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They Say Travel ‘Light’, We Say Travel ‘Sustainably’

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Every bucket list has one thing in common: traveling. We are by nature wanderers, seekers, discoverers. If we’re not traveling, we’re planning for our next trip, or at least dreaming about it. Traveling opens our minds, eyes and hearts.

Unfortunately, traveling isn’t very sustainable and that is by itself a challenge for us sustainably-oriented peeps who love to travel. In a perfectly sustainable and eco-friendly world, no plane would ever take off. But we all know that is not an option nor a solution. So what can we do to make our travels more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint?  

It starts with you (everything always does) and with little individual habits that may not seem like much but, collectively, can have a huge impact. Here are some tips from Dulce on how you can enjoy your vacation without compromising your sustainable ethics!

Transportation

  • When available, always book a direct flight instead of one with layover. That will reduce your carbon footprint immensely.
  • The best way to discover a new city is by feet or by riding a bike. If you’re going long distances or weather gets in the way, resort to public transportation or at least a shared cab.

Hotels

  • More and more eco hotels are becoming available worldwide. When planning your trip, try searching for an eco hotel in the area or at least a hotel with sustainable practices.
  • Don’t forget to switch off all lights, turn off the AC and unplug your chargers and electronic devices every time before leaving your room!
  • Avoid giving out your laundry at the hotel. Most hotels wash each room’s laundry separately even if it’s just a few items. That’s a whole lot of laundry loads. Very, very bad.
  • In some countries, water is a scarce resource. Keep your showers short and try not to consume a lot of water.

Shopping

  • Shop at local shops and dine at local restaurants instead of big chains. It’ll boost the local economy you are visiting and will also give you a richer experience of the country’s culture.
  • Bring your own shopping bag with you to reduce the use of plastic bags.

Behavior

  • Respect cultures, norms and rules, and try not to offend locals.
  • It goes without saying, but don’t litter! Keep the country you’re visiting clean (or at least don’t participate in making it even more polluted).

Animals

  • Don’t disrupt the wildlife by feeding them or getting too close to them!
  • Avoid tourist activities that encourage animal slavery such as elephant riding or tiger walking.

Give Back

  • Finally, give back by donating to a local charity before heading back home!

Posted by Dulce Salerno

Eco-friendly Monaco

Before the Flood, Paris Agreement & COP22: A Big Week for Climate Change

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It’s been a big week for Climate Change.

First, we’ve had Leonardo DiCaprio’s Before the Flood released, a fascinating documentary to educate people about Climate Change, how it affects our planet and us all, and raise awareness about what we can still do to slow it down.

And just a few days after the release of Before the Flood, a historic achievement was made as the Paris Agreement for Climate Change finally entered into force on Friday November 4, 2016 marking an important day for the Global Community and the planet. The Paris Agreement is important because it sets a transparency framework of what needs to be done in the coming decades to deal with Climate Change and because countries can now be held accountable for their impact on the environment. But still, it is not enough alone to solve the problem.

Climate Change will once again become the global focus next week as countries gather in Marrakech for COP22 (the UN Climate Body’s 22nd Conference of the Parties) to discuss the actions that need to be implemented and the responsibilities that must be taken by different parties.

Climate Change is no doubt the most pressing matter surrounding our environment. Scientists have been screaming about it for years and years, and somehow we’ve managed to shrug it off. But now people are finally listening and they have finally started to realize how badly it is affecting us. The question is, will we do anything to turn back the wheel and save our planet?

If you haven’t watched Before the Flood yet, we recommend that you do while it is still available to watch for free on the Geographic National Channel.

Posted by Dulce Salerno