We Need To Change The Way We Travel
There is no good way of putting it. Our addiction to consumerism is destroying the planet and travel is increasingly part of this problem. Our spending habits pump money into companies which are more than willing to sacrifice our shared environment (and people and animals too) whilst pursuing maximum profit for shareholders. This is tolerated under legislation which is often far too lenient or even non-existent. Whilst governments, corporations and the mega-rich have much to answer for, there is no denying that we all have an individual impact on the planet and that no matter how much more someone else could or should be doing, this is no excuse for you or me to reject our personal responsibility in this climate disaster.
There are thousands of actions, big and small, which an individual can take to reduce their environmental and ‘ethical footprint’. There are therefore also thousands of articles, books and videos which promote the false ideology that if we all just change one or two habits then the environment will be saved. The truth is far more complicated that this. We can always do better and we must always do better. It is hard to overstate the impact that the climate crisis has and will have on real people all over the world.
The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of those reading this article come from the wealthiest segments of society. Whilst you may not be Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk levels of rich, you almost certainly live in a comfortable house with running water, heating (or cooling), do or could own a car, have access to the internet as well as a number of smart-appliances and, importantly for this article, enough disposable income to go on regular holidays. This means that you are likely part of the social group which will be least impacted by climate change but which also has the largest ability to mitigate its impact on others.
Whilst travel may or may not make up a considerable part of your own climate footprint, it is clear that if we are to make a genuine effort to maintain the Earth’s environment, we cannot continue to go on holiday in way that the world has gotten used to over the last few decades. As the world’s middle class continues to grow, the stress that travel will place on the environment will continue to increase and the need to take radical action will become ever more pressing.
Before reading further there are some important things to note. Firstly, that the suggestions in this article are by no means exhaustive. There are always further actions you can take to improve your ethical footprint. Secondly, following the suggestions in this guide does not aim to make your travels environmentally positive but rather aims to reduce your impact as much as possible whilst also allowing you significant levels of enjoyment. Whilst there is always more that you can do, there is no point doing so if your existence becomes totally miserable. This article aims to explore a realistic middle ground in which you are able to enjoy comfortable travels whilst minimising your environmental footprint. Additionally, these measures may require some form of sacrifice whether this is financial or time-related. There is no reason to pretend that ethical travel can be done as cheaply or quickly as conventional travel. This is the (literal) price we must pay for sustainable travel whilst it remains a relative niche. Finally, whilst this article focuses on actions that you can take during your travels, many of the suggestions are also applicable to other aspects of life. We need to take action in all parts of our lives if we are serious about preserving the planet, its resources and its beauty for not only our future generations but also for those alive today.
Transport
The single biggest source of travel related environmental concern usually comes from the way which individuals get to their holiday destination. This is most commonly done by driving a fossil-fuel powered car to the airport and then getting on a fossil-fuel guzzling airplane. Some ways of reducing the impact of this conventional travel method include utilising public transport, car-sharing or an electric vehicle to get to the airport. Taking a direct flight is also better than having layovers as planes use significant amounts of fuel whilst taxiing and taking off, flying in economy is better than flying in business or first-class as more people can be transported on the same flight, and making sure that you pack lightly can reduce the weight of baggage that needs to be transported. However, even with all of these actions, the environmental impact of flying is nowhere near the levels of sustainability we should accept.
I began writing this article on the train from Berlin to Copenhagen and finished it following our train journey back to Stockholm. In between the hectic life of working full-time and studying full-time I somehow found a week in which I could take my remaining holiday days. Fortunately I am privileged enough to be studying Business, Ethics and Sustainability at Stockholm University which has given me plenty to think about how I can best improve my own ethical footprint. Having not been outside of Sweden since moving there last year following the completion of my A Levels in the UK, my girlfriend Asta and I decided to book the sleeper train to Berlin.
Taking trains, particularly high-speed electrified rail powered by renewable energy sources, is a great way to travel in a sustainable way. SJ, Sweden’s national rail company, states that their passenger trains release 1g of CO2 per 200km. They say that the average carbon footprint for SJ’s trains (all routes and train types) is 0.0039 grams per passenger-kilometre and that this is even less for their high-speed trains. This is clearly the best way to travel long-distance without destroying the planet. Trains should be the primary option for those of us based on most of Europe as the European railway system is fast, clean, fairly reliable and very well connected. Travelling by rail is often more expensive and slower than budget airlines but the journey must be seen as part of the holiday. Get yourself a comfortable seat (or bed) by the window and enjoy the view. Sleeper train prices are not that bad once you see the price as the cost of the trip plus the cost of accommodation. Budget trains such as FlixTrain and Lumo are also allowing train travel to become more accessible at a lower price. For this reason, if you want to maximise your time at your destination, it also makes sense to book one or two longer holidays a year rather than many shorter ones.
The train which Asta and I took departed from Stockholm at around 4pm and arrived in Berlin 18 hours later. We opted for our own cabin which came with 6 bunk-beds, clean sheets, duvets and pillows. The room also had temperature control, large windows, a table, ladder, bedside and overhead lights and USB charging sockets. Each carriage also had bathrooms which comparable to airplane bathrooms and the train also had a carriage with a small bistro. Although it was a little bit pricier, it was well worth getting our own room given the current rise in COVID-19 cases. That being said, there were also shared rooms and regular seats which were much cheaper. There were also alternative routes which we could have taken on other budget carriers which would have saved even more money if we were willing to change trains halfway through the journey.
In many parts of the world train travel may not be possible. In these circumstances, coaches provide a genuine alternative to train travel. Although these are slower than trains and almost always run on fossil fuels, coaches are usually very cheap and have a much lesser environmental impact per passenger mile compared to flying or taking a fossil-fuel car.
This has the implication that holidays will usually be much more local. Once again, those of us in Europe are lucky. From the warm Atlantic coast of Portugal, to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, the River Danube in Hungary and the Mediterranean beaches in Greece - Europe is incredibly diverse and under-explored by most of us living here. That being said, train and coach travel to an assortment of locations is possible in other places such as in parts of North America, India, North Africa and of East Asia.
It may seem drastic but if you want to visit the other side of the world, and need to fly there, consider moving there for a while. Why not use some savings or find a job teaching English or similar in a country so that you can stay for longer and properly enjoy the sights and culture? This way, you can establish a local base to explore other countries or cities in the region without needing to take regular long-haul flights. Once you are happy having explored a region you can head back ‘home’ or continue with your travels and establish another temporary base elsewhere.
Transportation considerations do not end once you have arrived at your destination. Try to utilise public transport and walking as much as possible. Some cities may also offer micro-mobility options such as e-scooters (for fully transparency, I work for a micro-mobility company) which is a great way to explore the city and get around quickly, particularly during warmer weather or you might be able to hire e-bikes or try electric car-sharing.
In Berlin we opted for a combination of the U-bahn, S-bahn and e-scooters. Berlin’s lack of consistent cycle infrastructure of both cycle lanes and parking racks meant that we were more likely to walk to the nearest U-bahn station even if it took a bit longer. Copenhagens strict regulation of e-scooter and excellent cycling infrastructure convinced us to rent regular bikes and try our e-bikes too.
On holiday, the area in which we can reduce environmental harm the most is usually via the method of transportation chosen, but whatever methods of transportation you choose to get to and explore your destination, it is important to try to reduce carbon emissions at their source. Although carbon off-setting may be environmentally beneficial, it is important that we do not pretend that this in any way reduces our own carbon emissions.
Accommodation & What To Take With You
Once you know how to get to your destination you also need to know where to stay. The environmental impact of your accommodation on holiday is affected by the same variables as those which impact the environment when you are at home. It matters how the electricity is generated, how energy efficient the building is, what food is served, how often your linens and towels are washed, how the building is heated/cooled, how much space the building occupies, how waste is minimised and disposed of etc.
Depending on where you are staying, you might be able to find an ‘Eco Hotel’ in the area. Ecobnb’s easy to use search function can help you in your search for sustainable accommodation. Looks for hotels which have meaningful certifications (e.g. LEED certification) and claims supported by evidence and meaningful action. Depending on the location, you should also consider how close the accommodation is to public transport links and the activities you want to go to so that you can reduce your transportation related carbon footprint even more. Although Asta and I had a lovely time at for the most part in our Berlin hotel, we are unable to recommend the hotel as they were unable to provide us with an alternative to down pillows and duvet.
Perhaps the most environmentally friendly accommodation option is to stay with someone that you know in the area. This can help you save money and gives your access to cooking facilities which reduced waste further. Perhaps a more practical suggestion for those of us who do not have friends dotted around the globe is to stay at a hostel. Hostels do not have to be the grimy, dirty, smelly and dangerous living areas they may once have been associated with. There are plenty of clean, affordable and safe hostels to visit such as the City Hub capsule-hostel which Asta and I stayed at in Copenhagen. City Hub had a very clean shared bathroom fast WiFi, a communal kitchen, workspaces and your own private pod equipped with bluetooth speakers, electrical sockets, USB-A ports, wireless charging and LED light strips which you can control from the City Hub app. City Hub also offers 24/7 customer service for all your questions about the hotel, the city or just a chat via their app. Hostels take up less space which is better for the environment and your wallet. Plus City Hub’s toiletries are from Rituals which means that most of them are vegan and luxurious! You also get the opportunity to meet interesting people and can even rent bikes from City Hub directly.
Remember to pack appropriately. Don’t bring too much with you as this makes transportation difficult. At the same time, don’t forget to pack and essentials as you might end up buying things you otherwise could have gone without. Bring your own toiletries if the accommodation doesn’t offer vegan toiletries or if they come overpackaged. Check the weather at your destination and make sure your closet fits the time of the year. If you don’t have appropriate clothing then ask your friends and family if you if they have anything which you can borrow for your trip. If you are planning multiple future trips and want to buy your own set of clothes or other items, make sure that you purchase high-quality, timeless design, sustainably produced goods even if these are more pricey. I promise that this is better for the planet and is not as expensive as you may think in the long-term. Luckily Asta and I were prepared for the freezing weather in Berlin and Copenhagen as we had packed our jackets, gloves, socks and beanies from Dedicated and are used to cold Swedish winters.
Food
An often overlooked area of sustainable travel is food. The cold December air and Germany’s mask mandate in most public areas was a recipe for constantly fogged-up glasses. Despite this COVID induced difficulty, I was always able to enjoy my senses of smell and taste. The smell of churros, curry wursts, caramelised almonds and mulled wine filled the air around the many Christmas markets. The taste of burgers, doughnuts, croissants and coffee filled my stomach. It is now easier than ever to enjoy culinary delights without sacrificing your morals.
The environmental impact of food can be roughly grouped into four categories: production, transportation, packaging and waste. The easiest way to reduce your food waste is not to order too much and to make sure that you eat all that you do order. This prevents food from ending up in a landfill where it will decompose and release harmful greenhouse gases. If you do order too much food, ask the restaurant to pack it up and eat it for a snack at a later point.
If possible, eat food in sit-down restaurants. This reduced the need for single-use packaging as restaurants can simply wash and reuse plates, glasses and cutlery. Avoiding fast-food restaurants is also generally a good way of reducing the amount of packaging which comes with a meal. If you do order take away or fast food, bring your own reusable container and only request the cutlery that you need - often the hotel you are staying at can provide cutlery. A must-bring for travels of any duration is a water bottle. I love to bring my Klean Kanteen water bottle as the company’s ethics and practices align with my own values. That being said, the best water bottle to bring is any water bottle that you already own. Remember to fill up your bottle before heading our from your hotel each day so that you don’t need to buy plastic water bottles. Most restaurants, bars and cafes will be glad to fill up your bottle for free throughout the day.
In an increasingly globalised world it can be difficult to guarantee that the food your eat is locally grown, particularly when eating out in a country which you are not so familiar with. Where possible, eating at locally owned restaurants which specialise in local cuisine often means that the number of kilometres that your food had to travel to get to you are less. This means less fossil fuels are used in the transportation of your food and you can immerse yourself in local food whilst supporting the local economy!
The final, and most important, consideration when it comes to food must be how the food itself was produced. Animal based foods such as meat, fish, dairy and eggs are almost always going to be more environmentally and resource intensive than plant-based foods. As plants are grown for animals to eat and much energy is wasted in this process, animal products use more land, water and space than their vegan counterparts. Furthermore, animal products have a much more negative impact when it comes for greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. The animal agriculture industry is exploitative of the animals which are raised solely to be murdered and eaten as well as the low-paid slaughterhouse workers who perform a traumatising job with little protections.
Fortunately, the rise of veganism means that plant-based foods are easily found all over the world and can be virtually indistinguishable from animal products if so desired. I recommend using the Happy Cow to find vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants. Asta and I are both vegan but Asta is also allergic to nuts and thus we compromised on packaging and supporting local companies in some circumstances.
On the train we took some homemade baguettes and cutlery in glass containers as there were no nut-free vegan options onboard. For breakfast, I had the vegan option which consisted of a surprisingly good avocado, bell pepper and vegan cheese sandwich, an apple, juice and tea.
Once we arrived in Berlin we managed to find a plethora of delicious vegan options. Our go-to was a small chain of vegan fast-food restaurants called Vedang. These are located close to many tourist sights and guaranteed no emergency trips to the hospital as they are completely nut-free. We tried so much of their menu (their cheesy burger, beyond burger, nuggets, chicken wrap, kebab wrap, normal fries and cheesy fries) and it was always consistently tasty. Another vegan fast-food chain is called Vincent Vegan. There we indulged in the most touristy food in Berlin - the curry wurst. The sausages had the perfect levels of seasoning and the curry ketchup was divine. Despite not being nut-free, the cook took great measured to ensure us that cross-contamination would not occur. Asta didn’t have an allergic reaction, the food was amazing and we both had a chocolate sundae afterwards. That’s a success if you ask me.
For breakfast, we often took the U-bahn slightly further out of the city centre. No Milk Today is a vegan cafe located by Kreuzberg, At this cosy cafe I had a shot of espresso, a beautifully fluffy and buttery croissant and a cinnamon bun if not only to pretend that I was philosopher living in Paris. Another vegan restaurant that served a delicious breakfast was MANA, located in Schoneberg. Once again, I had a shot of espresso, a croissant (which felt healthier than the one at No Milk Today - you can decide if that’s a good or bad thing) and a large plate of scrambled vegg (tofu) with bread, butter and the best cooked tomatoes I have ever eaten.
If you’re looking for a sweeter snack in Berlin, Brammibal’s Donuts offers a huge range of entirely vegan doughnuts. I tried the cookie dough, cookies and cream and the Boston cream doughnuts. All of them were amazing.
Nowadays its easy to find vegan options at almost all restaurants and supermarkets. Perhaps not the most ethical of choices, but as a last resort, McDonalds also offers a vegan burger in Germany and their chips are vegan, unlike in the USA.
Things to do
What you decide to spend your time doing also has an impact on the environment. Generally speaking, you’re better off doing and experiencing things rather than buying things. This is because the production of goods often has a much larger environmental impact than the offering of services. That means that your traditional British holiday of sitting on a hot beach and drinking all night may not actually be such a bad idea - just make sure to wear plenty of (vegan) sunscreen and to be respectful of the locals. For a more tame holiday, walking or biking through the city or countryside is a great way to explore, do some exercise and get around without destroying the planet. Alternatively, visiting museums, monuments and historic or beautiful sights is also a good suggestion. However you may want to make an effort to avoid museums with a large proportion of stolen artefacts as well as fundamentally exploitative industries such as zoos, aquariums and neo-colonial activities - although this is a topic for another article.
Asta and I really enjoyed the DDR and the Spy Museum in Berlin although there are dozens of museums we could have gone to. Walking around the Brandenburg gate, through Kreuzberg and around the Zoo Gardens was really pleasant. The many memorials to those murdered by the Nazis and to the division of the country and city during the Cold War served as places to stop, read and understand Berlins complicated history. Stopping to look at the paintings on the Berlin Wall’s East Side Gallery could have been a half-day activity on its own!
Really the only common holiday activity to avoid is excessive shopping. I understand how tempting it can be to walk along grand shopping boulevards, peaking into the many expensive or foreign shops. Just buying one or two things can be very tempting. Asta and I spend many hours in KaDeWe, Berlin’s answer to something in-between Selfridges and Harrod’s. However, it’s important to consider if you really need a product, how long a product will last for and how ethically the product was made. Most of our shopping excursions were really just sightseeing trips after which we look for more ethical options online if we found something we really liked. That being said, we did find some organic, Fairtrade, vegan teas and chocolates at KaDeWe and I thoroughly enjoyed the fountain pen and stationary section where I bought Diamine’s November Rain ink.
If you are in Berlin and don’t mind going out of your way for to look for more ethical alternatives, Ecoalf, a company from which both my pairs of casual shoes come from, has a decent sized shop. MOEON offers a range of clothes and is located close the No Milk Today cafe. The best ethical store that we found in Berlin, however, was the Loveco store. There, Asta bought a white, organic cotton, Fairtrade sweater from Mela and I bought a Studio Wetter umbrella made from recycled plastic bottles. Both of these items are things which Asta and I have wanted for a long time, are high quality, ethically made and we believe that we will utilise regularly. In Copenhagen, we bought some recycled candles from CPH Green which we saw walking to our hotel.
Another favourite of ours is to explore local and English bookstores where we can. In Berlin, we visited the famous St George’s Bookstore which had a large selection of new and second hand books. Luckily, they had some plenty of philosophy, politics and current affair options for us to choose from. In Copenhagen, we couldn’t resist popping into the TinTin store and buying a copy of the Blue Lotus to read on the train back home.
Summary
Sustainability and ethics are complicated topics. By taking action to reduce the impact of transportation, accommodation, food and activities you can take significant steps towards sustainable travel.
Travel is only one small, but significant and growing, part of mankind’s impact on the planet. In order to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis, we must start taking real action in all aspects of our lives possible. This includes sacrificing luxuries or paying more for them. Sustainable and ethical travel may come with its costs and disadvantages but as it is necessary that we immediately move away from our current models of holiday-making. This is a price that we must be willing to pay.
