[PRACTICE] Eco-Traveler's Essentials

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb

After a hectic months of winter, spring, and summer, I am finally flying out of New York City to meet my family in West Coast. Please refer to the corresponding Instagram account @earthingtonpost to find out where exactly I am going and how amazingly eco-friendly it is. My travel diary will continue in the next issue of the Earthington Post.

For this week’s issue, I want to share ways to become an eco-conscious traveler. It is more difficult to make sustainable choices when we deviate from our ordinary lifestyle. We inevitably make more wastes and of course, travel itself is an immense emission of carbon dioxide. Still, it is crucial for us to think about the impact our decisions will have in the environment, local culture, and animals in the places we are visiting. We DO HAVE the power to lessen carbon emissions and staying green.

15 TIPS IN BECOMING AN ECO-TRAVELER

[PLANNING]

1. Travel efficiently from point A to B.

Direct flights cost more money but saves the environment a great deal of pollution. Do it for the environment. And again, if you plan ahead enough you might not have to pay a fortune to take shorter flights or trains. Plan your routes when you are on a road trip as well, so that you are making the trip more productive and energy-efficient.

2. Travel overland whenever possible.

“Time is gold” they say, because you can never retrieve the minutes and hours you lose. So is our environment. We can’t undo the damages. Consider taking a train ride, a bus ride, or car pooling when you can. One round-trip flight between New York and California generates 20% of the greenhouse gases that an average auto vehicle emits for a whole year. Don't get me wrong as I'm not telling you to drive from New York to California. But flying takes up a huge percentage of carbon emission for sure.

3. Find energy-efficient lodgings.

Find out if hotels in the area are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and/or are energy-efficient when booking. Sharing houses or home-staying are better options when possible, as hotels tend to generate more wastes and energy.

[PACKING]

4. Pack light.

1) Every pound counts to carbon emission on planes, trains, and cars. 2) Lighter bags equal better mobility which equals more chance to opt for public transportation, rather than taxis. Even if you cannot “backpack” everything, keep things minimal. Bring clothes to mix and match, so you can wear them more than once. Use packing cubes to organize and make more space. Lastly and seriously, you won’t need more than 3 different pairs of shoes.

5. Bring reusables with you.

Let your reusable water bottle, stainless steel straws and reusable grocery bags hop on your eco-trip. You can get away from work emails and household chores, but not from your sustainable practices.

6. Carry your own toiletries but NOT the travel-sized ones.

Bring your own toiletries to avoid wastage by avoiding to use mini shampoo, body wash, and lotion in hotels. Travel size shampoo, facial cleanser, lotions are very cute, but they add up to the compiles of wastes we make. One solution to pass TSA checkpoints AND to keep your bags light enough is to bring products in refillable travel bottles. Make sure to get no-plastic versions like this!

7. Grab an E-book.

Whether you are going to a big city or a serene resort, books come in handy. I love the smell of paperbacks and often times, it’s difficult me to live a millennial’s life with a Kindle. However, I do know the value of having had my iPad Air for over 4 years now and having read over so many books, saving trees and making less wastes.

8. Unplug and turn off. Before you leave home sweet home, unplug any device that would not be used while you are gone. They consume power even if they are turned-off. I mean..do you really need your string lights to shine in your absence?

[LODGING]

9. Use “DO NOT DISTURB” sign.

Keep your hotel room clean and use your bath towels wisely. The cleaning staffs AND the environment will thank you.

10. Utilize sink basins for small laundry.

Given that you packed light and only brought necessary amount of clothings, you will need some clean clothes mid-way through your trip. Bring laundry soap bars to hand wash underwear or t-shirts. If you are in a group of travelers, set a date to go to a laundromat together, so you won’t use up a ton of water and detergent just to wash 3 shirts.

[ENJOYING]

11. Opt for public transportation.

When in cities with clean and safe public transportation, utilize it! I tend to do my research before leaving, so that I at least know how to purchase tickets and where big stations are.

12. Walk and bike.

Especially since many cities are making efforts to make themselves bike-friendly, take the advantage whenever you can. After all, taking longer time to get from a point A to a point B allows you to view and enjoy the city better.

13. Do not buy bottled water.

Unless you are going to a country where tap water is absolutely undrinkable and it is difficult to find safe drinking water, do not spend money on bottled water and thereby make wastes. Use your reusable water bottle. If you have uncertainties about tap water, bring one of these little filter pod. They filter lead, arsenic, chlorine, and fluoride.

14. Return maps, brochures, and leaflets.

Despite many touristy venues turning to digital smart phone apps to make visitors’ information available, there still are old school national parks and museums handing out paper leaflets. Instead of wrinkling them, accidentally soaking them in water, or throwing them in trash, try RETURNING them so they may be REUSED by future visitors.

15. Support local community.

Support local economy and avoid imports. Visit farmers’ market and maybe cook simple breakfasts to cut down on food budgets. Find if the area has microbreweries. Your consumer choices on local and organic products should not stop outside of your home boundary.