Green Travel 101
Exploration and travel can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but depending on the destination, what you do, and how you get there, travelling can be quite taxing on the environment, sensitive wildlife, and communities.
What’s an eco-conscious, philanthropic, globetrotter to do?
AHAALiving.com has rounded up our favourite environmentally friendly and socially responsible travel companies, as well as tips on how to offset your carbon footprint and resources on what you can do to travel responsibly.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, made in order to compensate or offset an emission made elsewhere.
Carbon offsetting doesn’t have to be restricted to big-ticket adventures – AHAALiving.com co-founder Howard Chang purchases offsets whenever he travels (business trips included) through Less.ca, Canada’s highest quality carbon offset program and sister company to Bullfrog Power.
Buying into the right carbon offset program can be tricky, so here is an easy-to-follow guide from The David Suzuki Foundation, which includes their recommended carbon offset providers.
Our Favourite Eco-Minded Tourism Companies
Besides doing their part in the field to preserve and sustain the world’s unique cultures and delicate environments, Mountain Travel Sobek supports a number of worthy organizations that contribute to the betterment of societies around the world, like The Wildlife Trusts, WildAid, and The Fund For The Tiger – to name a few.
Responsible Travel ensures holidays that take into consideration the effects on local communities and culture as well as wildlife conservation and the environment. They also have initiatives for staff volunteering, minimizing their carbon footprint, and giving back to local communities. You can choose an eco-holiday on every continent on the globe, with trips ranging from gorilla safaris and marine conservation, to watching the Northern Lights and whale watching. They also offer tailor-made adventures specific to your needs, like vegan-friendly meals and accommodation.
National Geographic Expeditions
National Geographic is committed to sustaining the character and integrity of each place they visit, from environment and culture, to the heritage and well-being of the local residents of each expedition site. Their trips range from exploring the ancient temples of Bhutan by foot, to two-week seafaring adventures in the Canadian artic, and every continent in between.
Canadian-based B&R offers international eco-minded tours for the adventurers that like their exploration with a side of fine dining and silky sheets at the end of the day. They offer both guided and self-guided trips on nearly every continent, specializing in family, walking, and cycling tours.
Bon voyage!
