We all work long hours. So when an opportunity for a sneaky weekend away crops up, who doesn’t want to take it? But can we travel sustainably? YES! Because here in the U.S. domestic travel can offer some wonderful and completely different experiences to what you have at home. It’s a big country with lots to offer!
Firstly, why not try to stay local. Not in your own street, or even in your own town, but you may actually be quite surprised by how short the distance need be to open up new and exciting possibilities in this great land. Sometimes we just get so involved in (read: caught up; blinkered by!) our daily lives that we don’t notice the loveliest things. There may be an absolute gem of an art market that you’ve simply not made time to explore, only a 45 minute train journey away. So spend some time researching your locale – I guarantee something you find will surprise you!
If you do want to travel outside your local area, time to decide on mode of transport. There’s a few choices – some are a far better option than others. And it all comes down to the carbon footprint.
Let’s look at a popular U.S. travel route – San Francisco to Los Angeles. The distance is 383 miles, each way. Flying will emit 754 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere, per passenger. That drive will produce 775 (504) pounds of CO2. But maybe you don’t own a car (kudos to you for making that fantastic commitment to being sustainable!), or try to do the right thing and use it as little as you can, so let’s look at buses and trains. Both of these transport options are much kinder to your carbon footprint. The train journey will emit only 238 pounds of CO2, while the coach comes in a very low 99 pounds of CO2. These transport options are clearly the best way to get around the U.S., and allow you to daydream out the window, admire the scenery or catch up on some reading (or work). Of course there is one other mode of transport, which is the electric car. This journey will emit only 160 pounds of CO2, so also a very good option.
So what do these numbers really mean? We need some perspective. It’s a good time to remind ourselves that the sustainable CO2 emissions limit is 2.2 tons per person per year. So choosing to do that short flight or drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles would be more than one sixth of your entire annual limit!
So what else can you do to make your domestic travel environmentally sustainable? Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you forget all the rules you have at home for being aware of your carbon footprint. So things like using excessive air conditioning or heating is still a no-no. Simply because it’s a hotel room or someone else’s AirBnB property, doesn’t mean you take liberties on the environment. When you go out for the day (or night), turn the heating and cooling systems off. When you’re getting out to explore your new location, walk, use public transport, or hire a push bike (great for the environment and your fitness!) instead of a car. Don’t do a load of washing when the machine would only be half full – do some hand washing every couple of days instead. Take your lovely reusable food and drink containers with you (especially as you’ve not flown, you won’t have had luggage restrictions!). Pop all your souvenirs and gifts in your reusable tote – say no to plastic at every possible opportunity! And that includes not using (or taking with you) the mini toiletries from the hotel bathroom.
So you don’t have to stay at home. You can get out to explore the amazing sights and sounds of the United States while still being considerate to the environment and doing it sustainably.
