Dear France, my home for the next few months,
I can hardly wait for this exciting new chapter, living in the beautiful Alps. Gorgeous scenery, poetic language, friendly locals (I hope!) . . . and the opportunity to work in the celebrated world of french wine.
Yet there persists a niggling concern. Will my adventure and my personal gain come at a cost to the environment I so admire? I therefore devote my best efforts to travel sustainably. Here’s my plan…
First, the journey. Aviation results in 52% of the tourism sector’s direct carbon footprint. However, using your extensive 27,000 kilometre railway network and 20,000 kilometres of equipped cycle trails and greenways, is a simple act that will help offset my initial travel emissions. Tools like https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx make it easy to monitor my environmental impact.
Secondly, how will I incorporate sustainable practices into my everyday life? Well, I plan to take advantage of the incredible produce at local markets. I can support local farming whilst practising my French and engaging with the community. Buying sustainably produced food is vital for the preservation of ecosystems – enabling yield without compromising soil quality – in line with France’s commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture and the UN’s Sustainable Development goals.
Buying second-hand clothes from the markets and using apps like Vinted is kind to my student budget and the environment. Research shows that even just extending the lifespan of clothes by 9 months could cut waste by 22%!
There’s also the simple routines I already adopt. Turning off the lights when they’re not in use and taking shorter showers conserves energy and water. My bank account will thank me! A reusable water bottle prevents single use plastic and I’m inspired by this country’s initiatives to combat plastic waste, including your ban of single use restaurant tableware in fast food restaurants from January 2023. Our simple actions combined with public policies help drive necessary change.
Awareness is key. Articles like “ODDyssée vers 2030”, help inform about the Sustainable Development Goals and are a perfect conversation starter for Monday morning at the office (over a fair trade coffee, of course!).
Speaking of the office, I’m excited to learn how the wine industry is adapting to sustainably focused business models, as highlighted by France’s 2030 Sustainability Agenda. With vineyards needing to embrace the challenges of environmental changes, organic wine production represents an exciting, shifting industry driving a more sustainable economy.
I’ll also be seeking leisure activities with low environmental impact. I can’t pass up the opportunity to ski. The ‘Flocon Vert’ label guarantees sustainable development of mountain tourist destinations and ski lift companies are investing in renewable energy. Supporting the eco-tourism industry also aids the preservation of natural spaces for future generations.
So dear France, I may be a temporary visitor, but I aim to live sustainably and leave only positive footprints behind.
Avec amour,
Hannah
Resources used:
Going green: France’s steps to become a leading European destination for sustainable tourism
https://sdgs.un.org/goals
https://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/oxfam-blog/the-benefits-of-buying-second-hand/
