Travelling is a mine field when it comes to the environment. And once we factor in the actual journeying, it is unlikely that a holiday can ever be truly eco conscious.
But its all about traveling with awareness… beyond the logistics and implications of flights which will always be the stumbling block when it comes to choosing an eco aware holiday, it’s all about the choices we make when we travel.
We can have a huge influence on how we are catered for and create a real demand for environmentally friendly holidays. In fact, maybe sometimes its better that we go to places with no eco-claims and educate them. Let the hotels that suffer from over consumption, excess laundry and high doses of toxic cleaning products know that there are alternatives.
I just went to a truly environmentally friendly place in the wilds of India. In the Western ghats (hills) where Goa, Karnataka and Maharastra meet, a beautiful eco idyll has been created. When a mine was proposed for the local area, a group of young conscious environmentalists became activists and protested against the destruction of the local wildlife.
In this swathe of land, there is a resident tiger, several leopards and a huge array of other animals and reptiles. However, the local landowners who were up for making some cash wanted to sell their land and said the only way they could save the land was to buy it themselves. So they did. Then the local council said that they were denying the locals the employment that the mine would have brought, so they decided to build ‘Wildernest’ an eco-conscious retreat and have also created a research centre for wildlife.
Guests come to get away from it all, with equal parts serenity and stunning bird and wildlife,
Wildernest perches at 819m and takes in the valley that was saved from mining.
What about in the big bad cities? At the beautiful heritage hotel House of MG in the heart of Ahmedabad, a sprawling city in the core of the very industrialized Gujarat, you are offered a cash incentive to use less electricity. Each room has an individual meter to track electricity usage and they suggest ways to minimize usage – it’s a hot sticky city but they suggest keeping the air conditioning thermostat at 25 degrees centigrade and obviously to turn off the AC and lights when you leave the room.
In turn, you receive carbon credits that can be used in their beautiful gift shop. As the management says, “this is probably the first time in the world that such an initiative has been undertaken by a hotel. We would be delighted if you can spread the word so other hotels can follow this example.”
The magic is awareness. We need to be aware of the simple things we can do to save the environment, whether we are at home or on holiday. Just because we do not pay for the electricity or water separately when we stay at a hotel, does not mean that we should live any differently when on holiday.
Of course it’s easy to jump on the eco bandwagon today and make spurious claims to saving the environment. I have visited several ‘eco friendly’ resorts, who are slightly confused when I ask them what they do for the environment. Solar panels? Rainwater harvesting? One hotel manager said ‘But madam, you are surrounded by Nature’ – this was what he meant by ‘eco friendly’ while another when I questioned him about how they irrigated their plants, told me that they watered their plants with a solution of ammonia to get rid of pests despite their ‘eco friendly’ claims!
Meanwhile the Lemon Tree chain of hotels do make a lot of concessions to create a truly eco friendly hotel. As a new chain of hotels, they have built with awareness and set the foundation for sound environmental practices – using air conditioning systems that are 30% more efficient than conventional systems; natural and energy efficient lighting; timers for AC and lighting systems; double-glazing and insulation; rainwater harvesting; even recycled garbage bags.
Even within old heritage properties within India, it is a requirement that if you have over a certain amount of rooms, you have to have solar panels. Naturally, it is more difficult for heritage properties to conform to environmental building plans, so that is when you can step in and request that your towels and sheets are not changed every day. More and more hotels are giving us this option, if they don’t, make a suggestion.
Top Ten Energy Saving Tips for Travelers
1. Fly Consciously:
Air travel is by far the most energy consuming part of your holiday. Unless you can choose to go overland, plan your trip so that you minimize air travel – stay somewhere for longer for example rather than making lots of short trips.
2. Conscious Carriers:
Whether it’s your hotel or tour operator, check out their environmental credentials. What eco initatives do they undertake?
3. Travel Lightly:
Simply by carrying less and reducing our weight on the plane, we will reduce emissions. Also how much of the stuff you take becomes rubbish at your destination. Pack with awareness. Do not over consume.
4. Unplug!
Turn off lights and unplug household appliances that can be left unplugged while you are away.
5. Eat Local:
Eat at locally-owned restaurants who source local ingredients. Try local and seasonal foods. Often when you get off the beaten track, you find that you have to eat seasonally, that there is not an all-year round supply of avocado or strawberries like there are at your local supermarket.
6. Unplug again:
Just because you are not paying for the electricity separately in your room, don’t forget your conscious practices from home. Turn off all the lights and air conditioner/heater when you leave your room, and unplug unnecessary appliances.
6. Walk more!
Get out on foot or use public transportation – maybe even see the sites from a bicycle or from the back of a camel!
8. Save Water:
Water is a precious resource in many parts of the world. Use the minimum amount of water needed for a shower/bath, don't let water run while shaving, brushing or washing, and check if the hotel has a linen reuse program.
9. Avoid batteries:
Whenever possible, use gadgets that do not require batteries and buy rechargeable batteries for your essential travel items. You can find them on Amazon and other gadget websites.
10. Tread lightly:
However, lightly you tread, offset your footprint – check out www.carbonfootprint.com
For more suggestions check out…
www.ecotourism.org
www.responsibletravel.com