Welcome to Naked Sustainability Podcast. This bold podcast helps busy millennials navigate real-life sustainability with practical tips, no-nonsense advice, and a zero-fucks-given attitude, all through a transparent and authentic lens of living in the real world. Join Ginny for lively conversations, expert interviews, and hilarious anecdotes. From eco-fashion to zero-waste living, we’ll empower you to be an eco-warrior without compromising your badass lifestyle. Get ready to kick some eco-ass.
Join Ginny as she hits the highlights of the exciting world of sustainable travel. Discover practical tips for implementing sustainable travel options into your life, from choosing eco-friendly accommodations to engaging in low-impact activities. Explore various modes of transportation, including trains, cycling, sailing, planes, and cars, weighing their pros and cons from both convenience and sustainability perspectives.
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Why Sustainable Travel Matters
Hey hey friends, hi! Welcome back to the Naked Sustainability Podcast where we discuss living our busy everyday lives as sustainably as possible. I’m Ginny, your host and sustainability buddy, and today we’re diving into one of my favorite topics, sustainable travel. I mean, I travel all the time for work, and traveling the world to learn all about the different cultures and create meaningful experiences is almost the entirety of my bucket list items.
Picture this: crystal clear turquoise waters, lush rainforests, bustling city streets. Traveling opens our minds and hearts to new experiences, and we learn all about different cultures and bring them back into our lives. But how can we explore the world while also protecting it?
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What Does “Sustainable Travel” Really Mean?
Let’s embark on this journey together and discover the beauty of sustainable travel. But, before we pack our bags, let’s all get on the same page about what sustainable travel really means.
Obviously, it’s going to mean a different thing between all of us based on where we are with life, but it’s not just about snapping those beautiful insta-worthy pics, or bragging to your friends about where you’ve been. It’s about leaving a positive footprint wherever we go. Or rather, not leaving any footprints at all. This might mean supporting local communities, preserving natural landscapes, and respecting diverse cultures.
Beyond Carbon Offsets
Let’s be globetrotting guardians of the planet. Here are some practical examples on how we can implement sustainable travel options into our lives.
We can choose eco friendly accommodations such as hotels with green certifications or eco lodges that prioritize environmental sustainability. Or even AirBnBs or cabins that have sustainable upgrades to them. We can support local communities by purchasing goods and services from local businesses, small shops, artisans and farmers. We can engage in low impact activities such as hiking, biking, exploring nature, or wildlife viewing to minimize our environmental impact while also experiencing and really appreciating the nature around us. And we can minimize our carbon footprint by using public transportation, walking, or biking, whenever possible, and supporting initiatives for carbon offset programs in that area.
If we were to incorporate all these practices into our travels, we can actively contribute to sustainable tourism, and make a positive difference in the places we visit.
Choosing Greener Modes of Transportation
When it comes to getting from point A to point B, though, what really is the best option? Sure, planes are super speedy, but they’re also a major carbon emitter. In fact, traveling via plane for my job nearly doubled my carbon footprint through Wren.
So let’s talk about hopping on trains, cycling through charming towns, or even sailing the high seas. We’ll also talk about cars or planes because they’re the most popular mode of travel, at least in the United States. When it comes to sustainable travel options, each mode of transportation does come with its own set of pros and cons, from both a convenience and a sustainability perspective.
Trains for Scenic and Sustainable Travel
Let’s break it down a little bit. Trains. So pros…trains are often a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation, offering scenic routes and the ability to cover long distances with minimal environmental impact. They can also provide a comfortable and relaxing travel experience, while reducing carbon emissions compared to air travel. However, in some regions, particularly a lot of the United States, train schedules and routes may be limited, which affects both the convenience and flexibility in anyone’s travel plans, especially people who have limited paid time off. Additionally, the infrastructure for train travel may not be as developed in certain areas, like those regions in the world that don’t even have trains, leading to challenges in accessibility.
Impactful Travel by Cycling
For cycling, cycling offers an environmentally friendly and healthy way to travel, allowing for a close connection with your local surroundings and communities. And it provides flexibility in exploring those small charming towns that you’re visiting and the scenic routes while promoting physical activity and exercise.
There’s also the distance and terrain to consider because cycling may not be a practical or time efficient mode of transportation for you. Weather conditions and the need for proper cycling infrastructure can also impact the convenience and accessibility of those options.
Plus it’s more likely that you will travel via plane, car, or train to get somewhere and then maybe be able to bike once you’re there. It’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to actually bike to where you’re going unless you’re like a triathlete or something.
Sailing for a Low-Carbon, High-Connection Adventure
As far as sailing goes, sailing offers a unique and immersive travel experience, especially for coastal or island destinations. You know, those fun ones with the warmer weather. It is a sustainable mode of travel that minimizes carbon emissions. It allows for a deeper connection with the marine environment, which a lot of us don’t have unless we live directly next to an ocean or a large body of water.
But sailing may be limited to specific regions around the world, and it is a very slow and time-consuming method compared to other modes of transportation. It also requires specialized skills, equipment, favorable weather conditions, and can lead to seasickness or motion sickness if you’re prone to one of those things.
The Carbon Cost of Speed through Air Travel
As promised, I did say I would talk about planes. Air travel does offer speed and accessibility to distant destinations, making it a convenient option for long distance travel – especially, in the United States, where it’s very hard to get to one state or another. It can take up to two days to travel to five states away. It’s not like Europe where there’s a train literally to every other country. It’s a plane to every other state in the United States. So this is a convenient option, especially for those longer distant destinations, especially if we have limited paid time off. And it can provide opportunities to explore diverse cultures and landscapes around the world.
You know, we can get from one end of the country to the other end of the country in a matter of few short hours versus five days. And five days might be all the paid time off that we have to be able to take. So planes really are the most efficient way for us to be able to explore those diverse areas and get a feel for what the other coast might be living like.
However, air travel is associated with significant carbon emissions and environmental impact. It does contribute pretty massively to climate change. It also involves airport congestion, security processes, limited flexibility in travel routes, and, dealing with a lot of people. When I travel by plane, my people-ing game has to be on point.
Flexibility vs. Footprint with Cars
And then finally, there’s the car option, which I think a lot of us take because we already have a car, it’s not expensive, and we can just pop in the car and go. Cars provide that flexibility, the affordability factor, and the convenience factor allowing you to exploring local areas or ones that aren’t too far away from where you live.
And it helps us reach destinations with varying levels accessibility. Cars give us the freedom to create personalized travel itineraries and to make spontaneous stops along the way – which is part of the fun of road trips, right? But depending on the vehicle and the fuel efficiency, cars can actually contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Cars may also lead to traffic congestion, parking challenges, and infrastructure limitations in urban areas. Plus, a car requires a lot more of your active mental space and time because it does take longer to travel via car versus a train or a plane.
By considering the sustainability, and the convenience and affordability aspects of each mode of transportation, we can make conscious decisions that align with our environmental values while also meeting our travel needs and having fun.
Eco-Friendly Accommodation Options
I can tell you after one long day of travel, I am probably ready to kick off my shoes, pour myself a glass of wine, and just relax. So let’s talk about accommodations that put the planet first. From cozy eco lodges nestled in the mountains to chic, sustainable hotels in bustling cities, when it comes to responsible accommodation choices, there are numerous options for travelers who are sustainability focused and take environmental responsibility.
For Nature Immersion try an Eco Lodge
Here are just a few examples: Eco-lodges are secluded retreats that are often nestled in natural settings, such as mountains, or forests, or coastal areas. They are designed to minimize our environmental impact, sometimes utilizing renewable energy sources, rainwater harvesting practices, eco-friendly building materials, and other sustainable practices. Guests can experience a close connection with nature while supporting conservation efforts in this local area.
Green Hotels and Urban Stays
There are also sustainable hotels that can be found in urban and popular tourist destinations. These hotels are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and promoting eco- friendly initiatives. They incorporate energy efficient systems, waste reduction strategies, and ethical sourcing of amenities to provide a comfortable yet environmentally conscious stay.
Green resorts tend to be located in scenic locations such as islands, beaches, wilderness areas; and prioritize environmental preservation and community engagement. Oftentimes they offer eco-friendly activities and promote local biodiversity and wildlife, while supporting sustainable tourism practices and providing guests with an immersive and responsible travel experience.
Resorts & Retreats That Put the Planet First
And then there’s a nature retreat. These accommodations focus on providing guests with an opportunity to reconnect with the nature around them while promoting conservation and environmental education. They may offer eco-friendly cabins, treehouses, or even glorified camping or “glamping” sites that immerse visitors in natural surroundings while emphasizing sustainable living habits and practices.
By choosing one of these accommodations, we can enjoy guilt free stays that align with our values in environmental stewardship and contribute to the preservation of the natural ecosystem and biodiversity around us.
Responsible Sightseeing & Cultural Experiences
Now that we have the itinerary out of the way, and we have everything planned and booked, I always want to start exploring. But wait, before we grab our disposable water bottle, or haggle for a selfie with a captive animal, let’s talk about sustainable sightseeing and exploring practices. When it comes to sustainable sightseeing and embracing our local experiences, there are several ways to minimize our environmental impact while also promoting ethical tourism.
Obviously, reusable water bottle. Instead of purchasing that single use plastic bottle, we can carry a reusable one to stay hydrated while also reducing the plastic waste that we create. Many places offer water refill stations or have businesses that support refilling water bottles which contributes to waste reduction efforts.
Ethical Wildlife Sanctuaries & Local Communities
Rather than supporting attractions that export captive animals for entertainment, travelers can seek out ethical wildlife sanctuaries and conservation centers that prioritize animal welfare. These sanctuaries provide opportunities to observe and support wildlife in natural habitats while promoting responsible tourism, as well as education regarding these animals, their habitats, and their way of life.
Alternatiely, engaging in authentic cultural experiences like participating in local festivals, visiting community run craft markets, or even taking part in local cultural workshops allows us to support local artisans and traditions directly. This fosters a deeper appreciation for the destination’s heritage and contributes to the preservation of local culture all while giving you those once in a lifetime experiences that you want out of your travel time.
Responsible Excursions
You can also choose to go on a responsible excursion, and you can do this by choosing tour operators and excursions that prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly practices as well as community engagement to ensure that you are exploring responsibly while supporting any local initiatives. This is a great way to learn about some of the local landmarks and some of the history of the place that you’re visiting.
This may include eco-tours, nature walks, or even guided activities that emphasize environmental conservation and respect for local communities and environments.
Bringing the Spirit of Sustainable Travel Home
And finally, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. But our adventures really don’t have to. We can keep the spirit of sustainable travel alive long after we’ve unpacked our suitcases once we get home. Whether it’s by advocating for responsible tourism practices or supporting our local shops back home, our sustainability journey truly never ends and is constantly evolving as we learn more each day.
After we return from our sustainable travel experiences, there are several ways we can continue to embrace the spirit of sustainable travel and make a positive impact right at home. We can advocate for responsible tourism practices by sharing our experiences and our knowledge with others by promoting our sustainable travel tips on social media and supporting organizations that champion environmental conservation, biodiversity, and ethical tourism. By raising awareness, we can inspire others to make conscious travel choices.
Bringing a piece of your favorite travel destination home can involve supporting local artisans and sustainable products. Purchasing ethically made souvenirs, crafts, and goods directly from local artisans can preserve traditional craftsmanship, and also contributes to the economic well-being of local communities. You buying something to remember your vacation by can help support someone’s family.
And then we can incorporate sustainable habits that we learned during our travel time, such as reducing our plastic usage, conserving energy and water, or supporting local and organic products.
These items incorporated into our daily life have a lasting impact. We end up reducing our waste, choosing more eco-friendly products, and advocating for sustainable practices in our own community.
Every Trip Is a Chance to Be a Planet Guardian
And then once we come back from our vacations, sometimes getting involved in local or global sustainable efforts – like volunteering for environmental organizations, participating in community cleanup events, or supporting sustainable development projects – allows us to continue contributing to our earth in positive ways. Beyond our travel experiences, maybe you create that amazing sustainable traveling destination in your area just by speaking up and getting involved in these initiatives.
Plus, I think when you travel sustainably and you visit these nature destinations and you look at the world around you, this makes you want to get more involved in the nature around your home. And it helps you discover the beauty that’s always right around you, looking at every day like it’s a little mini vacation.
By carrying forward the values of our sustainable travel and advocating for responsible tourism, supporting local artisans, and actively participating in sustainable initiatives, we can make a difference and extend our positive impact in our journeys. Nurturing a sustainable mindset that transcends borders, countries, and states that continues to make a difference all over the world.
And there you have it. A crash course in sustainable travel that really just hits the highlights. So until our next adventure, remember, this world is ours to explore and cherish and love and protect. So safe travels out there, guys.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of the Naked Sustainability Podcast.If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, please share it with a friend. Feel fee to reach out at NakedSustainability.com at the link in the show notes. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week as we explore more badass ways to care for the planet while living this crazy busy millennial life.
Until next time.
