Everyone loves a great vacation.  It’s your chance to get away from work, school and daily life, but even while on vacation, we all need to be aware of the effect we have on the environment.  Have fun and relax, but be sure to stay environmentally aware!  The options for environmentally friendly travel are endless.  Read on to find out how you can be kinder to the Earth while you travel!

Go Carbon Neutral

While on vacation, try cutting your carbon emissions to zero!  Little steps will help you achieve this goal, such as unplugging appliances like the hairdryer while not in use and turning off the lights in your room when you’re out and about.  The David Suzuki Foundation warns us, “If you fly to Europe and back from the US, you’ll add about three to four tons to your (already large) carbon footprint.”  Consider offsetting your carbon emissions for a small fee. Forty dollars now will help save your destination for future travellers.  Offset your emissions from air travel through not-for-profit companies such as Atmosfair or TerraPass.

Use Mass Transit

Ditch the car and take the train!  Although trains and buses do produce emissions, by joining other commuters and travellers rather than cruising around in your rental car, you can help cut down on harming the environment while on vacation.  On top of keeping everything green, you’ll be saving money on parking fees and at the gas pump.  You’ll also have a chance to truly interact with the local population on your vacation. 

Ride your bike around accessible cities like Amsterdam.  By getting out of the car and joining the people in the streets you’ll cut down on carbon emissions and get a chance to really explore local sights.  You’ll find it more relaxing watching the mountains fly by on the train than trying to navigate through them in the car!