaving plenty of time to drive to the airport means you aren’t rushing – which uses more fuel and is therefore more costly; to you and the environment.
- Check Your Tires: Before you travel, be sure to check that your tires are well inflated. Under-inflated tires require more energy and fuel and therefore are unnecessarily adding to pollution and draining your bank account.
Save the Planet Whilst Travelling the World
As well as choosing environmentally friendly ways to travel, whilst on your exotic getaway there are a variety of things you can do to ensure you help save the planet whilst you explore. Simple things such as taking reusable bags and not using plastic bags to transport your essentials as well as drinking and eating local helps reduce your impact on the environment.
Choose a Green Hotel: Hotels can also choose to be environmentally conscious or not, so seeing which hotels in the area you are travelling to actually take steps to helping the environment is a great way to ensure you aren’t adding to any unnecessary environmental issues. If travelling to the US, you can visit Green Hotels to find hotels which are trying to be more eco-friendly.
Take a Reusable Water Bottle: Simple but ever so important; especially when travelling for a long period of time and in very warm climates. Its vital to stay hydrated, but often access to water consists of having to buy a water bottle at a local market or shop. Get a reusable BPA free water bottle to ensure your water stays fresh and free from chemicals, as well as ensuring you don’t add to the plastic problem in the UK or abroad.
Stick To the Trail: For the nature lover, going on long hikes through beautiful forests, mountain ranges and nature reserves is probably a dream. However, make sure you stick to the trail during your adventures, as they are there for a reason; often to protect plants and wildlife from being trampled.