There’s a big argument whether you can still travel and be an environmentalist. A lot of people who care about sustainability feel some sort of guilt when they travel because 8-10% of global CO2 emissions (1) are caused by the travel and tourism sector. However, exploring the globe is a really important part to increase the appreciation you have for the planet and is something which encourages you to want to take sustainable action because once you’ve seen the beauty of the world, you want to make every effort in order to be sustainable to help maintain it. Travelling has made me become more conscious of our action’s repercussions on other cultures and the planet. When considering eco-friendly travel and how to appreciate the world while leaving a minimal impact, I tend to focus on conservation, community and education. For example, I try to make sure to eat locally as much as possible because not only does this help to give back to the local communities and support local businesses but it also helps to cut down on carbon emissions to transport food as produce is sourced from nearby, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal of climate action. One of my key intentions for my international placement is to try and be more mindful about responsible consumption and production. This will range from everything from minimal flights and prioritising public transport to aiming to offset my carbon footprint. When spending my time on my international placement, I aim to make sure any activities I do are eco-conscious by researching companies thoroughly, making sure to note information on carbon footprint and collaborations with conservation projects. As I embark on this placement, my biggest goal surrounding making my travel sustainable is knowledge and using this knowledge to make conscious decisions in order to minimise the impact whether I go.
(1) https://www.dw.com/en/how-bad-for-the-environment-is-traveling/a-64092681#:~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20every%20vacation%20has%20a%20direct%20impact%20on,caused%20by%20travel%20to%20and%20from%20a%20destination.
