How to Lessen Your Carbon Footprint While Traveling

Cutting back on your carbon footprint—essentially, the amount of carbon dioxide you help personally emit into the atmosphere as an Earthling—is an environmental effort that is definitely worth making.

The little things count, like using the airport restroom BEFORE your flight. In Japan, for instance, All Nippon Airways (ANA) is taking the lead and asking their passengers to use the airport restroom before boarding, rather than waiting to use the on board facilities, according to a "Time Magazine" report. This results in planes being lighter and reduces their fuel consumption, a large source of carbon dioxide emission.

This philosophy of traveling light should be applied to your luggage as well. Regardless of your mode of transportation, the more weight you carry, the more energy it will take to make it function.

Here are some tips for reducing your carbon footprint while on the road—whether you're traveling for business or pleasure—by plane, train, automobile or on foot—across the ocean or right here at home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ask about offsets when flying. Numerous airlines now offer an "offset" program that allows passengers to donate money towards environmental groups based on their carbon footprint while flying. The hope is that the group's efforts will help offset the carbon dioxide emissions you will be responsible for.

2. Buy a hybrid vehicle, which will get far superior gas mileage—and if that's not in the cards (or within your budget) right now, you can do the little things that count as a car traveler—like using radial tires and making sure they're properly inflated, avoiding heavy traffic, traveling by group in a car and consistently taking the shortest and most efficient routes.

3. Take a train or bus rather than a car or plane, if possible, which will drastically diminish your carbon imprint. And look for opportunities where you can simply walk or take a bike rather than a car when on the road, which gives you a closer look at an area, a chance to literally "stop and smell the roses," and is also better for your health. In fact, a report by the Surgeon General’s office advises a minimum of 30 minutes’ exercise daily—easily met by a brisk walk or bike ride—with benefits running the gamut from longer life longevity to reduced risk of disease.

4. Take the same steps you would at home to conserve energy when it comes to your hotel or motel stay—such as shutting off the lights and air conditioning when you're going out. Also, put out your "Do Not Disturb" sign, unless you truly need maid service, as unnecessarily washing bed sheets, towels and the like wastes substantial energy. Asking a hotel about their environmental policies is yet another way to be sustainably conscious.

5. Aim for restaurants that focus on locally produced goods, as opposed to those that have been flown in from great distances. Cutting down on your meat consumption is another way to lessen your carbon footprint while dining. A report by the Institute for Ecological Economy Study states that a diet that includes meat produces approximately twice the greenhouse gases of a vegetarian diet.

6. Provide feedback to restaurants, hotels, airlines and other services you use during your travels regarding their efforts, or lack of them, to reduce their carbon emissions. When a company notices their customers taking note of such issues, they're far more likely to be vigilant about them. More and more companies—such as hotel chains—are making this information prominently available on their websites, but just call their toll-free number and ask to speak with customer relations if you’re having trouble locating it online.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're working with a travel agent, express your concerns about reducing your carbon footprint and see how they can help. Traveling sustainably is a tremendous concern these days, and a good agent should have their finger on the pulse of the industry.

[vikki9]

on 10/29/2009 Great Green travel suggestions - thank you.

[martinrojas]

on 10/29/2009 This is really a great article.

[Hode]

on 10/29/2009 I enjoyed this article. You have some good ideas and I think if we all keep hearing information like you have written, we will eventually change our wasteful ways. Thanks!

[nanamusicgirl]

on 10/22/2009 Very good article on traveling "Green"!!!!
5 stars!!! Recommended

[kcmickelson]

on 10/16/2009 Good tips. Using the restroom before getting on an airplane is an easy decision given the obvious differences in comfort and room to maneuver!