As much as we’d like to travel care free, our actions have an impact on the environment around us.

In an increasingly changing world, it’s vital to be aware of how our actions ripple out and affect local residents, and the creatures and critters that we encounter in our journeys.

what ‘s a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. Depending on your personal lifestyle, the lifestyle of your family and the consumer culture of your region/country, you can have a high carbon footprint or a moderate one. There are calculators to estimate what yours may be. Note that if you live in a developed country such as the US, parts of Asia and Europe, you already are a top emitter due to the developing history of those countries.

how can i reduce & mitigate my environmental impact during my travels?

• Buy local clothes and reduce or eliminate buying online before a trip.

• If possible, buy direct flights (non-stop) rather than connecting flights.

• Reduce take out at your destination and go eat at a restaurants/food stands instead.

• Take public transportation as often and frequently as you can.

• Stay at eco-friendly hotels/hostels when possible.

How does azul metzli think of Sustainable travel ?

I think about sustainability in 2 ways:

1) The more unsettled and unhappy we are with ourselves, the more we consume. Consumption of goods and services is how our world goes round in the modern era. However, in my observations, I’ve noticed that those that lack sweetness, joy and laugher in their life try to find it externally either by over eating/ drinking, excessive buying, or constantly being on the go. I believe that the more we fill into ourselves, and evolve into who we were meant to be, we find inner peace and equilibrium which in turn diminishes how much we consume.

2) I’ve come to accept that as a US citizen, I pollute more than most people in Global South (Africa, Asia, & Latin America). Just by living in the US, I consume more which leads to more waste. As such, I make lifestyle choices that I can control. For instance, I don’t order from Amazon, I try to buy local to reduce shipping emissions, I always re-use plastic and cloth bags for any type of shopping and reduce take out.

I’m aware that as an individual there is only so much I can control, so I also advocate for politicizing consumption and waste, as corporations and governments push for the public to consume but do poorly on mitigating the excessive waste. It’s pinnacle to start demanding for better recycling and waste services and pushing for circular economies.

As for air travel, some new alternatives are starting to take off (no pun intended), such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel. But truly, we all need to put a quota on our activities, and this goes for the top 1% more than anything, such as limiting how much you fly to 3-5 flights a year.

If you would like to connect and collaborate on innovative ways for sustainable travel in the modern era, please reach me out through LinkedIn.

Also check out other collaborators in sustainability: Sheri Deneen