Traveling and vacationing are a fun and important part of life. Seeing the world beyond the four walls of your immediate community can help foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of a wider, more global community.
Along with all the good that travel can do for the soul of the planet and humankind, of course, there are downsides, too. Fuel, carbon footprints, consumerism, exploitation of humans and animals, and the deterioration of terrain and important structures and landmarks are, sadly, far too often a part of the equation, too.
While the latter components of the list are heartbreaking and troubling, to say the least, some measures can be taken to make your travel a little more mindful, eco-conscious, and in some cases, even beneficial.
Here are a few OGP articles that might help make your holiday a little greener!
1. Top Vegan Cities
A recent study has revealed the top three most vegan-friendly cities in the United States. The study surveyed 48 cities within the United States and compared them using a wide range of criteria. These criteria included the number of both high and low-cost vegan restaurants within a city, online reviews of said restaurants, and how many farmers’ markets each city had. Research revealed that the top three best cities for vegans were: New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Are you Planning a Vacation? These Are the Top U.S Cities for Vegan Travelers Says Recent Study.
2. DIY Travel Supplies
Here we are, in the heart of summer. No more school. Work is on hold, the week requested off. The sweet sunshine is shimmering down atop the rippling water of lakes, the soft sand beaches of paradise, or even something so lowly as the pool down the street. Wherever destiny may be taking us, summer vacation is near, and it’s time to start planning. Or, better yet, packing. However, just because we are set to take it easy doesn’t mean that we can’t still think about reducing our planetary footprints, protecting our own (not to mention loved ones) bodies, or saving a little cash. Check out these All-Natural DIY Travel Supplies for This Summer’s Vacation.
3. Eco-Friendly Travel Necessities
It’s summertime, which means vacation time for lots of people! It’s the perfect time to use up those vacation days and take your family to a beautiful tropical island. Or maybe somewhere you can hike all day. Perhaps you’re traveling to a city where you’ll be exploring all day. You could be flying cross country, overseas, or just taking a road trip to another state or bordering country. Either way, there are certain essential products you’ll need. But you don’t have to rely on cheap, plastic materials or disposable products. Some products allow for eco-friendly travel! Take a look at these 15 Eco-Friendly Travel Necessities for Your Summer Vacation!
4. Avoid Animal Excursions
Elephant trekking, swimming with dolphins, and opportunities to take selfies with exotic animals are offered at resorts and even some wildlife parks, giving people the chance to get up close and personal with wild animals. People are willing to pay a lot for these opportunities that are promoted as part of the ultimate vacation experience, but it’s the animals who pay the ultimate price. Behind the staged photos and interactive experiences, animals are suffering just so humans can have a few moments of fun. Stolen from the wild at a young age or bred in captivity, the animals used for these exotic excursions and adventures are robbed of their freedom and subjected to a life of cruelty and neglect in the name of entertainment. Learn the reasons Why You Should Skip the Exotic Animal Excursions on Your Next Vacation.
As the world grapples with the realities of climate change, travelers too must adapt. Flexibility, awareness, and preparation are the new travel mantras. Whether it’s adjusting the timing of a visit, being prepared for turbulence, or seeking cooler climates, the modern traveler must be equipped to handle the unpredictable. And as always, it’s essential to stay informed, be respectful of the local environment, and understand that the global community is in this together. Safe travels! Read on to learn more about Navigating the Unpredictability of Travel in the Age of Climate Change.
6. Extinction of Traditional Travel
Travel, one of the best parts of being a human on this earth, is at a crossroads. A recent report by Intrepid, the world’s largest B-Corp-certified travel company, in collaboration with The Future Laboratory, suggests that if we don’t take immediate action, traditional travel as we know it may become extinct by 2040 due to the relentless impact of climate change. This prediction paints a stark picture of the future, where travelers will be “chasing the shade” in pursuit of cooler destinations, and iconic places like the Maldives and Jakarta could be submerged by 2050. However, amid these challenges, the report also offers a glimmer of hope, outlining five key trends that could shape a more sustainable and responsible future for the travel industry. Read on to find out how Traditional Travel May Become Extinct by 2040 Due to Climate Change.
7. Environmental Footprint
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” Those words from Mark Twain still ring true. When you travel, you can better yourself and change the views you once held dear. You may fall in love with some destination cities that you never imagined enjoying. The more you explore while traveling, the more it may open your mind and expand your horizons. It can force you into situations you never imagined and with people from all walks of life, you may never have otherwise spent time with. Are you Traveling This Summer? Here Are 5 Quick Tips to Minimize Your Environmental Footprint.
8. Protect Big Cats
Animal activists and wildlife conservationists have long since sounded the alarms of the detrimental effects of close encounters with wildlife attractions. Now there is proof that human-animal contact is not the best thing for wild animals and, worse, can cause irrevocable harm. New research on the popular wildlife tourist attraction known as “cub-petting” reveals the practice has wide-sweeping negative welfare consequences for big cats. According to the study led by New York University and FOUR PAWS, cub petting normalizes touching young lions, perpetuates captive breeding, and has dire implications for the African lion species. Find out How to Protect Big Cats in Your Travels and Help Stop the ‘Cuddle of Death’.
9. Top Travel Hacks
Traveling as a healthy eater is certainly not easy. From processed airline foods to limited choices to take on board with you, it can be a challenge to eat healthy during your travels. Healthy eating keeps you looking and feeling your best, boosts mental focus, and supports your digestion, which is already under a bit of stress while you’re out of your usual routine. The next time you’re jetting off on a vacation or a road trip, you’ll be glad you remembered this hack! Check out this Travel Hack to Save Money and Stay Healthy On The Go.
10. Wildlife Tourism
Animal tourism has been roughly estimated as contributing to 20 – 40% of all global tourism. Unfortunately, most animal tourist attractions ‘have substantial negative animal welfare and Conservation impacts,’ as the tourism industry utilizes and exploits animals in an assortment of ways and places, from entertainment to transportation and from being ‘sought out in the wild’ to ‘displayed in captivity.’ ‘The common denominator to all these activities is that they relate to animals as objects rather than subjects — the animals are more often manipulated than recognized as purposive agents or actors in their own right.’ In this post, animal welfare and its importance in tourism will be addressed, as well as suggestions for making ethical animal tourism choices. Learn more about The Problem with Wildlife Tourism and How to Travel Responsibly.
11. Vegan Road Trip Snacks
Road trips are fun all year long, but summertime is the prime time for road trips. The warm weather makes you want to be outside, and there’s something about spending summer nights with your family and friends that makes this season all the more memorable. During summer travels, most of us make sure to pack our clothes, gear, and necessities. But one thing you can’t forget is food! Especially while on the road, we all get snacky! Having your vegan road trip snacks helps you avoid stopping too much for processed goods or too much junk. It’ll save you lots of time if you have things you can reach for right in the car. Take a look at these 15 Vegan Road Trip Snacks for Your Summer Travels!
12. Healthy Eating Travel
Traveling as a healthy eater is certainly not easy. From crummy airline foods to limited choices to take on board with you, it’s tough to eat healthy during your exciting travel quests or business trips. Still, like anything, where there is a will, there is always a way, and eating healthy while traveling is worth it. Healthy eating keeps you looking and feeling your best, boosts mental focus, and supports your digestion, which is already under a bit of stress while you’re out of your usual routine. Read on to get more ideas about How to Deal With Traveling as a Clean, Healthy Eater.
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Easy Ways to Help the Planet:
- Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
- Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
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- Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!
