Aviation shrinks the world, but at a great cost to environmental health. Air travel accounts for 13 percent of global transportation carbon dioxide emissions, and is predicted to quadruple by 2050. Knowing this, how does an aspiring environmentalist justify getting on an airplane in the first place?
Having just returned from a trip to Central America, I’m suffering from air travel guilt and researching ways to give back.
An estimate by the Carbon Fund (www.carbonfund.org) states that an average American contributes 50,000 pounds to the global carbon footprint. This site offers an online calculator to estimate the environmental cost of your travel with suggestions on how to make tax-deductible donation to offset your emissions.
This seems a bit too good to be true, and it is. But until better global structures for sustainable travel are in place, carbon offsetting is better than not doing anything to remediate.
The Carbon Fund suggests supporting clean energy and carbon reduction projects, for instance, energy efficient cooking stoves and capturing methane gas in landfills. Planting trees is the most cost-effective solution to capture carbon worldwide, I donate monthly to TreeSisters: Women Seeding Change. With a monthly contribution of $26 dollars, 67 trees are planted in the rainforest.
A mature tropical tree consumes 50 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and releases enough oxygen to supply your needs for a couple of years.
Unless you’re traveling by foot, your commute adds to your carbon footprint. Regarding travel, there is no one-size-fits-all.
Non-stop travel is better than taking connecting flights, take off is the most exhausting to environmental health. The same rule of thumb applies to longer car rides, you’re better off driving without frequent stops, the “cold start” of vehicles causes the most harmful emissions.
In pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, walking or biking short distances is always your best bet. A walk can also have the added benefit of clearing your head and strengthening your heart. When not within walking distance, commuting by public transport (buses, trains, subways) is helpful. If traveling by car, remember that the more passengers you can fit in the car the lower your personal carbon footprint. That is why carpooling is cool.
When my family planned our travel we opted for the most sustainable way we could think of. Eco-tourism isn’t just about the impact we’re having on the environment, but also about our impact on local communities.
Sustainable travels include three categories: ecological (conserving the natural environment), economic (supporting local businesses in developing countries), and social responsibility (education, community service).
We stayed at an environmentally conscious surf club in the “wild east” of El Salvador. The drive from San Salvador airport was unsettling with long stretches of roadside litter marking the absence of sound waste management practices.
I learned that in the country there is no garbage collection and locals burn their trash directly, releasing toxic waste in the process.
The surf club we stayed at was in stark contrast to their immediate surroundings. Refusing the use of single-use plastics on site the resort offered purified water in dedicated bottle refill stations. Air-conditioning units and lights worked only with room key card in dock. They offered locally sourced food and surf lessons from local instructors who we paid directly.
We especially appreciated the encouragement prior to travel to bring school supplies for a local elementary school.
The school we visited is supported by ongoing efforts and a strong relationship to this resort, creating a sense of sustainable connections and the promise of continuing education for kids in a setting where dropout rates are otherwise high. I strongly believe education is the first step towards creating sustainable and resilient communities.
To summarize, here’s how to travel responsibly:
Fly less. Restrict your travels by air, choose the purpose of your trip carefully (research eco-tourism). Skip the in-flight meal.
Fly coach. Business class seats take up more space and contribute greater emission per person than coach.
Offset your carbon cost. Think of creative ways to give back to carbon sequestration projects. Plant trees.
Here are some web-based interactive carbon emissions calculators to help you estimate your carbon footprint and make conscious consumer decisions.
The International Civil Aviation Organization: www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CarbonOffset/Pages/default.aspx.
Nature Conservancy: www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/consider-your-impact/carbon-calculator.
CoolCalifornia: www.coolcalifornia.arb.ca.gov/calculator-households-individuals.
Wherever you choose to go, just know that everything you do matters. Keep in mind these words by environmental legend and writer Wendell Berry: “The Earth is what we all have in common.”
Dr. Hildur Palsdottir
Sol Center, Port Washington
