Living in London has impacted my concept of sustainability in everyday life. Having moved from Saudi Arabia, where I noticed many people had no concern about their environment, to a city that has a good recycling system in place, public transit and environmental consciousness, I have formed habits that I take with me wherever I go. To me, sustainable travel is not separate from daily life but a continuation of it.
I recycle regularly at home and consciously try to decrease waste, including avoiding single-use plastics and being aware of consumption. As I am currently living in London, I have also relied significantly on public transportation, which taught me the necessity of lowering emissions through shared mobility. I will use sustainability during my overseas placement based on these practices.
Flying will most definitely be the way of foreign travel, but I will try to make more responsible choices by taking direct flights where possible and by using carbon offsetting schemes such as www.carbonfootprint.com. When I’m overseas, I will still be leaning towards using public transport, walking or cycling. These actions will help me reduce my overall carbon footprint and avoid unwanted harm to the environment, in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action).
As a human nutrition student, I am very conscious of the environmental consequences of food systems. I want to eat seasonally and support local food markets to reduce imported foods with greater carbon emissions. I will also be aggressively cutting down on food waste, something I already think about in my everyday routine. This corresponds with guidelines from organisations such as www.wrap.org.uk, which underline the significance of decreasing food waste to safeguard environmental resources and support SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Sustainability also means helping communities. I want to stay in locally owned accommodation and use local companies where possible, supporting local economies and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). I will also observe local standards and practices, understanding that responsible travel means being respectful of culture and ethically aware.
I believe sustainability is about the small, everyday things we do. Recycling, minimising trash and adopting sustainable transportation are small acts on their own. But together they add up to a big impact. I wish to continue similar behaviours abroad and lead by example and encourage others to adopt more sustainable methods.
In conclusion, my approach to sustainable travel comes from my current lifestyle in London. Hopefully, I will be able to make my placement environmentally friendly, socially aware and in line with global sustainability efforts by embracing these practices on a global scale and making educated decisions.
