How you can have a lighter footprint when travelling |
- You can do our research and choose destinations that value sustainability and eco tourism.
- You can consider within reason how you get to our destination.
- You can look into booking eco-conscious accommodation.
- You can support local economies and opt for sustainable activities.
- You can reduce your food and plastic waste, as well as support local restaurants, farm shops and food vendors.
- You can limit your energy use and conserve water.
It is within our power to leave a place better than we found it, by respecting local culture, supporting small businesses, leaving informative and accurate reviews online and donating time or recourses to local a local cause.
Our planet is in danger. Climate change is causing extreme temperatures and some places are even disappearing. The Maldives are sinking into the ocean, and some scientists estimate Glacier National Park will not have any glaciers left by 2030 unless we all start thinking differently about our footprint.
We have a profound responsibility to move through this world with more respect and awareness. Responsible hotels, lodges and tour companies will have information about their sustainability initiatives on their website. Look for certifications. Check that their list of certification groups have ‘agreed upon’ global standards.
A very small but practical way to travel more sustainably is to bring a BPA-free water bottle and refill it with filtered water throughout your trip.
We like to travel with our re usable coffee cups aswell. Especially if we are exploring a city and plan on coffee shop hopping.
Cut down on your plastic usage by bringing reusable bags, too. If you’re staying at a hotel, ask them about their recycling program for any waste you might produce during your stay.
We are all on this learning curve together, but what our daughter has taught us, is that we have to try, and when we fail, we have to do better next time.
A little Reed travel Tip, we take a Reed pillowcase with us for each family member on weekends and short trips away. We use the pillowcases as laundry bags and separate out our dirty laundry. We bring it all home, where we know we launder it responsibly with bio degradable washing powder and no commercial fabric softeners.
We’d love to hear what small change you are making to your Christmas trip this year and what tips you have for more sustainable trips?
Happy & Safe Travels,
Karen Reed.
Images – Singita Lodges – https://singita.com/
Adriaan Louw + Photography
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