Ask Before You Fly
The holidays put a huge strain on our resources. Twenty-five percent of all UK carbon emissions come from travel-related sources – trains, planes and automobiles. Why do you want to go anywhere when you’ve never even visited that old church at the end of the street, or tried the new bakery that just opened across from the library? (Have you even been to the library?) Why not pitch a tent in your backyard and celebrate the great outdoors?
Okay, take a trip, but at least keep it in the county. All right, the country, but train it, don’t drive. Oh, you’re really going to fly somewhere? In a plane?
If you insist on aero-spewing it, here are some tips to make yourself a marginally greener traveler. (Are you sure you don’t want to just cycle to Brighton?)
- Book online. By ordering electronic tickets, you reduce paper usage and are less likely to lose your ticket. (How about kayaking up the Avon?)
- Hotel it near a network. Find accommodation close to public transportation or near the places you are going to visit during your stay. (Or perhaps a group tour of the Lake District?)
- Find eco-friendly accommodations. There are tours and hotels that carry environmental friendly certifications or memberships in green industry associations. Look for these when you book. (Or just go riding on the Hampsire downs.)
- Don’t hire a car. If you do hire a car, consider an environmentally friendly compact or hybrid vehicle. Choose the smallest vehicle that can accommodate you as they are more fuel efficient. But don’t hire a car, rent a bicycle. (Or better yet, stay in the UK and do walking tour of local gardening sheds.)
- Be enviro-conscientious. Buy locally sourced produce to reduce the pollution required to import goods. Leave unopened shampoo, soap, and other items in the hotel unless you are taking it home to use. Grab only the maps and brochures that you will actually use. If you’re in a large group, share brochures whenever possible. (How about rollerskating in the Sainsbury car park?)
- Offset your miles. By carbon-offsetting your miles you can feel slightly less fiendish about helping belch planet-destroying chemicals into the atmosphere. (Click here for Acme’s take on the whole carbon-offsetting thing.) But wouldn’t you rather go fossil-hunting on the Jurassic Coast on Dorset?
Before You Go:
- Pull the plug on any unnecessary appliances, such TVs, VCRs, stereos, toasters, and microwaves. These items can still use energy in their off mode.
- Lower your thermostat and water heater so energy isn't wasted while you are gone.
- Stop your newspaper (you’re still getting a newspaper?) or donate the paper to a school while you’re gone.
- Decide not to go and opt instead to swim the famous Cheese Caves of Kensington. Happy swimming!