As many of us prepare to leave for our annual summer vacation it's a good time to think about the environmental impact of our travels.
Whether you go to the beaches of the Mediterranean or the pristine landscape of the Arctic, how you travel can have a huge impact on the environment. But if undertaken responsibly, tourism can be a positive force for conservation and environmental protection.
Follow our simple guide and you can not only have a great vacation, but also help protect nature at the same time...
1. Selecting your destination…
When you travel to your holiday destination by plane you are contributing to significant emissions of climate change causing carbon dioxide.- Try to take vacations nearer to home, or pick locations that you can reach by other forms of transport.
- If you have to fly, buy carbon offsets to compensate for the emissions caused by your flight.
- Rather than hiring a car at the airport choose other ways to get around like taxis, trains or buses.
- If you do travel by car, check out tips on how you can save fuel, money and help nature.
3. Choosing the right place to stay...
Choose accommodation that have effective waste treatment systems, that recycle, that are energy efficient, and, where possible, that use environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar energy or hydroelectric power.
- Look out for hotels that participate in WWF's Check Out for Nature programme. Participating Hotels will add a Euro (or its equivalent value) to your hotel bill when you check out at the end of your stay, which will be used to support our conservation work around the world.
4. Whilst you are there…
- Look at eco-tourism options. Many travel companies now offer holidays which support sustainable development, do not impact negatively on the environment and provide financial support to local communities.
- Respect the environment and stay on trails and public footpaths. Do not remove plants or feed animals, and never litter.
Conserve water and take showers rather than baths. Use a refillable water container, sterilizing water when necessary rather than buying bottled water.
- Limit energy use, including your use of air-conditioning and hot water. Turn off all lights and taps when you leave hotel rooms.
- Minimize your use of personal care products and detergents to wash linen, and reuse your hotel towels and bed linen.
- Dispose of sanitary waste properly. Don’t flush cotton buds, condoms, tampons and plastics down the toilet, or you might just find them on the beach!
- Recycle newspapers, magazines and your beverage containers (many can be returned for refunds), and reduce the number of bags, napkins and disposable cups you use when you eat fast food.
- Rent a bike. In many places you can rent them out. They are not only environmentally friendly and cheap, but also a great option for sightseeing.
- Take a hike. walking in cities or going on a hike in the countryside is great way to avoid emissions and yet discover some of special things about where you are, things you may otherwise simply "drive by".
- Reduce the impact of your recreational activities by avoiding sports which have a significant harmful impact on the environment, or choose more progressive establishments (e.g. golf courses which recycle water).
5. Coming home…
Some souvenirs could end up costing a lot more than you paid for them.
- Think twice before you buy any products made from any endangered species, including animal hides and body parts, tortoise-shell, ivory, or coral - they could be illegal.
- Visit WWF-US's Buyer Beware website for information that can help you say "no" to illegal wildlife products.
And finally...
Enjoy nature and the environment. There is so much out there that stands out on this planet as amazing, astounding, and downright breathtaking...
Have a great vacation!
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