It’s hard enough to tread lightly on the earth’s surface when you’re at home, but it can be easier than you think to carry your green values along for your travels. Sometimes, going local is the simplest (and often most rewarding) way to bump up your green travel as soon as you step off your flight.
But what does “going local” mean? In short, it means doing and experiencing things that are unique to a location. Acting locally cuts down on your eco-impact by reducing fuel for shipping, materials for packaging, and chemicals for preservation (especially for foods shipped from far away). But there’s another reward here – letting go of those things that aren’t locally sourced will not only help the environment, but will also give you a more authentic look into what makes your destination so special. You can do this at home too, but it’s important to remember on the go, to make sure your green travel stays up to snuff.
Staying local is easier than you think. Little things go a long way. For starters, pick a local tour guide. This person will know better how to treat the place’s surroundings, and may even offer a smaller group than a large corporate company. Smaller groups mean lesser impact on the environment, and a closer look at the place you’re staying. In addition to amplifying your green travel, finding local guides also boosts local economy – something obviously of a timely nature.
Another way to keep things green is to take local transportation. In London, you can “mind the gap” on the Tube, and in San Francisco, you can see the city through trolley windows. Public buses, trains, bikes, canoes, ferries, and metros are more environmentally efficient than taking a cab – especially if you’re traveling solo. Lodging in locally-owned accommodations sometimes have a lesser eco-impact because smaller housing use less energy, electricity, and disposable products than a larger chain might. Eating at native restaurants (Italy, anyone?) that prepare locally source ingredients is beneficial too, because the food isn’t using fuel to ship, disposable packaging, or chemicals and energy to stay preserved. Plus, local meats, vegetables, fish, and fruit are bound to be fresher and more flavorful.
So work on staying local to make your green travel even greener!
© Cheapflights Ltd Andrea Mooney
