Do you have exotic plans for your summer vacation? Maybe you will be traveling abroad or visiting a friend in a nearby state. Regardless of how far away you will be going, there are some ways to make your trip less stressful on the environment. Of course you deserve a vacation (who doesn’t?), but shouldn’t Mother Earth get one too?
Packing Essentials & Prepping Your Home
Preparing to leave your home for a week or two can be quite a production. Not only do you have to pack everything you think you might need, you also have to deal with your house. Instead of keeping security lights on all day, set them on a time to come on at night. Also, turn off your air conditioning and power strips and unplug all appliances. In addition, you can put a hold on your mail so you can pick it all up when you come back and reduce some of the daily drives your mail carrier takes.
If you have the time, it helps to bring along some snacking foods such as nuts or dried fruits. It will save you money and gas if you don’t have to drive to eat food at a restaurant, so even bringing along peanut butter and bread is a green idea.
Green Transportation
When driving long distances in a car, you can reduce your carbon footprint by riding with someone. So if you’re traveling with friends take one or two cars instead of five. If you’re traveling alone, check into a ride share program, which is designed to find you a carpooling buddy. Another option is to travel by plane, and some airlines and airports offer carbon offset programs or even eco-friendly car rental programs, so search online before committing to a certain airline. When you finally reach your destination, have an enjoyable sightseeing experience by walking, riding a bike or driving your hybrid rental.
Getting away in an eco-friendly way requires a little planning, but once you get the hang of it, you will be traveling in green style everywhere you go. You might even be surprised by the sustainable options that different areas have to offer.
