You can follow these easy steps to lower your carbon footprint during the holidays. Make the best of your experience and help to save our planet:
Before you leave:
Pack light. The more weight that trains, planes and automobiles have to carry, the more fuel they use – and this means that the volume of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere also increases. Before you leave home, remember to unplug all your electronic devices and avoid wasting energy. Unplug your TV sets and turn down the temperature setting in your refrigerator. Check out the PATA Responsible Business Travel Guidelines for more tips.
Watch what you eat:
Food transported from somewhere else increases your carbon footprint drastically. Dine at local restaurants or buy locally produced food in supermarkets. There is no need, for example, to consume foodstuffs imported from Europe when you are visiting Japan.
Choose a sensible, energy friendly location:
A central location usually means more convenient access to public transport. Using public transport not only saves you time and money but it adds to the authenticity of your experience and allows for spontaneity.
Offset your footprint:
Contribute to carbon-offsetting programmes and other energy saving initiatives. A carbon offset is a credit for greenhouse gas. More information about carbon offsets may be found here.
Stay at home
The stay-at-home vacation! Explore your own city by visiting museums and other attractions that appeal to out-of-town visitors. Perhaps it’s time to hone your sporting skills or simply spending time with your friends and family in your own environment. Use your holiday budget to reinvest into your local community. Keep your carbon footprint to a minimum – and have lots of fun at home!