Aren’t we backpackers supposed to be green travelers too? We share one common interest, which is to travel around the world. This world never lacks in beauty, it is just that whether you know how to appreciate or not. At the time of travel, we may have engaged in activities which can cause substantial damage to our natural environment. One example of such activities is air travel. Thus it is important for us backpackers to take a responsible attitude in minimizing the impacts on the natural environment while traveling.
Beautiful African sky
Inspired by Green Traveler Guide, here is my guide to sustainable travel and tourism as a backpacker. I shall call it Green Backpacker Guide.
1. Pack less. Follow your airline’s excess baggage policy. The less you bring, the fewer burdens you will put on your plane and the less carbon emission by your plane. According to Tourism Concern again, if the rapid growth in aviation industry continues at present rate, it will become a major contributor to global warming by 2030.
2. Fly less. Try to use land or sea transports particularly for shorter journeys. Land transports such as buses and trains as well as sea transports such as cruises and ships produce less carbon footprint than planes.
Fly less!
3. Do not take home hotel amenities. Some guesthouses and hostels do provide matches box, shower gel, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc to the guests. Leave them alone if you do not use them. This is to ensure that less resources being exploited to replace the items.
4. Do not buy if it is not necessary. To me, shopping is never a part of backpacking. Do not also buy souvenirs made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artifacts such as carvings made from elephant tusk.
Last but not least, be a responsible backpacker and shows love to our Mother Nature. Do not litter in the scenic spot. Do not waste energy and water. Think green all the times. Remember, this might be your holidays, but it is their home!
The Green Backpacker Guide by The Backpackers Place, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Tags: backpacker, travel, travel tips
