Many of us long to explore the breathtaking corners of our planet. However, not everyone realizes that in order to keep having such wonders to admire, it is essential to treat the Earth with care or at least avoid contributing to its further devastation.
Do not close your eyes
If you have the soul of an explorer, you surely love to look around and admire the world. But if you want to have a clear conscience and the belief that there will still be something to admire in the future, you need to face the fact that our modern lifestyle is harming nature rather than helping it.
We touched on the fact that it is good to instill this belief in children from an early age in our previous article. But what does "eco-friendly" behavior look like in everyday practice or while traveling? It is actually not complicated; you just need to think about all the consequences and keep in mind that there is almost always a better alternative.
Small steps
Traveling itself usually inevitably carries an ecological burden in the form of emissions from burning fuels and wasting other energy. However, until we invent an emission-free teleporter powered by renewable sources, this probably cannot be completely avoided. But as is often the case, we can at least take certain steps in this area.
The first one concerns daily commuting to work, regular errands, and short trips – if you must use a car, arrange to carpool with friends or colleagues. Not only will you save money, but you will also reduce the number of cars clogging the roads every day. A better option, however, is to use public transport or, even better, rely on your own power. If the weather permits, treat your commute as a relaxing bike ride or a brisk walk. Sure, you might have to get up a little earlier. But your reward will be improved health, a clearer mind, and the good feeling that you are not an unnecessary burden on the environment.
You can approach exploring unknown corners of foreign lands in a similar way. It is better to walk through seaside resorts – that is the best way to get to know the local culture anyway. Of course, if you are heading to the mountains or nature, walking is probably the clear choice. For longer distances, use local public transport, arrange to travel with other vacationers, or dare to hitchhike. In any case, always consider trips to exotic locations carefully, and when you do set out on long journeys, try to make the most of them and enjoy them to the fullest. Know, however, that even close to home you can discover unexpected beauties that our (and surrounding) countries have to offer.
According to experts, train travel appears to be the most environmentally friendly for long distances. So, try this option and instead of buying plane tickets, head to the train station. Train travel will add a whole new dimension to your trip, and you can look forward to plenty of new experiences and sensations.
If you want to be truly consistent, you can go even further into detail. For example, there is no need to print tickets/boarding passes these days – this saves paper and subsequently reduces the amount of waste. Use smart mobile apps and other practical gadgets to arrange everything you need online.
Responsible packing
For luggage in general, less is more. A lighter load will also make it easier for you to use the aforementioned alternatives to air travel. Equip your suitcase or backpack with reusable covers or rain covers. You will avoid the need for plastic foils and thus unnecessary, long-decomposing waste.
You can also think ecologically when choosing your luggage – there are suitcases, backpacks, and bags available whose production is as environmentally friendly as possible or are made directly from recycled materials. For example, the proven company Vaude produces its backpacks and bags from sustainable sources, and in the range of school bags, Ergobag clearly leads. For suitcases, focus on quality so they last as long as possible, thereby reducing the amount of potential waste. For adventurous travel with low-cost airlines, we recommend the current hit among (not only) young globetrotters: the universal luggage brand CabinZero.
Prepare not only yourself but also your household for your departure. Turn off all electronic devices and consume all perishable food. You should also behave considerately in your temporary shelter. Do not waste water, energy, or food unnecessarily. Many hotels today also allow you to indicate to the staff whether you wish to have your towels or bed linen changed, so do not abuse this option unnecessarily and always think about whether this service is really necessary every day.
Consideration comes first
Upon arriving at your destination, keep in mind that you need to approach the places we will leave in a few days with a certain humility. Respecting protected animals is a matter of course. Therefore, definitely do not buy products made from endangered species, do not pick corals, and do not pollute beaches where rare turtles hatch.
The same applies to noise – if you are heading to the mountains or camping in nature, definitely do not make unnecessary noise or hold wild parties by the campfire at night. On the contrary, silence is a scarce commodity today, so enjoy it to the fullest!
Of course, you can save nature even on hikes and adventure expeditions. In addition to respecting nature, not littering, and behaving considerately toward local animals and plants, you can also fight against the threat that PET bottles pose to our planet. Get one of the "healthy" bottles free of bisphenol A and other harmful substances instead. These bottles also boast practical features, among which resistance to damage and the absorption of odors or dyes stands out, which ensures a significantly longer lifespan for such a container, so you won't have to throw away PET bottles at all. If you don't know which one to choose, check out our comparison of two bestsellers in this area, which may be helpful in your selection.
Don't slack off at home either
Consistency is important. Environmentally friendly behavior is, of course, important not only while traveling but also in everyday life. Among the non-violent, friendly steps to help the hard-pressed nature is, of course, waste sorting. (Although a much better option is to ensure that waste is not created at all.)
As mentioned, the most problematic type of waste is plastic. Try to limit its consumption and purchase as much as possible. It is relatively easy – swap plastic bags for more practical eco-bags and generally prefer to buy unpackaged food. Pack snacks for children in washable snack boxes rather than bags and foil, and replace PET bottles with the more durable and ecological containers mentioned above.
A great tip for incorporating an environmental orientation into your family is a trip combined with cleaning up the immediate surroundings, which will force you and your children to realize how much waste we produce and that it doesn't just disappear from the face of the earth with a snap of the fingers. For inspiration, join, for example, the commendable initiative with the self-explanatory name Ukliďme Česko.
It is also necessary to realize that every step counts. You don't have to give up immediately because you simply cannot save nature alone, or because you cannot immediately apply all the above-mentioned tips at once. Take it step by step; it is better to do something than nothing. And that one person can't do anything? Oh, but they can! People are curious creatures and also like to imitate. :-) Therefore, be the change you want to see in the world, inspire those around you, and positively influence the coming generations.
Photo sources: pexels.com, nitro.com, Nalgene FB profile
