10 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When You Travel

Every time you are traveling, you are adding a significant number of gases to the atmosphere, which then leads to the concern of climate change. Air travel is responsible for the most substantial part of your carbon footprint. There are a few things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment. Here is a list of ten ways you can do it while traveling. 

1. Travel Light

Every passenger is guaranteed to have a bag with them, but when each person is bringing more than two luggage on the plane, they are engaging in the problem. The more weight the plane carries, the more fuel the aircraft will need. When packing, think about if you need that item and how much clothes and products you need for your trip. Simplify your packing and try to fit what you need into a backpack with many compartments to make transit easier and to also play your part in reducing your carbon footprint when travelling

2. Take a Direct Flight

The bulk of the plane's carbon emissions is when it is taking off and landing. For this reason, you would be dramatically saving the environment by taking longer and non-stop flights.

3. Fly Economy

If you fly first class or business class, your carbon emissions are at least three times more than if you decide to travel in economy. The seats are smaller, meaning more people can be flown using the same fuel.

4. Purchase Carbon Off-Setting

If you must travel by plane, the smartest thing you can decide to offset the carbon emissions of your travel. A carbon offset is an amount of money you can pay for a project that reduces greenhouse gases somewhere else. If one ton of carbon is offset, one ton of greenhouse gases would be destroyed instead of being released into the atmosphere. There are multiple of offset calculators you can find on the Internet that estimates the carbon emissions of your flight and the amount of money it would need to offset them.

5. Take an Alternative Travel Method

Instead of taking a flight, which would create lots of carbon emission, you can opt to ride a train or the bus. Especially if your flight would have been three hours, an alternative option would be easy to find. By putting fewer cars on the road, there will be a reduced amount of exhaust filling the atmosphere.

6. Walk, Bike, and Use Public Transportation at Final Destination

Traditional cars put out a lot of exhaust, which pollutes the air. You will cut down on gas and save yourself a lot of stress if you don't drive in the new town. Walking and biking will allow you to explore and see more of the city than if you were in a car. It requires much less energy to produce a bike than to manufacturer a car. Also, you will get to exercise your muscles while helping the environment.

7. Consider Traveling to More Eco-Friendly Places

There are many cities and places that are incorporating environmental advances. Consider taking a trip to destinations that are less harmful than others. You will be surprised to know that the most beautiful places can be the greenest. Find out what these destinations could be in our World's Most Eco-Friendly Cities blog article.

8. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

This simple act is something that can be easily forgotten. Try to avoid the single-use of plastics and paper products. If you didn't happen to bring a reusable water bottle, try to purchase one once you are at your destination. If this is not achievable, opt to buy products that are recyclable and that have minimal packaging to minimize excess. Hence, be more mindful of what you are purchasing and find a way you can keep that item out of the landfill. Properly recycle all plastic, paper, and glass that you might come across. Most major cities have recycled compost and bins spread throughout the city.

9. Support Local Markets and Cuisines

The best part about traveling would have to be trying new food. But to partake in reducing carbon emission, try to either buy food from locally sourced and made foods. This all includes plant-based, organic, and unprocessed foods from a local farmer's market. Also, remember to only order what you need and are going to eat to minimize food waste.

10. Save Electricity

When you are leaving for the day, do not forget to turn off all lights and unplug any cords. Turning down the thermostat and water heater would help as well. Not only will you save energy, but you can save money too.

Written By Nhi Nguyen

How to Disinfect Your Airplane Seats

Tips on how to clean your surroundings on an airplane.

It is always good to be aware while your travels and to clean your surroundings, especially in a time of pandemic right now. Airborne illness is a concern for many travelers today. Most airlines are taking the precautions and stating that they clean their planes for each flight. But no one can be too careful. Here are some tips for cleaning your area on a plane.

Pack disinfecting wipes.

Get your hands on some good disinfecting wipes before you even get to the airport. Everyone knows how good and trusty Clorox wipes are, but some other brands to consider are Purcell, Mrs. Meyers, Wet Wipes, and Germ-X wipes. These are all good and will get the job done!

Keep your hands clean, and do not touch your face.

Have hand sanitizer near you at all times. Before starting to wipe down your seats and area, take care of your hands first. You never know what you have touched and handled, especially if you rushing to board your flight. After wiping down your area, sanitize those hands again, you will need it. The worst thing that could happen is that you touch a surface then start rubbing your face. Those germs, then, would transmit on your face and increases the chances of you getting ill. Most people touch their faces more often than they think. Try to retain yourself from doing so.

Wipe your area down correctly.

Have your wipes ready as soon as you board the plane. You might get some wondering eyes, but after you get over the fact that people are staring, you will be fine. Just remember you are taking care of yourself and are preventing yourself from being sick. Try and have gloves on when disinfecting your surroundings. If not, remember to wash your hands thoroughly or sanitize them instead.

When wiping down your area, don't forget these areas:

·      Armrest

·      Recliner button

·      Headrest

·      Seat-belt buckle

·      Remote

·      Television screen

·      Seatback pocket

·      Shades and walls (if you are sitting at the window)

·      Tray table

·      Seat (if it is nonporous or leather)

·      Any other buttons or screws that surround you

After wiping down your areas, it would be smart to disinfect your phones, headphones, and other electronics you plan on using on the plane. Doing this, you would prevent transmitting any germs you might have had before boarding.

Let your wipes dry naturally.

Allow the surface that you have wiped to be wet and dry entirely naturally. Doing this, the wipes will work. Read the packaging on your disinfecting wipes to see how long the surface needs to be wet for them to function correctly.

Focus on your tray table.

The most germs lie on that one small rectangle of a table. It is also one of the most used surfaces on a plane. Wipe the tray table first before moving on to the rest of your area. After each use, it would be best to wipe it down again. Food particles never die, so get a good wipe down on the surface. No one can be too careful.

Do not wipe down your seat if it is made of cloth.

Wiping your nonporous or leather seats is achievable. However, you would be creating another problem if you took a wet wipe to seats that are made of cloth. It will not work and will make the seat wet. If you are concerned about the germs on your fabric seats, pack a washable, reusable seat covers.

Choose a window seat if you can.

Researchers say that a window seat is the safest place you could be sitting in during the flu season. People sitting in a window seat comes in less contact with people and decreases their chances of getting ill. However, if you were to get up and move around often, you would be defeating this purpose. It is recommended to stay in your seats as long as you can. 

You can never be too careful when trying to prevent yourself from getting ill, especially when traveling during this new outbreak. You can't control your fellow passengers, but you can take matters into your own hands and take care of yourself. Don't be a fool and use these tips on your next flight. Safe travels, but stay home if you can.

Written by Nhi Nguyen

22 of the Best Short Travel Quotes To Get You Excited To Travel Again

If you are stuck at home during this time and can’t wait to start travelling again. Here are some travel quotes to get you excited to go on your next adventure. Enjoy! :-)

1. The World Is YourS To Explore.

2. Fall In Love With The Journey. Not The Destination.

3. Travel Cures Ignorance.

4. Travel Is An Opportunity To See The World Through Other People’s Eyes.

5. The Deepest Desire of Human Nature Is To Explore And Discover.

6. We Are Shaped By The Adventures We Have.

7. Discovering Something New Never Gets Boring.

8. Travel Humbles Us And Makes You Realise That Your Way Is Not The Only Way.

9. Beauty Is A Constant Reminder Of How Great The World Is.

10. Travel Reminds Us That We Are One Of Many Billions of Lives.

11. Travel Is Just Beautiful In Every Way.

12. Travel Is A Great Teacher.

13. Travelling Is The Best Education.

14. Life Is Full Of Epic Adventures That Transform Us.

15. Travel Reminds Us That We Are Global Citizens And The Role We Should Play For A Better World.

16. Travelling Can Never Get Boring.

17. Travel Enables Us To Fly Like A Bird And Learn Like A Student.

18. See, Taste, Smell And Feel The World.

19. It Doesn’t Matter If You Have To Fly, Walk, Swim, Sail Or Drive. Just Go And See The World.

20. Mother Nature Created A Perfect World. Let’s Protect Its Beauty.

21. An Open Road Is The Most Exciting Part Of The Road Trip.

22. When You Travel. Leave Your Ego At The Door.