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7 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Save Money

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes 

“Take only memories, leave only footprints” - Chief Seattle

The above quote aptly encapsulates the idea of travel. Unfortunately, the advancement in technology meant those footprints turned into carbon footprints. Travel while liberating and unwinding has had a serious impact on the climate for the last few decades. There is a lot that goes into planning a perfect vacation, from your favourite location, travel insurance cover to save you from any mishaps, a list of must-see places, exotic food, time to relax and get closer to nature. But most of us tend to overlook the impact of travel on the climate. In 2020, when the pandemic struck and the whole world went into lockdown for a few months, the difference was there for all of us to see. No more air travel, tourists, and transportation meant the carbon emissions plummeted to new lows.

In this blog, we talk about the contribution of tourism to climate change and how as a responsible traveler you can do your bit by making small changes in your travel habits to reduce your carbon footprints.

Mode of transport/ Non-stop flights

No matter where you plan to go for vacation, air travel is the preferred mode of travel. Apart from being the time-saving option, it also ensures a comfortable journey. For all the benefits associated with air travel, the impact it has on climate change is significant. Flights depend on fossil fuels and are an energy-intensive mode of travel. The aviation industry accounts for over 5% of climate change caused by human activity. One of the easier options is to cut down on your carbon footprint by opting for alternative options such as buses or trains as much as possible. The frequent take-off and landing are the major contributors to a flight’s carbon emissions. In scenarios where bus or train travel is not feasible, go for non-stop flights, choose for economy class, and eco-friendly airlines to cut down on your carbon footprint.

Eat local

Eating local food has multiple benefits. You get to taste the local cuisines that are made from fresh produce, support the local community, and simultaneously reduce your carbon footprint. When you travel to a new destination, explore their local cuisines and delicacies and look for what’s in season. When you opt for local food over imported ones you cut down on the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the transportation of food.

Pack light and reuse

Reducing your luggage weight by a few kilograms may sound inconsequential in the larger scheme of things but it does have an impact. The lesser the luggage weight, the lesser your carbon footprint. No matter the mode of travel, a lesser weight on the vehicle means it consumes less fuel. When packing for the trip, it is prudent to choose easily washable clothing, go for reusable items, and try to avoid heavy stuff that can be rented easily. Moreover, packing light means less weight for you to carry when travelling.

Walk, bike, and use public transport

Walking and biking are perhaps the most eco-friendly options one can choose to reduce their carbon footprint. Not only do walking and biking help you explore the places you wouldn’t see traveling via car or a taxi, but these are also healthier options. If you have to travel a longer distance, using public transport would be a great option to talk to the locals and reduce the carbon footprint of your trip. So next time you land, look for the shuttle service instead of heading towards the taxi queue.

Stay in a green hotel

Look for green accommodations when travelling to reduce your carbon footprint. The impact of climate change on the environment has intensified for the past few years. Hence more and more hotels have changed their practices and started using renewable energy and eco-friendly products. So when you are on your next trip, take some time out to look for eco-friendly hotels.

Be mindful of local resources

Sometimes the simplest of changes can contribute a lot. Just being mindful of the local resources and how your trip might impact the local environment can help a great deal. If you are travelling to a city facing a drought, be considerate and don’t keep the tap running when brushing your teeth.

Support businesses that support green

Supporting businesses that support green is your opportunity to give back to the planet. As a consumer, you have the power to bring change. You might not be able to do a lot individually but when more and more people start choosing eco-friendly businesses, it will drive other major players to bring change in their practices.

Conclusion

Travelling at times takes you closer to nature. It’s important you start being considerate and bring about change in your habits and give back to the planet. While you are all set for the vacation with your luggage packed and

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Summary

Climate change is a real concern and its impact is increasingly becoming visible for everyone to see around the world. It may not be easy to reverse the change but collective efforts can go a long way in making the impact. A recent study noted that travel and tourism account for 8% of global carbon emissions. This blog focuses on some of the easy steps if taken by a traveler can reduce their carbon footprint.

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