8 ways to be a more eco-conscious traveler
In theory, being an environmentally responsible traveler is simple. In practice, it requires a purposeful effort to reduce your carbon footprint and to abide by responsible travel pledges put forth by destinations.
In 2019, Booking.com found in its annual Sustainable Travel Report that 73% of travelers worldwide intend to stay at least once in an eco-friendly or green accommodation in the year ahead. This represents the fourth consecutive year in which Booking.com’s research has seen this figure rise.
If you're wondering how you can become a more eco-conscious traveler, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Unplug at home before leaving
Before leaving on a trip, start the green movement by unplugging home appliances and adjusting your thermostat to make sure your house isn’t draining energy while you're gone. Besides turning off all lights in the home, shut off your water heater as well. This conserves electricity and also saves money on your utility bill.
Pack what you need
When traveling by airplane, the amount of luggage you bring on a flight contributes to the overall weight of the plane. The heavier the aircraft, the more fuel it burns -- which in turn has an impact on the amount of CO2 emitted.
Pack your bag lightly, especially for a weekend destination, and leave room for souvenirs to bring back home. Consider using packing cubes that create space in your luggage and are ideal for people who over pack or for carry-on only travelers.
Travel by train
My favorite way to travel -- and it's fast becoming a travel trend -- is by train. Train travel is the most efficient and lowest carbon-emitting mode of transportation, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
In Europe, the epicenter of rail travel, you can opt to reduce your carbon footprint significantly and many times arrive door-to-door at your destination faster by train than by plane. For example, taking the popular Eurostar route from London to Paris and back by rail, travelers can cut CO2 emissions by a staggering 90% versus flying.
For those of us without an efficient inter-connected rail network, flying will have to do. Traveling to countries with strong rail systems is not only more efficient (train stations are usually located in a central, downtown area) and comfortable but also more eco-friendly as well.
Bring a reusable water bottle
Nearly everywhere you travel, you're bound to see a plastic bottle on the ground, in the water or on the beach. This not only pollutes our earth but also creates a health hazard to living beings, particularly marine life.
Bring your own reusable water bottle on your next trip, so you can stay hydrated for a long day of sightseeing or exploring. The Guardian reported in June 2017 that 1 million plastic water bottles are purchased across the globe every minute -- with that number expected to increase 20% by 2021.
Your environmental footprint can be reduced greatly by simply using a refillable water bottle on your next trip (or at home).
Say no to straws
Many airlines, cruise lines, hotels and restaurants have already eliminated the use of plastic straws. Some have replaced plastic straws with paper ones that are considered biodegradable and better for the environment. By refusing a straw with your next adult beverage while on vacation, you are making sure that one less piece of plastic ends up in our oceans or in the landfill.
Treat hotels like home or stay at a home share
Besides booking and staying at a sustainable hotel, you can also take measures within your lodging to maintain an eco-conscious mindset. Before leaving your hotel room, turn off all the lights -- just as you would at home. Take shorter showers and turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Reuse hotel towels to conserve water by reducing the hotel's laundry loads.
A good way to be a more eco-conscious traveler is using home-share services like Airbnb for your lodging, instead of traditional hotels. Hotels consume water by laundering large quantities of sheets and towels daily and plastics through the use of single-use toiletries -- although some are becoming more eco-conscious.
A 2018 Cleantech Group study found that when guests use Airbnb, significantly less energy and water are used, fewer greenhouse gases are emitted and waste is drastically reduced. By opting for Airbnb listings rather than hotels in 2017, Airbnb guests in Europe achieved energy savings equal to that of 826,000 homes and reduced water usage equal to 13,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.
If a sustainable hotel is your pick, look for labels such as Energy Star, TripAdvisor GreenLeaders and LEED, that indicate that the hotel meets stringent green requirements.
Eat and shop local
One of the most important ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to eat and shop local when traveling.
For example, many foods purchased at the local grocery store may have traveled thousands of miles to arrive on the shelves. Conversely, you can buy your food from local farmers markets or shop local artisans. By cutting down on those shipment miles, you are reducing the environmental impact of your food and other purchases. The result is less fuel consumption and less air pollution.
Be wary of animal tourism
Whether you're visiting an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, shark-diving in Australia or embarking on an African safari in Kenya, it is critically important that you do your homework and support only ethically responsible tours and operators.
Today, travelers who want ethical and sustainable eco-tourism can find an overwhelming amount of information on the web. Many wildlife tours claim to be ethically sound to lure tourists, but generally speaking, tours and attractions that involve bathing, riding or swimming with wildlife should be avoided. Spend time researching wildlife tours to find operators who are committed to operating ethically.
Bottom line
Travel is a passion for millions of people worldwide and if we all make a concerted effort to become more eco-conscious travelers, we can have a positive impact on the environment. There are plenty of other ways to become more green-aware but adopting some of these suggestions on your next trip may be good first steps in reducing our environmental footprint.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.