Kyle Hepp: How to Travel like a Green Rockstar

Many of us long to see the world. We hope to be able to experience all the breathtaking beauty this planet has to offer, including natural wonders such as Torres del Paine or the Amazon jungle. The thing is, in traveling, we are often contributing to the slow death and destruction of the places that we so hope to visit.

So, if you are planning on doing any sight-seeing in the near future, here are a few tips to help you stay on Mother Nature’s good side:

1. Leave any place in nature as you found it, or better. This is the golden rule to follow for any traveler concerned about the environment. If you go hiking, don’t forge your own trail breaking off branches and stepping on plants. Follow paths that already exist. Don’t throw trash on the ground. That might sound like common sense, but an unprepared hiker who doesn’t bring along a trash bag to carry with him and ends up leaving a mess of litter behind is all too common. Bathing in rivers and lakes with shampoos and soaps containing chemicals is a big no-no as well.
2. Take pictures with a digital camera. Developing film takes energy, resources and uses chemicals. Plus, throwing away a camera after every use is terribly wasteful. While a digital may cost you more than a disposable camera, in the long run after you’ve paid for a few of those plus getting the pictures developed, you’d be saving money if you went digital.
3. When at all possible, take the most eco-friendly mode of transport. If you’re renting a car, see if the company offers hybrids. Do a bike or walking tour of a city instead of a tour by bus – as an added bonus you usually get to know an area much more intimately on foot or by bike. Buy carbon offsets if you’re flying.
4. Eat locally. While Starbucks or McDonald’s can be a comforting taste of home every now and again, remember that these places import much of their food and products. If you’re eating locally produced meals, not only are you helping to support that place’s economy, but the food had much less impact getting from where it was growing to in front of you on the table.
5. Choose your lodging carefully. I know most eco-friendly lodges may be out of the budget for a lot of people, me included. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay in a place that’s kind on the environment. Choose a little bed and breakfast or hostel over a budget hotel. Most hotel chains use an enormous amount of energy keeping the place lit up like a Christmas tree. If you’re at a bed and breakfast, because it’s smaller, you’ll be using less energy and, better yet, you’ll have more control over turning lights off and the amount of running water you use. If you can find a camp ground, even better. Just refer to tip number one if that’s the route you decide to go.
6. Number six is a non-green related bonus tip: Don’t be a jerk, i.e. Don’t get sloppy drunk. Don’t harass the local ladies just because you want to get some foreign booty. Do respect cultural traditions and landmarks. You know what I’m saying -- just don’t be that guy (or girl).

While some of these suggestions are basic, it never hurts to have a friendly reminder every once in a while. I hope that after reading this everyone finds a way to take some of these tips into account for their next vacation — I know I will!

Photo by Kyle Hepp