Those who know me well are aware that I can’t go 24 hours without thinking about travel. Though travel is a huge passion of mine, sometimes I feel conflicted, as my sense of wanderlust clashes with my passion for sustainability. To mitigate the environmental impact I have when I see the world, I try to plan trips that focus on bringing sustainability and environmental education to the forefront. Here are a few ideas for how you can incorporate sustainability into your next trip and turn it into an experience unlike any other!
Ways to see the world more sustainably…
Eco-tourism is responsible travel that unites conservation, communities, and sustainability. What sets eco-tourism apart from your typical tourist vacation is the commitment to planning a low-impact trip that supports environmental sustainability, conservation efforts, and building cultural awareness/respect.
Photos taken from the same beach off the coast of Japan that show how necessary beach clean-ups are!!
What eco-tourism looks like in practice:
TourOnePlanet is an example of an eco-tourism agency that Tim McGuire founded after learning that many travel destinations struggle to retain tourist dollars within the host economy. TourOnePlanet works directly with local vendors in Madagascar to provide unique travel experiences that are eco-friendly and stimulate the local economy such as learning how to make paper by hand, guided hiking tours, scuba diving, etc.
Willing to get your hands a little dirty? Check out agro-tourism:
Agro-tourism is a type of eco-tourism where tourists volunteer on organic farms and learn from farmers about sustainable growing practices during their travels.
A view of the vineyard I WWOOFed at in France (left) and a baby goat from the goat family I helped care for in Japan (right).
Find agro-tourism opportunities with WWOOFing
WWOOFing stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms and it is an international organization that connects travelers with organic farm stays. Agro-tourists volunteer in exchange for room and board, and stays can be just a few days or up to a couple of months!
I can't recommend WWOOFing enough! Through WWOOFing, I learned how to cook with organic produce in Japan, I explored vineyards in Eastern France, and I learned how to make hard cider in the Netherlands. I can guarantee you that WWOOFing will give you the experience of a lifetime, so consider taking a leap of faith and give WWOOFing a chance for your future travels. Check out my WWOOFing review video below!
Is there an environmental cause that you are passionate about? Check out green volunteerism.
Green volunteering programs are volunteer projects that are geared towards helping out with sustainable activities like beach clean-ups and animal rescue efforts.
How to find the right green volunteering program for you:
The International Volunteer HQ has a ton of programs already put together for anyone interested in green volunteering. On their website, you can filter by country or by interests like:
Marine Conservation
Wildlife Care
Climate Action
Environment/Conservation
So whether you’re passionate about planting trees in Rome, going scuba diving and cleaning the sea floor off the coast of Lisbon, teaching kids about plastic pollution in Bali, or caring for alpacas in Cusco, there are tons of amazing opportunities on their website to explore.
The Japanese Alps for a sustainability documentary project, the orange groves of Sorrento, and a little starfish off of the California coast.
Tips for travelers forging their own paths:
If none of the programs above are calling to you, consider the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) for your vacation. These seven principles serve as a guide to mitigate environmental impact when traveling. The LNT principles include tips like disposing of waste properly, not taking what you find, staying on marked trails, respecting wildlife, etc. Though the LNT principles may seem obvious, imagine the impact it could have if nobody followed them, versus the limited impact we would have if everyone did!
Engage with the Green Tea Community: Where do you hope to go on your next vacation? How might you incorporate sustainability-oriented activities into your trip?
Let me know your aspirations and dreams for travel in the comments section below, I can’t wait to hear from you! :)
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