“The Earth is what we all have in common” – Wendell Berry
If you’re like us, you love that commonality. You like to feel at home in the world, and the sense of a shared human experience that crosses cultural divides–the smell of rain, feel of sand, pleasure of walking through the woods–wherever in the world you might be. But how do we reconcile our love for the Earth with the knowledge that exploring it can be harmful?
Tourism consumes key resources–energy, water, land, fossil fuels, minerals, and more. It generates waste. It hurts biodiversity. Research from UN Environment finds that if tourism continues as usual through 2050, it would generate “an increase of 154 percent in energy consumption, 131 percent in greenhouse gas emissions, 152 percent in water consumption and 251 percent in solid waste disposal.”
Of course there are benefits to tourism, too. In contributes to 10% of global GDP and accounts for one in every 10 jobs worldwide, plus creates paths for other economic growth and development. We believe it also makes people more engaged, empathetic global citizens. So if tourism isn’t going anywhere, what can we do?
The biggest changes will have to come from national and global levels, and some countries are already way ahead.
Slovenia
Northern Europe seemed to understand the importance of sustainability decades before much of the rest of the world. Iceland gets 85 percent of its energy from renewable sources, the Dutch have long been committed to cycling as a form of green transportation, and Finland has resisted the logging industry to remain the most-forested country in Europe. But a bit farther South, a former Yugoslav Republic is strengthening its position as one of the greenest countries in the world.
Slovenia’s commitment to sustainable tourism over the last decade is unmatched. In 2009, the tiny country created strategic guidelines to become an ecotourism destination. The hard work paid off, and Slovenia is being recognized by everyone from the UN to National Geographic as a sustainability hub. In 2017, Green Destinations named Slovenia the most sustainable country in the world. A year earlier, the European Union named Ljubljana the greenest capital in Europe.
Environmentalism is evident everywhere you go. In Ljubljana’s city center, only pedestrians, cyclists, and energy efficient city buses are allowed. Seventy-four percent of houses are powered by natural gas, and waste management is taken seriously. In other words, when you place plastic in the recycling bin, it actually ends up being recycled (which is more than can be said about much of the U.S.). Outside of the capital, 10 percent of the country is on protected land, and 60 percent is covered in unique forests. Enjoy the wonders of the Alps in Triglav National Park or go underground to see fascinating sculptures and stalactites at Postojna Cave.
Best of all, Slovenia’s tourism board makes it easy to travel green. The Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism outlines destinations and service providers throughout the country that meet the country’s sustainability standards. Check out the map before you plan your visit.
Uruguay
For years while Europe looked to Iceland and Finland as exemplars of environmentalism, the Americas looked to Costa Rica and Ecuador. And for good reason. Costa Rica runs almost entirely on renewable energy, and devotes a quarter of its land to national parks and protected areas. Ecuador has often prioritized wildlife conservation over oil extraction. Now, Uruguay is making strides to become an environmental leader as well.
Before 2005, Uruguay was no better than anywhere else. Dependent on oil from Brazil and Argentina, sustainability was not a priority for the small coastal nation. Then, the country began investing three-percent of its GDP into revolutionizing its energy sector. Over the next decade, the government continued to make environmentally-conscious decisions that successfully transformed Uruguay. By 2015, 95 percent of Uruguay’s energy was coming from renewable sources. Take a trip through rural Uruguay, and you’ll find wind turbines towering above you. But the country doesn’t only rely on wind. Hydroelectricity and solar power play large roles as well, making Uruguay resilient to changes.
In 2016, Uruguay received $20 million to further improve its sustainability efforts. The money is being used to upgrade tourism attractions to achieve sustainability standards while creating jobs for local residents.
When visiting Uruguay’s pristine beaches and bustling towns, you may notice coastal restoration efforts or new green energy infrastructure. Travel well knowing you’re supporting a government that takes climate change seriously. Plus, Uruguay is a leader in democracy, press freedom, and human rights. It’s all sunshine and sustainability when visiting this eco-friendly destination.
Rwanda
In Africa, no countries are doing more to reduce the effects of climate change than Rwanda and Tanzania. The countries are home to some of the world’s most mesmerizing forests and grasslands, and they intend to keep it that way. Almost half of the land in Tanzania is protected, including major tourist destinations such as Mt. Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and the Serengeti National Park. Immediately to the west, landlocked Rwanda is also finding creative ways to conserve the environment.
Rwanda faces a tough situation: how to remain an environmental leader while experiencing a population boom. The country is only about the size of Massachusetts, yet has more than 12 million people. Agriculture comprises one-third of the economy, which strains natural habitats. Deforestation was a pressing issue from 1960-1990, but since 1990, forest cover has increased. The government has worked with farmers to make it profitable to plant trees. Now the country is set on a goal of 30 percent tree cover by 2030.
In the face of mounting challenges, Rwanda has not shied away from sustainable policies. In 2008, Rwanda became one of the first countries to ban plastic bags. A few years later, it set up an investment fund for green projects. Then in 2016, it ratified the Kigali Amendment (named for Rwanda’s capital) to the Montreal Protocol. The amendment calls for the phasing-out of highly potent greenhouse gases used in cooling systems. Rwanda’s initiative to increase the efficiency of cooling systems (R-Cool) is one of the most robust in the world.
Tourism can be overwhelming for such a densely-populated country. Rwanda’s solution: make it very expensive. An hour of gorilla watching at Volcanoes National Park costs $1500. The steep cost may deter travelers, but that’s not a concern for Rwanda. If you do manage to make it to there, your tourist dollars are helping maintain a delicate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation.
The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing we all share.” – Lady Bird Johnson
These are encouraging examples, and hopefully you’re inspired to take personal steps to travel more sustainably. Here are a few ways you can #BeaBetterTraveler this Earth Day, and in the years to come:
Use Your Voice
Voting is your most effective strategy. The changes that have real impact will come from governments limiting greenhouse gas emissions and shifting to renewable energy. You can put those governments in place. Go a step further and campaign for candidates who make climate change a central part of their platform.
Rethink Your Air Travel
Air travel is….really bad for the environment. It makes up two-percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. While car travel is becoming more efficient thanks to improved fuel economy and electric vehicles, air travel has not caught up. According to the New York Times, one round-trip flight from New York to California generates 20 percent of the average person’s car emissions for an entire year. But more people are flying than ever. Airlines around the world transported 4.3 billion people in 2018, up 38 million from 2017, and that number is expected to grow this year. Vox has a great, in depth piece on this, which includes this depressing note: “Right now, we have almost no alternative that can match jet fuel’s energy density — no battery is going to get an airliner across the Atlantic. The engines themselves are pretty much at their upper limit for fuel economy and performance, so there’s little room for improvement there.”
This is obviously problematic for those of us who don’t want to be stuck on one continent, and let’s be honest–none of us are probably going to stop flying completely. Here’s what we can do:
- Take longer vacations, if possible. Instead of taking multiple international trips over a year or two to the same region, try to take one longer trip and travel by rail or bus once you’re there. Or make it an extra long trip and travel by bike–the most environmentally friendly transport option, followed by electric car and rail.
- Explore one place deeply, instead of checking off multiple destinations. Slower travel can be prettier and more rewarding in many other ways, too.
- Planes burn the most fuel during takeoff, so if you can spring for non-stop, do it.
- Drive, sometimes. This is a tricky one. If you’re going a very long distance, flying is more energy efficient. But for shorter trips (DC to New York, San Francisco to San Diego) driving is the better option. Don’t forget to carpool!
- We want you to travel far and wide and learn everything you can about the world, but don’t forget that your home is worth exploring, too. Sometimes, the most exciting trips can be the ones that make you appreciate the diversity of your own country, from the Redwood forests to the Gulf Stream waters, and all that.
- Vote (yes, again. Sorry not sorry). Regulations to limit carbon emissions from air travel would be the most effective way to increase research into alternative fuel options. The European Union is getting there. The United States…not so much.
- What you shouldn’t do: worry about buying carbon offsets.
Lodging
Hotels around the world are taking steps to become more sustainable. From luxury hotels like the Conrad Bora Bora regenerating coral reefs to chains like Marriott eliminating plastic straws, the efforts range wildly in effectiveness, so look for hotels that have legitimate credentials, like LEED platinum certification. And you already know not to have your sheets and towels washed every day.
Airbnb is a great option for conscious travelers. In a home, you can control the water and electricity use, and linens are only washed once, after your stay.
Go on a camping trip! There are so many gorgeous places around the world to pitch a tent, and this is by far your most climate change friendly option. Getting outdoors is good for your health as well as the environment’s, and with national parks having something of a moment there’s never been a better time to sleep under the stars. Just make sure to follow these tips so you don’t end up causing harm to the very nature you’re trying to embrace.
Food Matters
Eat Plant-Based. Food system activities are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. According to Johns Hopkins University’s Center for a Liveable Future, livestock production is the largest contributor. Therefore, eating a plant-based diet is the single best food choice you can make to decrease your carbon footprint. A 2017 study published in Environmental Research Letters asserts that eating a plant-based diet is one of the best things anyone can do to help the planet.
We’re not telling you to cut out meat completely. Of course as a traveler you may want to try sinigang in the Philippines or shawarma in Turkey, but you don’t need to eat those meals every day. It may surprise you that even the people who live in those countries don’t eat meat every day. In fact, the average American consumes four times more meat than the average Filipino per year. Turkish people eat even less meat. We have already mentioned Rwanda’s commitment to wildlife, but it is also a leader on the vegetarian front. The average Rwandan consumes just 6.5kg of meat per year. You may learn some new vegetarian recipes while you’re there!
Eat Local. Transport accounts for 11 percent of all food-related greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce this number, look for restaurants that source their ingredients locally. If you are going to eat meat, eat it where it’s caught or raised. Eat Maryland crab in Maryland, and Alaskan cod in Alaska. Avoid the temptation to eat Argentinian shrimp unless you’re near the Western South Atlantic. This advice can be used for all food. Eat tropical fruits in tropical locations. Stick to apples and forest berries in temperate locations. As a traveler, you are already contributing to climate change by flying. Why add transportation emissions to get food brought to you?
Reduce Waste. The easiest way to reduce waste while traveling is to always carry a water bottle. In countries where the water is unsafe to drink, there are still plenty of ways to avoid buying bottled water. Water purifier bottles, such as this LifeStraw Go, remove bacteria from water instantly. Alternatively, purification tablets, like these Katadyn Micropur MP1 tablets, provide the same service.
Research Your Destination
As mentioned, some countries are doing a lot more than others to combat climate change. Consider rewarding those countries with your tourist dollars. Even more importantly, do some research to find out where your money is going once you pick a destination. You may be disappointed when you find the answers.
For example, Jamaica is doing some amazing work to reduce its climate impact. Its Vision 2030 plan outlines a future in which Jamaicans are using all their resources to create a sustainable and resilient country. However, your tourism dollars likely won’t help these goals become realities. Much of the money spent in Jamaican resorts does not stay in Jamaica due to leakage. Last year, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister has said that “leakage remains the major obstacle to sustainable tourism growth.”
While Slovenia is working hard to promote green tourism, cruise lines may be undercutting their efforts. If your only chance to see Slovenia is on a cruise, avoid the free trains provided by the cruise, and instead explore the country on foot, on a bike, or on state-sponsored public transit. Be especially wary of trains that will take you out of Slovenia to neighboring Italy, where none of your money will end up supporting Slovenia’s green efforts.
Some resorts, cruises, and hotels are better than others. When planning your next trip, consider who owns the resort, cruise, or hotel, where they pay taxes, and where they get their food and other resources.
We don’t want to stop exploring the world and we know you don’t either. These tips accompanied by aggressive government action can help make the Earth a cleaner, safer place. We don’t really have another option, as many are already experiencing. Like the sound of the ocean or the sight of stars, taking responsibility for climate change is another shared experience on Earth. Happy Earth Day–now stop looking at your screen and get outdoors!
“Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.” Jimmy Carter
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