As forests burn, temperatures rise and glaciers melt, the conversation about climate change and our role in it is intensifying. And, with increased documentation about the environmental, economic and social impact of travel, families may be wondering how best to be a responsible traveler.
Here are five ideas to consider:
1. Choose wisely.
Popular vacation spots like the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu and many National Parks have begun taking steps to protect their destinations from the effects of overcrowding by managing access, establishing visitor fees and sharing information about responsible practices. If you still plan to visit tourism hot spots, consider a shoulder or off-season trip when the crowds may be less of a concern. When researching your next family adventure, review second-tier cities, parks with fewer visitors, uncrowded beaches or other locations not currently experiencing a high profile as your holiday possibilities. Consider traveling with a tour operator that gives back to their communities and makes a strong effort to tread softly in each destination. Companies like G Adventures, a small group adventure firm that helps develop rural tourism projects, Country Walkers and Lindblad Expeditions are among those striving to find a healthy balance in the travel equation.
Contact: www.GAdventures.com; www.Expeditions.com; www.CountryWalkers.com; www.NPS.gov
2. How will you roll?
Consider planning trips that don’t require air travel or limit emissions by taking direct flights. Travel by train, a boat or other forms of public or human-powered transportation. You might also research buying carbon offsets. In doing so, you would effectively pay others to plant or not cut trees or to embark on other projects that reduce greenhouse gases. Organizations like Cool Effect offer options with more than “90 percent of every dollar going directly to projects” in Oregon, Tennessee, Indonesia and Guatemala.
Contact: www.cooleffect.org; www.GoldStandard.org
3. Think green.
Just as you might at home, keep water usage low, avoid unnecessary packaging and plastics, recycle and turn the lights out when departing your hotel room or vacation rental. Encourage each member of the family to bring their own reusable water bottle and refill from large containers if the local water is not safe to use. Follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize your impact. Hop on board local transportation, use bikes or walk whenever possible.
Contact: www.LNT.org
4. Support locals.
Before your trip, research the local culture and discuss the information and your initial impressions with the family. If relevant, encourage everyone in your group to learn a few phrases of the language. Hire a resident guide to introduce your family to the local ways. Buy indigenous crafts, pull up chairs in neighborhood restaurants to sample fare from the region and peruse what’s a farmers market. Be respectful and ask permission to take and share photos of people and private spaces. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) encourages travelers to always “be tolerant and respect diversity.”
5. Save the reefs.
Among the ways we can help protect important coral reefs around the world is to use proper sunscreen. Skin protection that contains oxybenzone or octinoxate washes off beachgoers, swimmers and divers and has been found to cause bleaching, deformities and potentially death to coral. Palau, Hawaii, and other destinations are taking steps to eliminate these chemicals from their beaches. Check for products that do not use these harmful substances and instead consider the use of clothing that blocks harmful rays from the body.
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