Travel the Earth and Reduce your (carbon) footprint

Earth day, 2016,
A day to remember that we want to take care of the earth. Summer and travel season is upon us as well. I have to admit that I travel at least 20,000 miles a year by plane, one of the worst transportation polluters. My carbon footprint when flying to Europe and back once a year is 5.01 tons CO2.  The 12,000 miles to Europe and back in one trip, is the mileage I drive  yearly (12,000) in my car, which has a carbon footprint of 3.55 tons CO2. The average US individual creates 24 tons CO2 annually. That means I have some room to wiggle the rest of my carbon footprint and come out lower than your average person. My other big trip this summer is 4 weeks of hiking in the mountains, low, LOW carbon footprint. I’m aware of the relatively high carbon footprint of air travel. Therefore I reduce my overall traveling carbon footprint in other ways. Here are some tips for taking care of the earth while we travel. 

How to travel

1. Use an airplane as little as possible, go to a destination and walk or bike where you are.
2. On airplanes, travel coach, you use a smaller carbon footprint
3. Use an energy conserving car for driving longer distances, carpool, use public transportation if possible.
4. Choose an active vacation, move around on your own power while you’re in your destination.

What to consume while traveling

1. Be adventurous, and eat locally grown foods, go native! 
2. Avoid using bottled water, take your own water bottle with you, use a water bottle with filter if you travel where drinking water is unsafe.
3. Bring your coffee cup, avoid using throw away cups. Bring a fold up spork, avoid throw away flatware.
4. Travel light, use a carry-on bag and limit what you take with you. More weight on planes means higher carbon footprint.
5. Re-use your towels, sheets etc. Less laundry means less water/energy used.
6. Fill your own reusable small containers with lotion, toothpaste, soap, shampoo etc.
7. Bring a fold-up reusable shopping bag to carry groceries, souvenirs etc. Bring some cloth/nylon snack bags for snacks you buy or bring on the road. Pack your extra shoes in a  reusable shoe bag.

Where to stay when traveling
           Stay in eco-friendly hotels, hostels, private homes, camp out. 

When to travel
           Conserve energy: reduce your heating/air-conditioning use by traveling to warmer places in winter and
​            cooler places in summer. Turn down your thermostats while you're away from home!

Increase your awareness for Earth day, go to https://www.carbonfund.org/ and calculate what you use and find where you can reduce.
And then by all means, Happy Traveling!

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