Destination Sustainable

Whether visiting Grandma’s house or escaping to the tropics, winter is a great time to get away.  By 2020 it is estimated that 1.5 billion people will be travelling each year.[1]   Unfortunately, as we travel through the skies, across oceans, up mountains and down highways, we leave our carbon footprint behind.  The good news is that by changing the way we think about how, where and why we travel it becomes easy to soften the imprint we leave behind.

Getting There and Around

Almost every form of motorized travel creates greenhouse gas emissions, but air travel is the most intensive.  So whenever possible try to walk, cycle, bus, train, use public transportation or rent hybrid vehicles.

For those times when we must board a plane, we can reduce our impact by:

• booking direct flights as planes burn most fuel during takeoff and landing
• booking economy seating as a first class seat takes up to 50 per cent more space and thus accounts for up to 50 per cent more emissions
• packing light as a lighter plane burns less fuel
• purchasing offsets from companies that invest in projects to reduce emissions or using Aeroplan miles to offset flight emissions through the Aeroplan Green it up program

Where to Stay and Play

The closer we stay to home, the less we will emit.  But whether travelling locally or abroad, we can reduce our impact by visiting establishments that participate in an environmental rating program like Green Key or Audubon Green Leaf.  These facilities offer eco-friendly, energy-efficient services such as:

• linen reuse programs
• low-flow showers, faucets and toilets
• energy-efficient lighting and appliances
• waste reduction alternatives like recycling bins, cloth napkins and water bottle refilling stations       
• alternative energy sources like solar heated pools and natural lighting.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Aurum Lodge in the Rocky Mountains are two great eco-friendly facilities right here in the province.  There are also plenty of options abroad, such as recognized geotourism destinations like Honduras, Norway and Romania. 

Before you go

Prior to getting on that bus or boat, remember that there are also things we can do at home to improve the energy-efficiency of our vacation, including:

• recycling packaging from things we have purchased for the trip
• turning the heat down to 12 or 13 degrees Celsius
• turning off lights or installing timers on them
• turning the refrigerator down to a low setting
• unplugging unneeded electronics to avoid energy drain from phantom loads

So next time you pull out that suitcase, keep in mind all the ways that you can be a thoughtful traveler.

[1] Wheeler, T 2007, Loved to Death, Lonely Planet, viewed 10 January 2008,  www.lonelyplanet.com/responsibletravel/overview.cfm