Travel is good for the soul. Not only is it fun to experience new places, but it’s also fulfilling on a personal level. Taking a trip with your family or with friends can also bring you closer together. The benefits of changing up your environment are many, but the problem is that traveling can often have a negative effect on the environment. Mitigate your travel-related carbon footprint by choosing conscientious methods of getting from here to there.
Choose the Most Direct Flight
Airplanes in flight release a lot of carbon dioxide. A round-trip flight from New York to San Francisco emits a staggering two metric tons. Most of these emissions occur during takeoff and landing. If you’re flying from here to there, choose the most direct route possible. Nonstop flights can sometimes cost a little more than connecting flights, but the tradeoff is that you’ll save time and ensure a more comfortable travel experience, in addition to helping the environment.
Fly Conscientiously
Air travel has become a lot more efficient in the past 15 years. According to a professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, airlines all over the world have worked tirelessly to come up with new ways to save energy and, in turn, save themselves money. As of the year 2000, the average amount of energy per passenger it takes to move an aircraft is now lower than the amount it takes per passenger in a car.
There are other ways to make sure your flight makes the smallest possible environmental impact. For instance, fly economy instead of business class. Because they take up more space, first-class seats leave a carbon footprint up to nine times larger than those in coach. Additionally, planes with more seats produce smaller per-passenger greenhouse gas emissions, and — fortunately for consumers — these seats tend to have the lowest ticket costs.
Take the Train
If you’re traveling a relatively short distance, air travel may not be the most environmentally friendly option. Many regions have created enormously efficient train travel systems. For example, if you’re traveling between European countries, you can choose between any of a number of high-speed electric rail lines, which reach all across the continent. Studies have also shown that non-electric passenger trains are a greener choice for shorter trips of 500 miles or less. However, as with planes, the efficiency of train travel depends on the number of riders. A higher passenger count means fewer fossil fuel emissions per passenger.
Take a Road Trip
A road trip can be a great way to travel as a group, especially since it’s relatively inexpensive. Driving from one point to another can incorporate a number of fun and interesting stops along the way. Just make sure you turn off your car whenever you stop. Idling uses up to a half-gallon of gas per hour and doesn’t actually reduce ignition-related emissions.
To minimize your carbon footprint on the road, travel in an eco-friendly car. Not only will great gas mileage save you money, it will also significantly lower your emissions. To improve prospects even further, pack as lightly as possible to reduce the overall weight of your vehicle, which can cause drag. If you can, keep luggage inside the car. Roof racks can reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent.
Travel Carbon-Neutral
Carbon offsetting has become a popular part of the solution. Start by estimating your trip’s carbon footprint. The calculator will also tell you how much it costs to plant enough trees to remove an equivalent amount of carbon from the atmosphere. For example, the cost to offset a one-way flight from New York City to San Francisco is just under $12, the equivalent of planting 21 urban trees.
Major airlines all over the world are beginning to do their part by implementing voluntary carbon offset programs. Delta was the first U.S.-based airline to offer a carbon offset program, but many others have followed suit. You can also invest in this solution on your own for other modes of transportation using other versions of the same calculator. For example, purchase carbon offsets to replace energy that was used via public transit or through driving.
Final Thoughts
While some of these methods involve spending a little extra, some can actually help you save money, which can free up finances for other things. For example, by flying economy instead of business class, you can contribute a small amount of your savings to a carbon offset program. Similarly, while an eco-friendly vehicle has a large upfront cost, the amount you’ll save over time in gas mileage will be worth it. Take the big picture into account as you make your plans, and you’ll find the right way to minimize your carbon footprint while sticking to your budget.