Ecotourism: How to make your vacations greener

Our responsibility to the earth doesn't go on hiatus when we travel. Ecotourism is the growing practice of ecologically sustainable exploration. Many activities are based on nature and culture and help contribute to the conservation of local heritage and environment. Ecotourism can give visitors deeper insight into the places they're visiting and everyone can go away with the satisfaction of having a minimal impact on the earth. Consider the following tips before your next vacation to have an eco-friendly  and highly fulfilling trip.

Choose greener methods of transportation
Flying is one of the most environmentally unfriendly methods of travel. When booking your flights, choose routes with as few stopovers as possible. Planes produce more carbon emissions during takeoff and landing than any other time. Once you reach your destination, opt for public transit or try to rent a hybrid or bio-fuel vehicle. In warmer weather, combine adventure with the greenest ways to see sites – walking, hiking and biking.

Consider carbon offsetting a vital cost of travel
Nobody should be made to feel guilty for seeing what the world has to offer, which is why many travellers try to maintain a carbon-neutral lifestyle. Through carbon offsetting, a system that works on credits, we can invest in green changes elsewhere that will help reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. This helps balance out the negative effects from activities like flying. It seems a little greedy to be able to pollute the earth and then pay someone else to make greenhouse gas reductions on your behalf, but consider that your investment will help make improvements that otherwise may not occur. (Read more about carbon offsetting from davidsuzuki.org.)

Leave packaging at home
Instead of throwing out packaging in resort garbage bins, take it with you. Many developing nations don't have recycling or waste disposal programs like we do in Canada, so it won't be disposed of properly (similarly, leave packaging from new toothbrushes, batteries and other travel items at home before you leave). You can also plan ahead by tossing an insulated cup into your luggage if you're headed to an all-inclusive resort. Not only will your beverages stay colder and be easily identifiable poolside, but imagine how many plastic cups you'll save if you continue to refill your own.

Page 1 of 3