Responsible tourism is finally on everyone’s radar. Discussing activities we should avoid while on vacation has become a common topic in travel conversations and across many blogs.
We all know we shouldn’t support activities that exploit local communities or discriminate against ethnic minorities, that we should steer clear of attractions that mistreat animals, reduce our plastic use even when on the move, protect the environment—even underwater—and avoid wasting resources just because we’re away from home.
Ultimately, we are responsible travelers who don’t want our visit to negatively impact a destination.
But have we ever stopped to think that the simple act of moving—of traveling—leaves a mark and has a negative effect on the environment? Transportation requires energy, and using it results in large amounts of CO₂ emissions. Unless you’re one of those brave travelers who straps on a backpack and sets off walking or cycling, chances are you’ll rely on some form of transport. Obviously, the more you travel, the greater your impact—and the larger your carbon footprint.
What is a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product. In short, it’s the trace left behind by activities that generate greenhouse gases.
Let’s face it: traveling has a massive environmental impact…
It’s hard not to feel a bit guilty after 10 years of traveling and encouraging others to explore the world—over great distances—much like what happened to Mark Ellingham and Tony Wheeler, founders of Rough Guides and Lonely Planet, when they realized that, unintentionally, oops… they might have helped damage the planet.
It was in one of those very guides—maybe during my first trip—that I first discovered how many tons of CO₂ are released into the atmosphere with each flight, drastically increasing a traveler’s carbon footprint.
But I learned even more during the Combat Consumption course by El Salmón Contracorriente. One session introduced a tool that lets you calculate your own carbon footprint.
You can figure out the CO₂ emissions from any trip— by plane, car, motorbike, or bus/train. We emitted 250 kg of CO₂ just by traveling around Vietnam on a motorcycle!
We know that for many, giving up travel isn’t an option—and obviously, from a travel website, we’re not here to suggest that either. We can’t get the idea of another motorbike trip or diving into the world of van life out of our heads. A getaway is always on the horizon.
So, can we actually do something to reduce our footprint—or are we doomed to destroy the planet while exploring it?
We believe you can make a difference. Besides slowing down your travel pace, you can also reduce and offset your footprint in other areas. Don’t give up the joy of traveling (which, for some, is essential), but try to minimize your environmental impact—on your trips and throughout the year.
Here are a few ideas we’ve come up with:
In other words, cover fewer miles. This is the most important point for us. If you cram three countries into a two-week trip and take a flight every other day, there’s no way to offset that—not even in three lifetimes.
We understand not everyone has unlimited time to travel, and we all want to see as much as possible. But have we stopped asking ourselves whether spending just a day and a half in one place is really worth it?
Motorbikes are great, they offer a lot of freedom, and we love renting one to explore on our own. Renting a car or traveling by camper van… should we give up the things we love? We don’t think so. Rather than obsess over cutting out everything that has an impact, what we can do is balance it out elsewhere.In cities, it’s super easy to use public transport; in villages, you can walk or bike everywhere. Did you know that New Delhi has been replacing traditional rickshaws with electric ones for a few years now? There’s always a more sustainable option—you don’t even need a car to go buy bread…
Have you ever considered how many kilometers your food travels before it gets to your plate (in Spanish)? Use this calculator to get an idea of how many kilograms of CO₂ are emitted to bring that food to you.
Eating locally reduces your food miles. Surely you didn’t fly to Thailand to eat at McDonald’s—or to Malaysia just to go to KFC. Getting a Starbucks in Vietnam? A real sin!
Trying local food is part of the travel experience and a great way to connect with the culture.
And if the most logical thing to do while traveling is to try the local cuisine, then for the rest of the year, we can reduce our carbon footprint through our weekly shopping by choosing local, sustainably sourced products. A very simple way to start is by buying fruits and vegetables from a local producer (learn about the benefits of doing so – in Spanish).
Forget it, this isn’t about animal rights. Right now, animal welfare isn’t the issue at hand, and each person’s sensitivity toward animals is something deeply personal and unlikely to change. What we’re talking about here is SUSTAINABILITY.
According to Greenpeace, “Livestock farming is responsible for 14.5% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, exceeding global emissions from road traffic. Among the gases emitted are CO2, but especially methane and nitrous oxide—two greenhouse gases far more potent than CO2.”
There are many different perspectives on this topic. For instance, I chose to stop eating meat years ago, while Toni decided to cut down. Have you heard of Meatless Monday initiative? Below are a few links that explore the topic from various points of view. Some promote veganism, others vegetarianism; some opt to go meat-free during the week, while others prefer to buy organic. But they all share one common belief: The current level of meat consumption is unsustainable, and its environmental impact is enormous.
Speaking of meat consumption, here are some of the most popular documentaries that cover the topic:
Driving to the gym to run on a treadmill? Giving up meat while buying triple-packaged products from across the world? A veggie burger packed with palm oil? Come on…
Changing habits is tough and takes effort. It’s not just about switching to certified products, it’s about pausing and thinking. Often, the choices aren’t simple. It takes research, reading labels, and sometimes being frustrated with the world.
But don’t go crazy—every step counts. You don’t have to be perfect, just consistent (as much as possible). Set small goals and treat them like a challenge, not a burden.
This option is the most expensive—but also the easiest: offset your footprint by investing in CO₂-reducing projects. These include reforestation or community programs. You’ll find some examples here.
“These projects are typically based in developing countries and aim to reduce future emissions”—although some remain controversial: A complete guide to carbon offsetting.
Behind this website are two people still learning and making mistakes daily. We’d love to be 100% consistent with our values, but it’s not always possible—willpower has its limits.
This post is more of a reflection than a guide. We don’t think our way is the best, or that we always do things right—but we like writing about what concerns us, and this topic does.
And you? How do you reduce your carbon footprint?
You know we’re all ears. Leave us a comment! 🙂
