Travelling the world often invokes a passion for sustainability. Seeing the diversity offered on this planet can manifest into a desire to protect and preserve it.
If you are reading this blog, it’s more than likely that you are quite fond of this gargantuan sphere in space that we call home. You wish to see and experience all that it has to offer - worldwide destinations, breathtaking views, incredible people, decadent cuisines, rich history, architecture, and cultures. But what we tend to forget is that Earth’s resources are finite, and if life is left unchecked, life itself will cease to exist.
That got dark pretty fast, didn’t it? But that’s the thing about sustainability - it’s not all “reduce, reuse, recycle” and butterflies. If our responsibilities as human beings living on this precious planet are left unchecked, sustainability is a question of our existence, period.
For the avid traveller, practicing a sustainable lifestyle differs from the average household. Travelling sustainably insinuates that one is aware of the impact that tourism has on the environment, and therefore adopts responsible practices that reduce and/or eliminate these effects. Throughout this article, we will highlight the best practices that will help you tread carefully when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint.
One can break down these practices into three separate categories:
- Environmental
- Social
- Economical
Environmental
This pillar, if you will, focuses on reducing the negative impacts directly related to our physical environment. This includes minimising our carbon footprint, using sustainable materials, conserving water, and protecting wildlife.
- Packing eco-friendly essentials such as reusable water bottles, tote bags and toiletries can go a long way.
- Although there are inevitable factors such as plane rides to transport you to your desired destination, try to opt for direct flights. Otherwise in terms of transportation - use those legs! Walk, bike, and take transit when possible.
- Booking eco-friendly accommodations is also key. With Boundless Life, Instead of tearing down buildings, we take pride in finding hidden gems and abandoned historic sites and simply renovate these structures to create homes for our families.
- With tourism also comes unethical wildlife tours and excursions - research beforehand is crucial to scope out responsible animal tourism. Generally, if you are allowed to touch, cuddle, or ride the animals, this is a red flag - especially if the animal in question paired with human contact is simply unnatural. Opt for sanctuaries and rescue farms where are furry friends are in good hands.
- Purchasing local products as well as food requires less packaging and does not involve as much transportation, while also guaranteeing freshness and quality. Avoid imported foods and products at all costs, as they are most likely transported from far away hence increasing carbon emissions. Local experiences are also a great way to meet the inspired and hospitable locals of a community who will be enthusiastic about you trying their home-made food and products.
Social
The social pillar has everything to do with the local community and our impressionable impact on it. When one travels, one automatically becomes a part of the place that we are visiting, and who we talk to and where we spend our money can either be a part of the solution or the problem.
From a social aspect, seeking out local experiences will make all the difference. With Boundless Life, there is no need for you to actually take upon this task, as our community managers plan out weekly local activities and experiences for you and your family.
While showing respect for the culture of local communities may not be the first thing you think about when it comes to sustainability, it inevitably aids to the conservation of a heritage. Interaction with the locals can be considered one of the most rewarding aspects of sustainable travel, as it helps to preserve traditions passed down from generation to generation.
Travellers who wish to serve an admirable purpose while living abroad are also encouraged to participate in activities that give back. Boundless Life will be providing our families with volunteer initiatives so that not only will you be reducing your negative impact on the environment, but adding to it in a positive manner.
Economical
When it comes to sustainable travel, the economic pillar describes the use of our money being positively contributed towards the local economy.
It is no surprise that the mainstream tourism industry is downright detrimental to our environment. While on “vacation” (which is a high contrast from living the Boundless Life), we take more showers, eat more food, and accumulate more waste essentially becoming our planet’s worst nightmare - the unconscious consumer. Then there are the all-inclusive packages and cruise lines which ensure that our money goes straight into the tourism industry’s pocket while staying well out of the local community’s.
Local tours, programs, restaurants, and excursions are the most responsible way to give back to the community and ensure that your money is infused back into the local economy.
Be mindful of where your money goes.
Travel Slow
Slow traveling has been named the most responsible way to travel - with fewer flights and commute rides involved, the obvious benefit is that it reduces your carbon footprint. By sticking to exploring one destination instead of flying around to multiple destinations in a short period of time, you also get to live like a local and contribute to the local economy. Unlike regular tourism which has been proven to be detrimental to our planet (click here to read all about the negative impacts of tourism), slow traveling means that you actually live with the local community and therefore act less like an unconscious consumer AKA tourist and more like a friendly neighbor.
Boundless Education Sustainable Efforts
Sustainability is a huge part of the Boundless classroom. Our students are given the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as learning themes, which are environmental, social, and economic topics and issues that are used in an age-appropriate manner. Various activities around climate change, pollution, world hunger, and more are integrated into our school system and as a result, students gain compassion and empathy for the environment and genuinely want to be a part of the sustainable revolution. Our Explorers spend a significant amount of time outdoors and are taught to live in harmony with nature and all of Earth’s inhabitants. Our students are also fed plant-based lunches and snacks as a part of their meal plan.
Last but not least, it is important to speak up for our planet! Let the tourism industry know that you are interested if not required to travel sustainably so that they feel the need to implement sustainable initiatives into their daily business practices. Also be sure to share your sustainable travel experiences with friends, family, people you meet, and on social media. The more we talk about this, the more we will push the element of change and help save our dear planet.
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