Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg made headlines a couple of years ago when she sailed across the Atlantic from Europe to North America. She refuses to fly in airplanes because of the heavy loads of greenhouse gasses that burning jet fuel spews into the atmosphere.
Many other climate-conscious people would like to be able to make the same commitment and adopt a sustainable travel mode. Doing so simply isn’t practical for most people, however. If everyone went back to sailing in motorless ships to get around the world – well, that would turn the clock back on the global economy and life in general.
What are the characteristics of sustainable travel?
The United Nations World Tourism Organization defines sustainable travel this way:
“Travel that takes into account the current and future economic, social and environmental impacts and addresses the requirements of travelers, the industry as a whole and the environment of the host communities.”
But what does that mean for you and the individual choices you must make for yourself? How can you continue to enjoy travel for fun and for business in ways that deploy maximum sustainability? The keyword is “choices.”
For example, flying is by far the most carbon-intensive way to travel. Whenever you can, make a choice to get where you need to go in a less carbon-intensive way.
That can mean taking a train or getting together in a carpool with a bunch of people who need to go to the same place –- and select an electric vehicle for the trip!
Another option to consider is joining a carbon offset program. In fact, more than 30 major world airlines have introduced travelers’ carbon offset programs. When you purchase a ticket, you are given the opportunity to make an investment in a carbon offset program that is doing something like finding a way to replace fossil fuel systems with solar-powered systems.
Another characteristic of sustainable travel is the quality and nature of the destination. For example, is the hotel or resort you are planning to stay at operating sustainably or is it business as usual?
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council makes it easy for you to identify a good host at your destination because it issues certification to facilities that have met stringent requirements to qualify as sustainable operations.