Responsible (Green) Travel
As citizens of all nations become more internationally mobile, the impact of additional persons in a community can have lasting effects on the environment and the local economic situation. When we become aware of the consequences of our travel decisions, we are taking responsibility for our actions within our host community, ensuring that our visit, however temporary, is one that shows our sensitivity to local resources and environments.
In an effort to develop resources for conservation and social awareness abroad, we invite all members of the UK community to contribute ideas on how we can all travel responsibly. If you have any tips or experiences to share, please email us at EducationAbroad@uky.edu.
What can we do to limit our impact on local resources?
In an effort to develop resources for conservation and social awareness abroad, we invite all members of the UK community to contribute ideas on how we can all travel responsibly. If you have any tips or experiences to share, please email us at EducationAbroad@uky.edu.
What can we do to limit our impact on local resources?
How can we travel in culturally/socially responsible ways?
What is Education Abroad doing to be Green?
Print and Web Resources for Responsible Travel
What can we do to limit our impact on local resources?
When possible, limit the amount of bottled water that you consume, as the bottles take a long time to decompose in landfills and your destination country may not be set up to recycle them. Nalgene or stainless steel bottles weigh next to nothing in your suitcase (when empty) and can be refilled by the tap if this is safe to do so in your destination country. In some countries it may be necessary to ONLY drink bottled water. Refer to the CDC website. In this case, you can find out if it is possible to purchase a large container of sealed, sterile water (such as you would see in a water cooler) from which you can pour your water into a reuseable bottle daily. It can be cheaper and is much better on the environment. In many developing countries it is possible to buy these larger bottles and when you are done you return them and they are sent back to the water company to be sterilized and reused. You can split the cost with your roommate and you save trips to the store to buy water bottles daily.
If during the course of your program or independent travels you will be washing your clothes outdoors or in homes where the plumbing is not advanced, you should take biodegradable laundry soap with you. This will ensure that your soap does not damage the soil and plant life near you.
When possible, utilize public transportation. Trains and buses use much less fuel than airplanes in inter-city connections and allow for a better view of the country. If you must rent a car, is a hybrid available?
Does your host community participate in formal (or informal) recycling programs? Does your city have bottle, plastic and paper recycling bins city-wide? Is there a specific day/time that recyclables are picked up on your street? Does your host family recycle? If so, how can you help them in these efforts?
Water and electric resources are expensive, scarce or limited in many regions of the world, including Europe. If living with a host family, you may notice that the family members turn off lights in unoccupied rooms and limit their shower time. Try to respect and follow these practices. If you are traveling in a very resource-poor region, you will want to do the quick shower: Get wet, turn off water, lather up, apply shampoo, turn on water to rinse off, then towel off. The added strain of 20 extra people on a limited water supply can be significant and prevent local residents from access to their own water.
Pack your own cloth grocery/shopping sack or purchase one in your new community. They are virtually weightless and you will find that these are widely used in countries on every continent. In some places, the plastic grocery sacks that we see every day in the US have been completely banned. For example, in Australia, they are not allowed, as they can endanger ocean wildlife if misused. Keeping your own cloth sack in your purse or day pack is a simple way to keep many plastic sacks out of landfills in your local community over the course of your visit.
Support local farmers when you grocery shop. Just as in the US, many countries are inundated with produce that has been flown from thousands of miles away (using a lot of fossil fuels) to the detriment of local food economies. Not only will you be supporting the local economy by eating local, but markets present fabulous opportunities to practice language skills and/or learn about local food and cuisines.
What is Education Abroad doing to go Green?
The Education Abroad section of the Office of International Affairs is making a concerted effort to minimize impact on the environment at home and abroad.
Print and Web Resources for Responsible Travel
The following resources are not associated with the University of Kentucky and are provided for further reading on the subject of responsible travel. The University of Kentucky does not endorse or guarantee the services or information provided on the following sites.
Low-Impact Living
Abroad View Magazine's Green Passport Program
National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations
Fodor's Guide to the World's Best Eco-lodges and Earth-Friendly Hotels
It's a Green World- Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel Destinations
Transitions Abroad Magazine- Portal for Responsible Travel
Responsible travel, a term often interchangeable with green travel, is a broad term with many interpretations. For our purposes, we are addressing the environmental aspects of responsible travel, as well as the social/economic aspects. This section is dedicated to ways in which we can limit our impact on the physical environment around us as we travel. You should note that many of these ideas are also applicable to travel or daily life in the US.
When possible, limit the amount of bottled water that you consume, as the bottles take a long time to decompose in landfills and your destination country may not be set up to recycle them. Nalgene or stainless steel bottles weigh next to nothing in your suitcase (when empty) and can be refilled by the tap if this is safe to do so in your destination country. In some countries it may be necessary to ONLY drink bottled water. Refer to the CDC website. In this case, you can find out if it is possible to purchase a large container of sealed, sterile water (such as you would see in a water cooler) from which you can pour your water into a reuseable bottle daily. It can be cheaper and is much better on the environment. In many developing countries it is possible to buy these larger bottles and when you are done you return them and they are sent back to the water company to be sterilized and reused. You can split the cost with your roommate and you save trips to the store to buy water bottles daily.
If during the course of your program or independent travels you will be washing your clothes outdoors or in homes where the plumbing is not advanced, you should take biodegradable laundry soap with you. This will ensure that your soap does not damage the soil and plant life near you.
When possible, utilize public transportation. Trains and buses use much less fuel than airplanes in inter-city connections and allow for a better view of the country. If you must rent a car, is a hybrid available?
Does your host community participate in formal (or informal) recycling programs? Does your city have bottle, plastic and paper recycling bins city-wide? Is there a specific day/time that recyclables are picked up on your street? Does your host family recycle? If so, how can you help them in these efforts?
Water and electric resources are expensive, scarce or limited in many regions of the world, including Europe. If living with a host family, you may notice that the family members turn off lights in unoccupied rooms and limit their shower time. Try to respect and follow these practices. If you are traveling in a very resource-poor region, you will want to do the quick shower: Get wet, turn off water, lather up, apply shampoo, turn on water to rinse off, then towel off. The added strain of 20 extra people on a limited water supply can be significant and prevent local residents from access to their own water.
Pack your own cloth grocery/shopping sack or purchase one in your new community. They are virtually weightless and you will find that these are widely used in countries on every continent. In some places, the plastic grocery sacks that we see every day in the US have been completely banned. For example, in Australia, they are not allowed, as they can endanger ocean wildlife if misused. Keeping your own cloth sack in your purse or day pack is a simple way to keep many plastic sacks out of landfills in your local community over the course of your visit.
Support local farmers when you grocery shop. Just as in the US, many countries are inundated with produce that has been flown from thousands of miles away (using a lot of fossil fuels) to the detriment of local food economies. Not only will you be supporting the local economy by eating local, but markets present fabulous opportunities to practice language skills and/or learn about local food and cuisines.
When traveling within other countries, we can learn to seek out ways to support the local economy. As international travelers, we use our money to procure shelter, feed ourselves, buy souvenirs and visit local attractions. Each time we get out our wallet we are making an impact on the local economy-for better or worse. If we understand where the money goes, then we can make informed choices. By choosing to travel in a responsible manner, you are demonstrating to members of your host community that you are sensitive to their local economy, and this is a great way to make connections, as well as learn about the economic reality of your community. Your efforts will be appreciated.
- Ask around for locally-owned restaurants.
- Ask around for locally-owned hostels, guest houses, or hotels.
- Shop in local markets to the extent that you can.
- Always refer to the CDC guidelines for food safety in your destination country.
- When looking for souvenirs, refer to your guidebook or ask around for artisan markets, and take home some gifts made by local artists.
- If you plan to head off and explore wilderness, ocean, or rain forest with a guide or tour group, determine which groups conduct environmentally and socially responsible programs.
What is Education Abroad doing to go Green?
The Education Abroad section of the Office of International Affairs is making a concerted effort to minimize impact on the environment at home and abroad.
- The Education Abroad Application process is now mostly available online, saving paper resources.
- We are encouraging students to share, reuse, and recycle materials from our Education Abroad Library.
- We are developing responsible travel information materials for faculty leading UK-Sponsored Programs.
- We reuse scrap paper in our offices, and use email communication whenever possible for sharing internal documents or corresponding with our international partners.
- All faxes received by the Office of International Affairs are received by email.
- Computers, copy machines, and other electronic devices are shut down when not in use.
- We have reusable cups, plates, and silverware for the use by office staff.
- We practice responsible travel ourselves when we are abroad for business or pleasure.
Print and Web Resources for Responsible Travel
The following resources are not associated with the University of Kentucky and are provided for further reading on the subject of responsible travel. The University of Kentucky does not endorse or guarantee the services or information provided on the following sites.
Low-Impact Living
Abroad View Magazine's Green Passport Program
National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations
Fodor's Guide to the World's Best Eco-lodges and Earth-Friendly Hotels
It's a Green World- Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel Destinations
Transitions Abroad Magazine- Portal for Responsible Travel
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Last modified 09/23/2008
