Reducing our carbon footprint when travelling is pretty straightforward when you have the research.
Few of us probably think too much about the amount of co2 we are expending when we travel on our holidays? Did we search for eco-conscious travel methods prior to booking?
We should now, with a climate emergency in full swing, consider the impact of our decisions and immediately adopt less polluting methods of travel.
The latest data we could find was from The International Council on Clean Transportation, as of December 2022. The figures mirror previous research dating back to 2018 so we can look at the major travel methods with a degree of confidence in the findings:
Generally flying isn't great for the environment. if you aren't carrying much baggage and railways are accessible - trains are much better. We think the process and experience of jumping on a Eurostar from London to Paris is way better than taking a plane from Heathrow or City. Sometimes long-haul destinations are unachievable by train. So you should consider if you really have to fly. If you're over 192cm tall and you have an important business meeting the moment your land at your destination there may be some legitimacy in using a business or first class seat. You should aim for a regular seat -it'll save you money and will probably be better than you expected (on non-discount airlines) and if many follow suit, airlines will be forced reduce the size of their business and first class seating.
In all fairness some airlines do help you offset your co2 but co2 is still being put into the atmosphere and we all have a responsibility now to reduce co2 emissions. The price of eco fuel is still too high for most airlines so hopefully as demand rises and manufacturing processes become more efficient, prices will fall.
Forget large scale cruise ships - they're horrendous in so many ways for the environment. Just don't do it!
Using London as an example, the Mayor has introduced ULEZ - Ultra Low Emission Zones to reduce pollution, so only 'clean' vehicles can drive in town without incurring extra charges. Cleaner air is better for us all. If you've ever cycled behind a diesel vehicle you'll understand. The speed limit on many roads is only 20mph and there are cameras and restrictions everywhere. The city has become anti-car - it's no fun driving in London.
Government is encouraging the public to cycle and take public transport as most of it is electrified and non co2 pollution at road level. There is obviously co2 being produced to generate the electricity to charge the transport!
All hopefully food for thought,
So all we're asking is that, like us now, the next time you travel either to work or for pleasure or on vacation, Take One Small Step and give a thought as to how you can help us all to #MinimiseOurHumanFootprint when Travelling.
(Header Image: © Yousef Alfuhigi via Unsplash)
#MinimiseOurHumanFootprint
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