How to Be a Green Traveler Abroad

In modern times, no destination is really unreachable anymore, but the globalization of travel comes at a cost to local (and global) environments. Here's some tips on how to be an eco-conscious traveler abroad.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. When planning your travels, choose destinations and activities with an environmental conscience. Many of the huge resorts were created at great expense to local environments, and those huge cruise ships generally aren't too eco-friendly either. Scour the net for eco tours and lodges before you leave.
2. Consider purchasing carbon offsets for your travels. Air travel in particular adds huge amounts of climate changing pollution to the atmosphere.
3. Avoid buying bottled water whenever possible. Many places aren't able to recycle plastic, and the waste created from disposable bottles is enormous. Bring and use a water filter when ever possible, or drink tap water in industrialized nations with high sanitation standards.
4. Consider volunteering your time to environmental cause abroad. Working in organic agriculture--sometimes called WWOOFING--is especially popular.
5. Whenever possible, use public transportation to get around instead of taking taxis or renting a car. It's cheaper, and a great way to get to know the locals.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to set a positive environmental example. Just because lots of the locals litter doesn't necessarily mean visitors need to follow suit.
• If you elect to purchase carbon offsets for travel, do a little research to be sure the company selling the offsets is reputable.
• In many developing nations, bottled water isn't much safer to drink than tap water due to lax standards, which is just another reason to get a filter.