It’s often said that if the Earth’s entire history took place in an hour, human beings would have only appeared at the last minute. In that short span of time, we’ve evolved into the world’s most intelligent species. We’ve made life easier and more enjoyable for ourselves.Yet it’s also true that the progress we’ve experienced hasn’t been as beneficial for others as it’s been for us. NASA’s global temperatures report reveals that the Earth’s average global temperature has increased by at least 1.9° Fahrenheit since the Industrial Revolution, with the majority of the impact making itself known from 1975 onward.It’s undeniable that corporate entities play the biggest role in climate change. However, we as individuals can make our own contributions. There are nearly 8 billion of us, and the little things we do can add up to something more. We’re capable of making choices that help instead of harm.Below, Roan Jackson lists a few ways you can make a positive impact as an adventure traveler.
Promote Environmental Causes When Posting On Social Media
Travelers usually use social media to share their adventure experiences. However, social media is a lot more powerful than that. You can use your own social media platforms to amplify good causes.Maryville University’s article on social media activismexplains how social media can been used to signal boost issues to wider audiences, share information, and promote events and fundraisers. You can gather information about issues within the places you travel to, and arrange fundraising efforts online. You can also promote existing events, fundraising efforts, and charities that are organized by the local communities you visit.
Buy Sustainable Local Food And Products
It’s always important to contribute to the local economy of any destination you visit. Buying local supports the local workforce and empowers them to continue on and support their own communities, as explained in aGreen You Everyday guide to sustainable shopping. Often, local businesses are small and in touch with their communities. They’re thus more likely to prioritize sustainability in their own business practices. For example, local farmers are likely to live on the very same land that they develop. This makes them more inclined to protect their environment, and ultimately leads to a greater incentive to use healthy and sustainable production processes. When you support local businesses, the money they receive from you gives them greater power to carry out sustainable practices. Finally, buying local reduces carbon emissions by the limiting transport of goods to short inter-community distances.
Visit Environmentally Friendly Destinations
Just like when you buy local, when you travel to destinations that aim to preserve nature, your support empowers the people working there to continue overseeing and maintaining natural resources. National Parks, in particular, protect rich and valuable ecosystems, and donating to these establishments improves their ability to protect the land and preserve biodiversity.Additionally,our article entitled ‘Over Tourism’argues that it’s not just about visiting environmentally friendly destinations, but also about visiting less popular destinations. Social media-famous sites attract a significant amount of foot traffic. High levels of tourist overpopulation increase the landscape’s risk of encountering problems like soil erosion, pollution, and overconsumption of natural resources. By scouting lesser-known destinations, you can enjoy natural beauty without contributing to the problem of over-tourism. So it goes without saying that when you take the road less traveled, it makes all the difference.
Choose Sustainable Travel Operators
If you’re looking to travel with a tour group, consider supporting eco-friendly travel operators. Eco-friendly tour companies connect you with eco-friendly modes of transportation, sustainable accommodation options, and unique natural beauty spots. Usually, the money you give to these groups furthers their research, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices.Examples ofsustainable travel operators include National Geographic Expeditions, which designs high-end exploration-focused eco-tours, and Natural Habitat Adventures, which is the World Wildlife’s Official travel partner. Aside from acting as tour guides for eco-destinations, these tour groups include educational information about conservation efforts in every step of their itinerary. National Geographic Expeditions also focuses on scouting locally-owned accommodations so that participating tourists can give back to the local economy.Sustainability and travel can exist side by side, as long as travelers make smart choices. Actions like promoting issues on social media, buying local, visiting environmentally friendly expeditions, and choosing sustainable travel operators, allow adventure travelers to enjoy the wonders of nature without causing harm.