10 simple ways to travel green

10 simple ways to travel green

to travel green is a little more complex at first - but can quickly become a second nature. Here are some simple ways to travel environmentally friendly with which you also save money

We at Atlas & Boots are firmly convinced that travel is a positive strength. However, if you look at the environmental impact of the commercial aviation, the overwhelming number that flows into sensitive ecosystems, and the tourist stress on the resources, travel does not look quite as beautiful.

Whether appetite for low-budget flight tours, air-conditioned rooms or fully charged smartphones at the end of selfie sticks-the travel rank demands a high tribute from our planet.

ecotourism is often advertised as an answer, but this is often only a synonym for spending a lot of money on eco-lodges or sustainable tours that claim that they will take care of the marketing potential of ecotourism-also known as greenwashing.

There are ways to travel environmentally conscious without spending huge sums for ecot tours and the like. Here are 10 simple ways to travel environmentally friendly and make the toll a little easier.

1. If possible, go to renewable energies around

opt for renewable energy sources at an individual level to charge mobile devices on the go. We use a light solar telephone charger and a more durable waterproof for hikes.

alt = "Simple ways to travel more environmentally friendly solar energy"> Atlas & Boots with our solar charger on the lonely beaches Sri Lankas

solar charging devices are currently very popular, but more and more ingenious devices are constantly being invented, from small wind -powered turbines to thermoelectric rubber boots!

2. Treat local water

A few years ago we invested in a steripen water cleaner and never regretted it. It is one of these products that really make a difference. If we are honest, we bought it to save money without really thinking about the environmental advantages.

alt = "Simple ways to travel more environmentally friendly"> Atlas & Boots Our steripen saved us hundreds of dollars since we bought one three years ago

The reality, however, is that by cleaning the local water, we avoided buying hundreds of plastic bottles with water. There are now several options on the market, such as the Lifestraw or the Sawyer Mini, but we are still running our proven steripes.

3. Avoid or reuse plastic bags

2014 England introduced a nationwide fee of five pence on plastic bags. The result was that the use of plastic bags broke up by astonishing 83 % within one year. If it were up to me, they would be prohibited immediately, but the point is that the use of plastic bags that are raised by the people drastically reduced the number of the environmental pollution.

alt = "Simple ways to travel green-plastic bag"> Dream time plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to be broken down

Some countries have banned plastic bags, but most still use them millions of times with or without delivery. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, so just say no to you. If you are traveling, you will probably have a backpack or a beach bag that can be used instead. If you have to wear one or two, use them as long as possible - about 1,000 years.

4. Use power banks instead of batteries

batteries contain many dangerous metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc, manganese and lithium. Most used batteries are buried on landfills and it takes decades for them to be broken down - and the metals contain the groundwater and distribute the pollutants over a larger area.

The use of power banks that load regardless of the network is a much more economic, more efficient and more environmentally friendly way to charge your devices on the go. In this way you do not have to take conventional batteries or batteries with you to provide energy on the go.

alt = "The MSC Power Stick has proven itself in the wilderness"> MSC No more batteries: Keep contaminants from the groundwater by using power banks

We travel with some different models of power banks, each contain a mini charger for our smartphones and e-reader as well as a more robust, waterproof power bank.

5. Use the fan instead of the air conditioning system

This is my guilty pleasure and something that I have to work on. I get hot and sweat like a race horse ridiculously quickly, but that is not an excuse for gripping for the remote control of the air conditioning instead of the fan switch.

alt = "Simple ways to travel green-air conditioning"> Dream time It is too easy to achieve the remote control of the air conditioning system

If your hotel offers an option without air conditioning (and cheaper), then decide to resist any temptation. Otherwise, join the remote control in the safe or return it to the reception if you believe that you cannot resist.

6. Camp (but do not leave any traces)

If you camp, you should leave a smaller CO2 footprint by default compared to a hotel stay. But go one step further and stick to Leave No Trace, a series of outdoor ethics that promotes nature conservation outdoors.

• plan ahead and prepare for
• travel and camp on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• leave what you find
• minimize the effects of the campfire
• respect the animal world
• take other visitors into account

Alt = “Camping leaves a smaller CO2 footprint”> Atlas & Boots Camping leaves a smaller CO2 footprint

7. Respect wild animals and adhere to the local regulations

do not promote unethical tage tourism. Never ride on elephants or stroke sedated predators. A well-known tiger on your lap could give a good Facebook photo, but it promotes deeply unethical practices.

When you go to Safari or visit national parks, you will take additional precautions to ensure that the animals are treated correctly and that the tour guides do not bother or press the wild animals. Always try to hire certified tour operators who adhere to international conventions.

Alt = "Opportunities to travel to green wild animals"> Atlas & Boots Respect wild animals: Never ride on elephants or stroke sedated predators

No matter whether you are traveling away from the hiking trails, feed wild animals or pick mussels on the beach, never break the local rules. These are designed to limit the effects of tourism, and it depends on the local environment that they are kept.

8. Where possible on the land path

Can you take a bus or better train instead of rental cars or flight? If possible, select shorter routes on foot, by bike or even by canoe! If you have to drive, try to form carpools with fellow travelers. Some cities even have electric taxi services.

alt = "Simple ways to travel environmentally friendly over land"> Dream time If possible, avoid flying and consider carpooling

travel destinations such as the Galápagos Islands or Greenland are massively affected by increasing tourism numbers and require a conscientious visit from visitors.

9. Reuse hotel towels

hotels will argue that their motivation is to protect the environment, but they can be sure that they are more careful. Regardless of this, the reuse of towels is more environmentally friendly. Therefore, follow your hotelier's recommendation to reuse towels and not to wash and have them replaced every day. Just think: how often do you wash your towels at home?

Alt = “Simple travel options Green Hotel towels”> Atlas & Boots The Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai washes the clothes from the city's hotels

10. Eat foods from the region

a child's play really. Ingredients from the region will not only taste much better (because they are fresher and are probably prepared by locals who know their own kitchen), but also leave a much smaller CO2 footprint. Under no circumstances eat endangered species such as turtles, sharks, carius or overfished salmon species.

alt = "If possible, eat food from the region"> Atlas & Boots If possible, eat food from the region

Mission statement: Dreamstime

 .