Travel

Can you really travel and be green? YES!

I absolutely LOVE to travel. I love to see new places and learn new things. I have been fortunate to make travel a large part of my life ~ although I would love to travel even more. But how does an owner of a green business still travel recreationally and not feel guilty? Well, I'll tell you.

My most recent trip was to Ireland. Part of my family came from Ireland in the 1800's and I was excited to see the country. Also, since I now live in New York City, I tend to crave vacations that involve green space and fresh air. Like the rainforest of Panama and driving through the mountains of upstate New York. So Ireland satisfied many of my vacation criteria. And it lived up to every expectation. (To see some of my favorite pictures, please click here)

So how does ones love for travel reconcile with the need to live a green life? Airplane travel is a huge contributor of carbon emissions. What's a girl to do? Give up travel just to be green?

No.

If you simply can not give up travel, for business or pleasure, there are alternatives to help you reduce the harm it causes the planet.

Carbonfund.org is a great website that I used when I returned from Ireland. I used their calculator to determine the tonnes of carbon that my trip produced - 6000 air miles and 1000 kilometers of driving = 1.35 tons of CO2. I then used the option of donating money in the amount equal to offsetting the emissions caused by my travel. (This is over and above the amount I will give to offset my normal emissions during the course of the year - the calculator is good to help you figure out that amount too). By donating now, immediately after my trip, I have minimized the damage caused to the environment by my travel. I encourage you to explore this option after your next trip.

If you are like me and really enjoy getting away on occasion, then offsetting your carbon emissions is a critical way to maintain the balance of living a green life. Just one plane trip can undo all of the conscious decisions you have been making in your day-to-day life. Offset your travel every time you travel. And offset your overall carbon emissions yearly to achieve a "carbon neutral" life. It's important, and it's easy. Try it.

Note: The concept is the same if, for example , you have a large family and drive an SUV. If you can not give up a non-eco-friendly vehicle because you need the passenger space and have not been able to switch to a hybrid version yet - offset the extra emissions you create through an organization like Carbonfund.org. Although ideally you should give up the gas-guzzler or at least switch to a more eco-friendly version - you can make up the difference. Offset your lifestyle.

Resources:

Click to return to Learn