2018 was the year in which the concept of “sustainable travel” started to emerge and now in 2019 it has become a real hype. Climate change is real and travelling sustainable is an important contribution to the “2 degrees” commitment form the 2015 Paris Agreement, meaning that all nations must make a great effort to keep the rise in global temperature this century well below 2 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. The world’s travel habits have a stake in this: according to recent research, tourism (including air travel, but also a long list of other items associated with travel) is deemed responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A comprehensive research paper is this May 2018 publication by Nature “The carbon footprint of global tourism”.
Should we be “travelshamed”?
Although not entirely surprising, this is very bad news. Not travelling is simply not an option for me. I love to explore the world and work and save to be able to do so. Does this mean I should be “travelshamed”? I’m of the opinion that no, the world is there to be discovered, but we have to collectively do it in a way that leaves a positive impact not only on the environment, but also on the local communities.
For a lot of fragile communities tourism remains an important, if not the most important, source of income. Even is tourism is not the quick, low-impact development option many nations have long thought is to be, there are ways it can be grown in an eco-friendly way that allows local communities to benefit. Therefore, I think the term “positive travel” is more appropriate than “sustainable travel”. Indeed, there is much more to it than avoiding to hop on a plane and disdaining people who do so.
1. CONSCIOUS TRANSPORT CHOICE
Here are a few things I pay attention to in order to do my bit to travel positively. The underpinning mantra: do your research. Before I travel, I read extensively about my destination to make sure I am aware of local environmental issues, over-exploitation of certain locations and so on, so I can make the right choices during my trip.
As said, I do like long-haul travel and use planes a lot. That is not a great start, I know. However, I also look at the options available and opt for green transport where possible. For trip within Europe, I use the train most of the time rather than hopping on a plane. There are a number of good high-speed connections and also an extensive network of sleeper trains, so taking the train is comfortable and easy. Admittedly, it takes usually longer than flying, but I will happily travel slow and enjoy the journey. When at my destination, I opt for public or shared transport and hop on a bike where I can. Moreover, at home my husband and I don’t own a car! We use public transportation, I cycle to work and we rent a car when we really need one. So I feel that gives me some points in the bank.
2. BRING IT IN, BRING IT OUT
You might have seen this simple mantra in national parks, encouraging people not to leave any waste behind, but I think it can be applied to travel in general. Especially when going to places where the waste management facilities are not as good as at home, leave as little rubbish behind as you can and dispose of any waste correctly when you have to. In the recent years, I have expanded my travel kit with several reusable items to reduce my consumption of plastic and packaging. Water bottles, lunch boxes, cutlery,… I carry it all with me so I have what I need for trekking and don’t have to buy throwaway items.
3. CONSERVATION FIRST
This is a very important topic in my view. Think and do your research before visiting “parks”. I’ve come across many outlets presenting themselves as “conservation areas” or “nature parks” whereas in reality they are zoos and moreover badly managed ones. I have no problem with well-kept zoos and shelters where animal welfare comes first, but unfortunately, I have not come across many of these. After a couple of bad experiences, I now put a lot of effort in selecting places that operate ethically and where I can spot animals in their natural habitat. I especially avoid places where they “guarantee” sightings of wild animals (this is usually a sign of dubious practices) or, worse, where you can pet them.
Similarly, I research and respect closed seasons for hunting, fishing and visiting certain conservation areas. This means I know to refuse certain foods when they are offered to me at a time when it is basically illegal to eat them and to stay away from areas that are seasonally closed, even when dodgy guides offer trips. When in doubt, I speak to national park staff. They know the area well and will be able to advise on what is acceptable and what isn’t.
4. BUY LOCALLY
This is a very simple way to help the local communities when you travel. Whether it is about food, accommodation, souvenirs or services, I firstly look for locally owned places to stay, eat and buy. A concept I love are homestays. I’ve had the pleasure to stay in several local homes in Cape Verde, where a good, organised network exists. It is a great way for a traveler to partake in life and for locals to earn some money on the back of tourism without needing any new infrastructure or starting capital.
When it comes to food or products, I consider where ingredients come from and how items are produced. For example, an ice cream in a tropical location sounds lovely, but if local people don’t have enough electricity to light their house, cool their food or use a washing machine, you should probably question whether resources are used in the best way. I also make a point of using local services such as guides and porters for a trekking, even if I don’t really need them. Not only the local economy (and individuals) will benefit, it is also a great way to learn about fauna, flora and the community.
One a final note, I don’t associate the importance of buying locally with developing countries. In the Western countries, small and family-run businesses equally need our support!
5. GIVE BACK
The last item I want to call out is the importance of giving back to the community. Supporting reputable organisations whose funds truly flow into the community and who invest in initiatives with a lasting impact is a valuable thing to do. For example, for a recent trekking in Darjeeling, I found an organisation that not only offers local guides, but also trains them and fits them out with quality gear to make their job safe and comfortable.
If fully local is not possible, select places run by foreigners that focus on making a positive impact on the local community by generating business and creating honest labour. On my last trip to Cape Verde, I came across the lovely setup of Henny, a former chef at a top tier hotel in Amsterdam, who retired to Cape Verde and now runs a small organisation to train local youth in hospitality and hotel management.
If you can spare the money, consider spending some time volunteering at your travel destination. I participated in a couple of excellent expeditions with Earthwatch that allow not only to make a tangible contribution to conservation and research, but will also teach you a lot about the local area and management of conservation.
It doesn’t stop when you get home
Hopefully some of my tips will help you make the right choices during your travels. But for me, it doesn’t stop when I get home. Indeed, I think it is important to speak up and raise awareness about sustainable and positive travel. I try to not just tell my friends and family how amazing the views and weather were, but also speak about all my tips and behaviours encouraging them to consider the same.
