Stepping off the plane at Manchester Airport will usher me into three months of travel with a carbon footprint that can’t be ignored. There are certainly alternatives to the window-seat view of the Atlantic Ocean, but none of them are realistic for me as a university student with a budget. Therefore, it’s up to me to make my time in the UK as sustainable as possible to offset the impacts of flying.
The first thing to prioritize will be the other transportation I use. While the plane is unavoidable, the UK offers a number of alternative modes of transportation which I’m genuinely excited to use. Lancaster University is a short walk away from town, so whenever the weather permits I’ll take that opportunity and enjoy the fresh air. However, the bus is a great option for destinations that are outside of walking distance. As I look to travel further — around the UK and into the rest of Europe — it is tempting to take cheap flights because of how quick they’d be. Instead, trains will be my go-to method of getting around at longer distances. I’ll get a rail card and spend a few extra hours knitting, looking out of the window, or snoozing — more than worth it for the knowledge that I’m balancing my carbon footprint.
Another strategy I’ll use to travel responsibly is sourcing my essentials. I’ll travel with some necessities, but when I arrive in England I won’t immediately take a shopping spree to purchase everything else. Rather, I’ll make use of Lancaster University’s Don’t Ditch It project, in which previous students donate unneeded items. I’ll source whatever I can from this project to ensure that waste is prevented, and when I leave, my supplies will return here to help the next students live sustainably on campus. As I continue to shop throughout the semester, I’ll focus in on secondhand stores and thrifting opportunities, as well as finding locally grown and prepared food in order to reduce carbon footprint. Not only will my purchasing habits contribute to the community, but it’ll be a great way to learn more about the food, culture, and quirks of the place I’m visiting!
Finally, I will do my part to make sure that I sightsee responsibly. I’ll avoid interacting with the plants and wildlife I encounter to preserve natural habitats, but I’ll keep an eye out for traces of human activity. Whether hiking in the Lake District or sightseeing at the Lancaster Castle, I’ll scan for litter that I can take care of, even if it’s not mine. In this way, I hope to leave only a positive impact on the places I visit while I study abroad.
When I touch back down in the United States, my work of living a sustainable life won’t be over. Still, the novelty of travel will be an opportunity to look critically at my interactions with the natural world. Throughout my travel, I’ll make intentional sustainability a habit.
