Summer travels are often one of the most memorable occasions of the year. While these trips are a time for fun and relaxation, this does not mean that environmentally friendly practices must be compromised. With some extra planning, environmental stewardship can continue even when traveling.
One of the first factors to consider is the travel destination, as some cities or areas may prioritize green practices more than others. For example, in European destinations like Bristol and Copenhagen, the government actively strives for more environmentally friendly transportation and lodging (Hammond). Meanwhile, Kaitlyn Brajcich points out in an article for Sustainable Travel International that the popularity of a destination should be considered. Traveling to a site that is crowded with tourists can stress that local environment. Moreover, supporting tourism in such a destination may promote the destruction of local ecosystems in order to meet the demands of travelers (Brajcich, “What Is Overtourism”). In a separate article for the same organization, Brajcich suggests that a good choice for a sustainable vacation is visiting national parks or designated preservation sites. The revenue generated from visitors to these locations is often used to continue to protect the land and animals in these areas (Brajcich, “Top 10”).
Once the destination is chosen, a Yale University article entitled “Sustainable Travel Tips” offers pre-travel advice to minimize one’s environmental impact. This includes bringing only the minimum needed for the trip (presumably to decrease fuel use). For example, they recommend packing clothing that can be reworn and toiletries such as a cleanser that can serve many functions. Other tips include bringing along a reusable beverage container and a nondisposable bag to limit use of single-use items while traveling (“Sustainable Travel Tips”).
Another part of travel planning is how to get to the chosen destination. According to the same Yale University article, when choosing to fly, travelers can research whether a particular air carrier participates in carbon offsetting. Another tip is to choose non-stop flights because this minimizes the airplane’s ascents and landings, parts of the flight which release more greenhouse gases. Other greener options for travel include renting an environmentally friendly car if the traveler does not have one or traveling by train. If practical, public transit systems or even travel by bike may also be an option (“Sustainable Travel Tips”).
Finally, the choice of lodging while on vacation can also impact the environment. Yale’s article suggests researching hotels to see which are more environmentally friendly. For example, some hotels can offer shower heads that save water and lighting that saves energy. Moreover, travelers can skip the daily cleaning services in order to conserve water and energy. Furthermore, travelers can pack up partially used personal care products to finish up at another time, reducing their waste (“Sustainable Travel Tips”).
Several Mira Loma students have been adopting some of these practices, as well as other sustainable habits, during their travels this past summer. Kasey Geckeler, a senior at Mira Loma High School shares, “On my trip to Yosemite, we carpooled to save gas, reduced power usage from air conditioning and heating, and reused bottles and plates.”
Another student, Kai Hedglin, who is also a senior at Mira Loma shares, “During my trip to Fort Bragg, I used my metal, reusable water bottle frequently to limit my use of plastic.” Small changes like the ones adopted by fellow Matadors and those discussed in this article, if carried out by many people, can lead to consequential improvements in environmental health.
Works Cited
Brajcich, Kaitlyn. “Top 10 Tips for Sustainable Travel” Sustainable Travel
International, 5 May 2025, https://sustainabletravel.org/top-10-tips-for-sustainable-travel/. Accessed 10 July 2025.
Brajcich, Kaitlyn. “What Is Overtourism and Why Is It a Problem?” Sustainable Travel
International, 30 April 2025, https://sustainabletravel.org/what-is-overtourism/. Accessed 10 July 2025.
Hammond, Richard. “How to travel better: a beginner’s guide to sustainable travel.” National
Geographic, National Geographic Society, 22 March 2025, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/how-to-travel-better-a-beginners-guide-to-sustainable-travel-in-2023-and-beyond. Accessed 10 July 2025.
“Sustainable Travel Tips.” It’s Your Yale, Yale University,
https://your.yale.edu/work-yale/campus-services/travel/sustainable-travel-tips. Accessed 10 July 2025.
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