Green Travel: How to be an Environmentally Friendly Traveller
25 August 2022
As the world hurtles toward a climate crisis, we are becoming increasingly conscious of the impact that our actions are having on the environment. As we look for ways that we can reduce our carbon footprints and cut down on carbon emissions into the atmosphere, one of the best ways that you can make a difference is in the way that you travel.
Unless you walk or cycle, any sort of traveling will produce carbon – but some modes of transport are more eco-friendly than others.
What Does It Mean to be an Eco-Friendly Traveller?
Travelling does not mean that you cannot be eco-friendly. In fact, in terms of the way that we see and appreciate the world, travelling plays an important role. It does mean, however, that you should choose the way that you travel carefully, considering the impact that you have on the environment all the time.
What is the Effect of Travel on the Environment?
On a deep level, travel can have a positive effect on the environment. It educates us, helps us to appreciate the natural world, makes us more empathetic, and more aware of the world around us. However, travel, at the same time can have an environmental impact due to the carbon that is emitted by the different modes of transport.
In order to help you to decide on the best way to travel, it is important to understand each one’s impact on the environment.
Car
For many people, travelling by car is the go-to solution to travel. It gives you the freedom to leave when you like, go where you like, and take what you like (within reason). However, a car is the second highest emitter of CO2, and, given the price of fuel, particularly expensive!
One way that you can help to reduce the impact of driving a car on the environment is by car sharing with other people. Put simply, the more people that you take in your car, the more eco efficient the travel.
Plane
Travelling by plane is not the most environmentally friendly but, considering the fact that the UK is an island, is sometimes a necessary mode of transport. One of the ways that you can help to reduce your impact when flying is to ensure that you are getting from your home to the airport and from the airport to your destination using the most eco-friendly modes of transport that you can.
Coach
Whether you are looking for a weekend break or fancy a trip to the seaside in the UK, travelling by coach is the most eco-friendly mode of transport per person. A trip from London to Blackpool emits only 11kg of CO2 per person – compared to 25kg by train, and 44kg by car.
One coach can carry enough people to keep around 50 cars off the road, reducing congestion, taking you where you want to go, and collecting you from convenient pickup points around the country. Travelling by coach enables you to relax and enjoy the journey, getting to your destination refreshed and ready to enjoy it, and enables you to soak in the scenery as your travel – and you don’t need to worry about the price of fuel!
Train
The UK has a good network of railways, and train travel is very popular. However, it is not as good for the environment as coach travel and can be much more expensive than you would expect.
There is also a problem with reaching certain destinations – some places in the country are inaccessible via rail. If you would like to visit some historical houses in the UK, it can be impossible to travel there by train.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint with Just Go!
We are now in a time where we must be aware of how our actions are impacting the planet. By being conscientious of the way that we are travelling, we can begin to make a real difference in the world.
Travelling by coach is a great way to cut down your carbon emissions, and here at Just Go! Holidays, we have a great selection of different destinations in Great Britain and further afield for you to choose from.