TRAVELING A LOT? HERE ARE A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO DO IT A BIT MORE SUSTAINABLY.
WHEN YOU CAN’T AVOID FLYING TO LONDON FOR A BUSINESS TRIP OR JOINING A FAMILY TRIP, DO IT RIGHT.
TEXT LOGAN VERLAQUE
JRR travels a lot. From Paris to NYC to London to Milan, a lot of time is spent walking through airports, sitting on planes, and living out of suitcases. We always try to minimize flying, but sometimes it is unavoidable.
While biofuels and electric planes are in the works, our modern planes are not the most sustainable. They use large amounts of fuel, produce tons of waste, and release harmful toxins into the air. However, there are ways individual travelers can help to offset the environmental damages associated with flying.
Here are the top ways JRR likes to reduce her carbon footprint when in the air.
Images via Away
CUT DOWN ON WASTE
Bring your own headphones The headphones airlines often supply are usually plastic, packaged in plastic, and intended for single use. Even if you only use them once, they are likely discarded for sanitary reasons, turning them quickly into waste.
Bring your own snacks and utensils The snacks sold at the airport and given out mid flight are usually packaged in excess plastic wrap, bags, and paper containers. While sometimes you find yourself suddenly starving and need to grab a bag of chips on the fly, the best way to eat sustainably on the go is to plan and pack ahead. Bring utensils, water bottles and coffee carafes, containers, and handkerchiefs to avoid single use plastic and paper.
FLY DIRECT
Of course, we say always try to walk, bike, or take the bus/train when possible. But when flying is simply unavoidable, take as many direct flights as possible. While the cheaper flight with a short stop over may be alluring, the largest emissions occur during take-off and landing and therefore are almost doubled when taking two flights as opposed to one.
PACK LIGHT
The heavier your suitcase, the heavier the plane, and the more fuel required to power it through the skies. We always try to follow a less is more approach and pack one carry-on per person. Only bring the essentials!
OFFSET CO2 EMISSIONS
If you cannot reduce the amount of flights you take, think about contributing to a carbon offset program, such as Terrapass. Airplanes emit particles and gases, including CO2 (which makes up 65% of greenhouse gases). Carbon offset programs allow frequent flyers to invest in projects that produce clean energy (planting trees), and reduce CO2 production (investing in research and development of alternative energy sources).
Jet Blue, United, Delta, Alaska, and Air Canada all offer customers the option to contribute to carbon offsetting when checking out.
RESEARCH THE MOST ECO-FRIENDLY AIRLINES
Alaska, Delta and American Airlines are all making efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, waste and inefficiency. Alaska has gone straw-less, is composting grounds from coffee served in flight, and is using avionics to cut fuel consumption; Delta invested $2.5 million in carbon offset in 2017; American is continually investing in the development more efficient aircrafts.
CHOOSE THE VEG OPTION
With around a billion plane meals served each year, opting for the meatless meal can seriously minimize your carbon footprint. Don’t forget that meat and dairy production is the world’s primary source of greenhouse gas emissions.
