As we have witnessed what a single pandemic can do to the entire world, a peril still lies dormant in our environment. If we are unable to keep a check on it, it will cause us even greater harm. Climate change and increased carbon emissions can imperil the destinations we have always loved to go to.
The travel and tourism sector too has heightened the scrutiny of its impact on the environment. As per a study conducted, tourism contributes to 8% of the entire global emissions of carbon. So, it’s time that we become responsible citizens and do our part in offsetting our carbon footprints the next time we travel.
While there are many ways to increase sustainability in the tourism sector, carbon offsetting is an oft-overlooked topic for many travellers.
Carbon Footprint And Carbon Offsetting
Carbon footprint refers to the emissions of carbon and greenhouse gases that a single individual or a company emits. Every aspect of the day-to-day life that we live today, right from electricity used, mileage is driven to food consumed, contributes to carbon emissions. This is why carbon footprints are a major factor impacting climate change.
Carbon offsetting is basically the steps that we take to reduce carbon dioxide in the environment in equal proportion to our family or personal emissions. Carbon offsetting programmesaim to balance that carbon footprint that we emitted by providing programmes elsewhere on the earth that aid in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in equal measure. These programmes often include activities such as reforestation initiatives or tree-planting expeditions. They also arrange for investment projects so as to increase renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
Why Should The Travellers Be Concerned?
For those who travel often, carbon offsetting becomes a crucial topic to act upon. Flight travels significantly increase the carbon footprint. In fact, a meteorologist from the USA was quite taken aback by the carbon footprint he was leaving due to his frequent travels. He then decided and announced that he, along with his wife, will never board a flight again.
But for those who are unwilling or unable to give up flight travels altogether, carbon offsetting programmes become the only single hope of mitigating their carbon footprints and the negative impact on the environment.
Let us see a few ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprints while travelling.
How To Offset Carbon Footprint While Travelling
It’s not just enough for us to use a carbon offsets calculator and make donations to organizations. One needs to make sure that the organization that they are donating to is credible and is putting the money to good use. Many genuine carbon offsetting programmes use these funds to arrange for critical services such as food, energy and water to vulnerable places and people. Therefore, while donating, one should always look for the baseline standards that the organization claims and its certification. This will ensure whether the carbon footprint funds will go to the high-quality projects or some less-important ones.
Decrease The Carbon Impact Of Your Travel
You will notice that the flights usually sum up to the largest portion of your travel’s carbon footprint. Therefore, it will be safer for the environment if you book yourself with the airlines that invest in advanced equipment and technology to lessen the impact of your carbon footprints. National Geographic came with a list of the most fuel-efficient companies of airlines from across the globe. In addition, choose destinations that are closer to you or the accommodations that use renewable energy resources.
Calculate The Total Carbon Footprint Of Your Entire Trip
Use a digital online calculator to put in the details of your trip and calculate the carbon impact that your next trip will have. You can also calculate the carbon footprint of your buses, flights and trains among other things.
Select A Credible Carbon Offset Programme
Once you have the scores in front of you representing the carbon footprint that you will mark, select quality and certified organization that offers carbon offsetting programmes across the globe. Talk to them about your requirements and they will guide you through the offsetting process.
Reduce Food Wastage
With all the exotic and delicious cuisine to try, it’s difficult to not overindulge your taste buds while being on a vacation. But to state the fact, food production accounts for about one-quarter of the entire globe’s emissions. Forests release their carbon stored into the air when they are deforested for creating farms. Food generates carbon even while being processed, packed, transported and refrigerated. And when the food is thrown down the garbage, it emits harmful methane emissions while it rots in the landfills.
So while sampling the dishes, ask for smaller portions. You can always buy it again if you need more. And steer clear of the buffet areas that offer more food at no additional costs. People tend to pile up their plates more than they can eat on such occasions and then all that goes into waste.
Always Try To Pack Light
The heavier the luggage, the more fuel gets consumed while transporting it via plane, car, train or bus. Pack your bags with lesser accessories so as to reduce fuel use and the number of carbon emissions ultimately.
Choose a lightweight suitcase. Pack clothes that will dry sooner after wash. Leave larger things like camping gear and rent it from local shops.
Slow It Down
Often, while on a vacation, we tend to exhaust ourselves by visiting all the ‘must-see’ places instead of staying at one place and visiting the local attractions. As a result, we end up wishing for a vacation after the vacation that we just took. Instead, consider taking one long vacation every year, rather than making short trips to all the places. You will find yourself more relaxed and connected with your gang rather than too tired to even talk.
Thus, slowing things will help reduce the amounts of emissions that we would be generating while travelling to all the places at once.
Concluding Thoughts
Most of the tourist destinations of the world—beaches, rainforests and reefs—are already burdened by climate change. By committing to lowering your own and your company’s carbon footprint, you can be on the climate change solutions side instead of the one causing it. Travellers need to join in on the global efforts that are keeping this planet sustained. Business like TEM connects business and customers with climate, reducing carbon footprints and achieve carbon neutrality and make extraordinary impact by connecting with life-changing carbon offset projects.