We love to travel to the strange, the exotic, the beautiful and the secluded spots of the beautiful planet that we call our home not just because we enjoy the adventure and appreciate the enthralling experience, but also because we love the planet and what it has to offer. While traveling to these specials spots where nature still is undisturbed and the delicate ecosystems are still free of any human impact, it becomes essential that we do not leave a ‘dark impression’ behind by disturbing the finely balanced network of flora and fauna.

No matter if you’re just visiting Disney Land this holiday season, a trip planned in the wrong way can still hurt the places you visit. By taking care of some of the most simple and fundamental aspects of travel, you can go green with your vacation and make it delightful, both for you and the planet, and reduce your carbon footprint while you’re still on the road.

1. Carry your posse along and make it large

Start off your journey with as many people as you can on the trip and make sure that you carry along everyone you want on the trip along with you. Apart from having some real fun moments and enjoying a holiday with all those you really care about, this improves the fuel efficiency of vehicles and reduces carbon footprint as a full vehicle is always better than one carrying just a lone person.

Also for those who think that green tips are boring, how about hitting the shower as a couple? That can reduce wastage of water and energy. Just make sure though that you turn the tap off when you are in there and not actually showering! Green is not all that boring now, is it?

2. Carry Less-Planning starts with packing

Always pack less and carry only what you think is bare essential. You are not a beast of burden to have a giant backpack that forces a change in your posture. This reduces your carbon footprint as, inevitably, your vehicle/train/flight carries what you carry with you. The less the weight, the less energy is used for transportation. Of course, there is the priceless advantage of having a much more relaxed back and added comfort for the better part of the journey. Not a difficult choice, is it?

3. Stay close to the ground

Look, if nature wanted man to fly, then we’d have a couple of wings, a tail and much lighter bodies. However we don’t want to be hypocrites, but if you choose a flight only when it’s an absolute must and you have to cross continents, we’re more than happy. We do agree that air companies need to improve their airplane emissions because the pollution in the upper atmosphere is a lot more harmful to the planet and has four times more impact than pollution at ground level, but if we can help, we should. Stick with ground traveling and it will not only result in less pollution, but will also allow you the chance to see the local landscape and understand the local culture.

4. Promote Eco-Tourism wherever possible

Always choose destinations and hotels that are kind to the planet. In the modern age of the Internet, it’s not very difficult to find holiday spots that fall under eco-tourism. Learn it from an independent source and enjoy the delights of untouched nature. Even the busiest cities in the world have packages with eco-tourism concepts integrated, and picking them will just make your holiday that tad bit extra special indeed.

5. Eat local and buy local

Experience the tastes of the local dishes and carry nothing in terms of canned foods and drinks. If you are traveling, then enjoy what is on offer in the area. Apart from reducing the weight you’re carrying, this will also help improve the local economy. Moreover, a local vendor will always give you better bargain than one in one of those fancy restaurants in your own city.

6. Reduce and Reuse

This might sound a bit mundane, but throw away as little as you can. Always ensure that you reuse stuff and hence reduce the use of excessive material and goods while on a holiday. This is simple and goes a long way in helping minimize your carbon footprint as you travel across the globe. You might be able to afford it, but your bleeding planet cannot afford all that pollution and waste!

7. Use rechargeable batteries or maybe solar chargers

If you do not really like the digital age and the new cameras then there is no problem with you sticking to the traditional ‘Click’. But try and use rechargeable batteries and switch to solar chargers for all the electronic gadgets you own. Unless you are visiting the poles or England (where it always seems to be raining), they work just fine.

8. Go for non-toxic products

Use nature-friendly products as much as you can. For every plastic or toxic material, there is always a non-toxic and biodegradable alternative available. Use that as often as possible and you will be happy that you are not adding to the landfill woes of the planet.

9. Dispose Plastic and toxic waste with care

This is probably very high on the list of Must-Do activities when it comes to minimizing your carbon footprint and traveling green. The hazards of plastic and poorly disposed batteries are all too well known and tourists seem to be callous about disposing of them. Do not litter the beach or the hillside you visit with plastic bags, food packaging or those Coke cans. Animals and marine life can easily choke to death by consuming them or getting caught in them. You do not want their blood on your hands, do you?

Traveling green is not as hard as you think. In fact, it makes your journey a lot more simple, safe and fun. Always remember that if you respect the planet, it will always give you back ample in return.

Image courtesy of Per Ola Wiberg