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A Colorful Holiday Table with Terraklay + Giveaway

updated on May 24, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Remember those fun Furoshiki style wrapped gifts we shared last month? The fabric used was actually artisan made, hand-dyed napkins from eco club member and ethical brand TerraKlay, based out of Chicago. I love that the napkins can be both the gift itself, and the package–they’re that pretty. Of course, I wanted to show them off in their intended state, as reusable napkins, to adorn a colorful holiday table. They offers sets of Geetha Shibori Dyed Cotton Napkin in six colors, four of which we used below. Read on to see how our colorful tablescape turned out, and enter to win a set of TerraKlay napkins for your own table over on our Instagram later today.

The striking table runner we used is actually two-sided! It’s the Chechi Runner in Pink, another entertaining essential that comes in seven hues.

I’ve used these jute placemats for pretty much every dinner I’ve thrown (and photographed) in the last five years. They are from fair trade decor brand Will + Atlas, and truly fit any vibe I’m going for, such as this more formal Friendsgiving spread. TerraKlay offers a similar design made of upcycled banana fibers.

The green glasses are a vintage set from Etsy that I scooped up earlier this year, and I got the vase at Goodwill.

Back to the napkins. The Shibori dyed patterns on them are really lovely, and I noticed right away how much more beautiful they look in-person versus photos (though I tried to capture as best I could!). TerraKlay’s textiles and decor are made by people, not factories, in India, who have been working in their craft for generations. They also partner with young adults to support their vocational education. Learn more about their team and founder Manvee Vaid here.

Pro tip: Tie scrap ribbon from your holiday gift wrapping around your napkins for cute bow “rings” that make each place setting look like a present!

This eucalyptus was dried up and on its way out, but it still made for a pretty table garland in a pinch. Next time I’ll add some candles into the mix.

The shop offers other artisan homewares like mugs, tea towels, throw blankets, and cookware.

If you’re looking to set a more formal holiday table, nest your salad and dinner plates in between the placemat and napkins. I chose to keep them off as our dinner was served buffet-style, with guests claiming a plate at the beginning of the line before heading to their seat.

Here’s a close up of the four napkin colors on our pink runner. I’m all for unconventional pops of color, but I have to say the traditional Indigo is my favorite here. I love the richness of the dye.

What do your holiday tables look like? Do you go for traditional seasonal colors or something more surprising?

By the way, if you’re considering a zero waste swap for the new year, I definitely recommend ditching paper towels for a good set of cotton or linen napkins. I swapped a few years ago and never went back. Not only does it reduce waste, but meals feel just a bit fancier because of it!

Shop at terraklay.com and be sure to head over to Insta for a chance to win a set of your own!

Ethical Alternatives to Urban Outfitters Fashion & Home

updated on October 4, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Looking for ethical alternatives to Urban Outfitters? This mega guide is all you need! It’s got 18 brands (and counting) that provide sustainable alternatives to the UO empire. And I must say, it’s good. Like we said when we posted about sustainable alternatives to Anthropologie, we didn’t just want this to be a clickbait article full of generally sustainable companies that don’t actually look anything like the goodies you’d buy at Urban.

I was expecting a challenge, but you know what? This guide was actually really fun to write. Urban Outfitters is so alluring because their eye-catching and trendy designs are influenced by (and many times outright copies of) indie fashion designers and makers. The brands below fit the UO vibe because there wouldn’t be a UO vibe without them. And not just Urban, but Shein, ASOS, Zara, and pretty much every fast fashion retailer.

So next time you see something fabulous at a big box retailer like Urban, open this handy list and track down the real deal!

ethical alternatives to urban outfitters

Most of the brands below focus on womens fashion, but there’s also some mens and unisex fashion as well as home and lifestyle goods sprinkled in, since UO has become such a one-stop shop in the last several years. Let’s go!

Big Bud Press sells amazing fitted printed & colored jumpsuits, work pants, undies and more, in sizes XXS-6XL+.

Back Beat Co is all about that laidback California style. Their waffle tops, linen jumpsuits, organic cotton sweaters and so many more totally influence UO offerings.

For those that love a good staple piece, Known Supply is a Fair Trade-Certified ethical fashion brand that offers affordable everyday wear. They use GOTS-certified cotton when possible, and even allows you to trace your clothing back to the person who made it on their website! (Thanks to our contributor Mindy for the recc!)

Zero waste fashion brand Tonlé offers gender & size inclusive apparel, home and gifts, and maternity friendly goods for an affordable price.

Brick and mortar out of Des Moines, IA and online marketplace MARNĒ offers ethically made goods so you can shop without all the legwork as a conscious consumer. They stock some of the other brands on this list, like Back Beat Co and Whimsy & Row along with other indie faves.

Ethical fashion brand Two Days Off has expanded with the addition of a marketplace on their website, made up of other sustainable brands. Not only does their minimalist clothing, which comes in yummy trendy colors, align with UO’s vibe, they have lifestyle goods for sale such as moisturizer, books, and stationery.

LoveFool is a small sustainable clothing brand that makes cozy sets, ruched and smocked tops, and amazing colorblocked wrap tops in S-4X. Their color choices are too good.

Philly based Grant Blvd has an impressive selection of clothing and accessories made with reclaimed fabrics. The selection is ever changing, and you can find anything from upcycled fanny packs (I have this one!) to crop tops to sweaters.

If you’re looking for art and decor as cute and creative as Urban Outfitters, Bon Femmes is your new favorite boutique. This Chicago based brick and mortar + online destination highlights female artists and makers with an expertly curated collection of prints, home accents, gifts and more. Way better than Urban… Way.

It’s hard for us to get through a roundup without mentioning Eco Vibe, as this Portland mainstay has grown to offer so much in the way of consciously curated lifestyle goods (and yes, lots of plants) in the last few years. You won’t have any issues switching from UO to Eco Vibe (who offers the majority of their collection online as well) for your gifts and home goods.

Sustainable Bolivian-American brand Wasi is known for quirky, cheerful, and empowering goods like daisy-printed jumpsuits and playful hair clips.

Inner Peach is another fun, colorful, and empowering clothing and accessories brand designed and made by Orange County CA’s Olga Perelman. Their cheerful goods give me the Urban Outfitters vibes in all the best ways!

Cozy California brand People of Leisure has some of the most comfortable and effortlessly stylish athleisure wear you can buy sustainably. Waffle hoodies, organic band tees, and tie dye joggers are a few UO-like highlights.

PS: I own a POL sweatshirt and for the last year it has been one of my very faves. I wear it at least once a week!

Sustainable staple Whimsy & Row is your UO swap when it comes to party dresses, stylish corduroys, and even wedding party attire. While sustainable fashion is bound to cost more than the price tags at Urban, Whimsy & Row offers quite a bit of goods priced comparably.

Sustainable jewelry brand Milk & Rose offers affordable, minimalist jewelry with an ethereal vibe, all wrapped up in biodegradable packaging.

I think vintage is always a fitting alternative to trendy shops like UO because they are striving for that lived-in vibe in so many of their products anyway. Why not go straight to the source? Mofomelon Vintage curates a collection of playful, funky dresses, skirts, blouses, and more, that are actually the real deal.

Quinta Esencia‘s artisan made decor has a modern boho feel using lots of cream colors and natural fibers, like this hammock above.

MAAARI owners Ivy and Jeanette curate modern goods inspired by Philippine culture, paying homage to their Filipina roots, while preserving traditional craft. While their designs are timeless, they also offer a few trendier pieces that someone who loves Urban would want to scoop right up, such as the Luna Rug.

If you love Urban Outfitter jeans, don’t worry, you can find denim all of the best fits from ethical jeans company ETICA. They also offer modern basics and neutrals to achieve that casual UO look.

Final notes

For one, we tried to choose brands with a similar price-point, but ethically made goods cost more (it happens when you’re actually paying your production team, ya know?), so it was really more about closing the gap as much as possible. Secondly, we are in absolutely no way calling out independent designers and artists who choose to partner with companies like Urban/Anthro to sell their goods. If I were in that position, I’d do it too. It’s an incredible opportunity for exposure, and even though it’s little more than a PR move for them, it gives an audience to these makers and turns consumers onto some original, well-made goods in the mix. The goal of guides like this isn’t necessarily to “take them down” as much as it is to inspire them to begin offering goods that consumers are actually proud to buy.

If you’re interested in stories about Urban Outfitters plagiarizing artists, here are a couple sources:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/urban-outfitter-designs-1.5510978
https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/urban-outfitters-mitjili-napurrula-rug-plagiarism/
https://www.upworthy.com/here-are-5-of-many-reasons-i-no-longer-shop-at-urban-outfitters-hopefully-youll-join-me

Which sustainable brands would you recommend to a conscious consumer that loves the UO vibe?

How To Be More Eco Friendly in 2022

updated on May 24, 2023 by Mindy Chung

One of the many things I learned on my journey to become more eco-friendly is that there is actually this lovely term, “eco-anxiety”. Eco-anxiety is basically the overwhelming sense of existential dread one feels about issues like climate change and global warming. And not to sound defeatist but, when you know that there is a huge disparity in impact between you as an individual consumer and that of large corporations, it makes sense that some of us are overcome with anxiety about the planet’s future.

I know it seems pointless to even try as the daily news bombards us with stories about coral death and sweatshops, but it’s more damaging to do nothing than to do one thing that ultimately compounds into a more sustainable lifestyle. Being eco-friendly isn’t a competition or standard—there’s no need to approach it from a perfectionist standpoint.

It’s just about doing what you can to lessen your carbon footprint—both as an individual and as a consumer. So here are a few tips on how to be more eco-friendly in 2022.

Start small

No one wakes up one day and says, “I’m going to be zero-waste starting today,” and actually does it. Part of the journey to living a more sustainable life is making mistakes and figuring out what works for you. Small gestures turn into habit over time, and by taking off the pressure of going from 0 to 100 overnight, you’re allowing yourself to grow at a pace that you can actually maintain… and even enjoy!

Avoid single-use waste when possible

This may seem daunting—especially during a boom for food delivery services and health and safety concerns—but as the world goes back to some semblance of pre-COVID times, try to reuse containers when possible. (And no, I don’t mean use that one Indian take-out box for three weeks straight.) Consider buying from places that allow you to use your own bags or jars like bulk dry goods stores or farmers markets, and bring your own produce bags for loose items like onions when you can!

Buy secondhand when possible

Although I’m sure most people jump to fashion when I say secondhand, you can also buy goods like pots and pans, or even furniture. By buying secondhand you not only lessen your carbon footprint as a consumer, you’re also keeping something from just being thrown into a landfill. However, not all things should be bought second hand—mattresses and shoes for example collect sweat, dead skin cells, etc., not exactly sanitary.

Become a conscientious consumer

All this takes is a little mindfulness. This means buying from sustainable businesses with transparent manufacturing processes. Buying groceries from local sellers. Educating yourself about ingredients and fillers that may be particularly damaging to the environment (hi, palm oil). I know how tempting it is to buy into the fast consumer market and the shockingly low prices, but just because you’re not footing the bill when you check out, doesn’t mean your actions aren’t starting a chain reaction that can reach across the globe.

Advocate for change

Never underestimate your power as a consumer. In this age of peak social media consumption, regular people are instigating change every day. We’ve seen monopolies fall, and huge companies issue apologies because regular people demand change. Children are pressuring whole governments to go green.

Pay attention to your local ballots. Vote for green measures, and educate those around you who may not know better. Support figures who are passionate about the environment, and petition your local governing office if you have to.

None of us are perfect. None of us can be perfect. Becoming eco-friendly isn’t about transcending your current ways into this absolute zero-lifestyle; I’m pretty sure none of us were zero-waste in our formative years. Living sustainably is about mindfulness and intention. We can’t be “on” 24/7, but being “on” more and more every day is a great place to start.

How will you be more eco friendly in the new year? Share your ideas below!

Starting a Sustainable Jewelry Brand with Pelin of Milk & Rose

updated on May 24, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Starting a business? Or just looking for sustainable jewelry brands? Either way, you’ll want to hear from Pelin Cinar, founder of our latest directory member, ethical jewelry brand Milk & Rose on all things jewelry, sustainability, and shopping consciously. Read our interview below, sprinkled throughout lots of lovely images of Milk & Rose earrings, rings, necklaces, and more.

Tell us your journey to bringing your designs to life. How did you find your manufacturers? What challenges did you come across in the industry?

My initial manufacturer research was based on the reliability, traceability, and the respectability of the manufacturing company. The jewelry industry is plagued by large suppliers producing very similar designs. This became our biggest problem; how do we generate the revenue necessary to create unique designs while placing orders large enough to warrant a contract with these larger suppliers.

After almost a year of many different tours, many samples, and a terrible number of no’s we were able to foster a relationship with a major supplier based out of Italy and Turkey. Both regions known for their craftsmanship. We were able to negotiate a contract allowing for some creative freedom, albeit limited. However, this allowed us to launch our first few collections.

Now that we have generated the capital necessary we look to take on more ambitious designs unique and true to the core ideals of the brand.

We have partnered with two artisans based out of Istanbul, their families of which have worked in jewelry making for several generations. This dedication to the craft and art form is why I was drawn to their shop and ultimately was the reason we formed a partnership. They will produce a brand new unique collection, completely handmade. This is only one of many new products we wish to introduce in the next year as we expand our offerings.

Over the last six months we have exploded, landing in a few different store fronts as well as online marketplaces. This increased exposure and reach has allowed us to begin fostering a community reflective of our ideals. In the next year we look to launch a blog and email chain featuring educational material on sustainability and lifestyle.

This new direction Milk and Rose is leaning towards is actually the direction I have always wanted to explore as my goal is not promoting the fast-fashion / factory made (even when it’s ethical), but more so special items to keep for many years, made by someone who is an expert in their field and make their art with love.

Silver is a precious, yet fragile soft metal that needs to be protected well in order for it to arrive to its final destination without dents and scratches. Unfortunately that means multiple packaging!

While brainstorming for the packaging, my goal wasn’t just for it to be 100% biodegradable, but also high quality and pretty enough to be reusable many times after. It’s one of those things that are “just too cute” to throw out, you know.

The packaging we use consists of a cardboard shipping box, cardboard jewelry box with a drawer, cotton pouch, (paper earring holder if applicable). All our cardboard packaging has FSC certification which means products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. Our pouches made out of cotton which could be used to store any kind of jewelry and is intended for reuse and storage of the product.

Tell us about your sustainability journey up until you started Milk & Rose. Have you always been passionate about sustainable/ethical design and consumerism?

Sustainability has been extremely important to me since I was aware of the consequences my actions make. When I first started to change my actions, it was rebellious or “annoying” to be conscious, now it’s annoying to think it was any other way.

Since sustainability wasn’t the hip marketing technique, I knew whatever I do, it was going to be as sustainable as I possibly could make it to be. Because as a person, I can only change my own actions, but as a company I can be a part of the change of other people’s actions, and it is powerful to have an impact towards the future I want to live in, and leave behind.

This actually shaped my company and helped me have a clear direction and a goal. I wanted to make sure that every decision I made, I could call “ethical”. This makes it very difficult to just release new products, or work with different companies, but on the flip side it makes me really aware of every aspect of a product offer, slows me down and reminds me again and again why I do what I do.

Of course, there are things I learned along this journey, things that could have been done better, more ethically, but it’s also a learning process for me, and as I learn, I adapt, change, and improve.

It’s also very interesting to be on the other side of the transaction: to create “that” thing people buy, and all the power you have in that offering and its final state. Demand is very important, yes, but a product could easily be adapted to sound like the demand by many marketing techniques, which makes it difficult to be a conscious consumer and as a consumer myself, I go through this challenge during every purchase decision.

My company is small right now, but my long term goal is to create a marketplace where people can shop without worrying about their impact because that will be executed well beyond its fancy sounding “sustainable” label, with actual practices backing it up.

What is your personal philosophy when it comes to shopping consciously?

I am one of those customers who spend hours at grocery stores, reading the back side of each product, knowing what PLU number is organic, with pesticides, with GMO. At the clothing store I’m the customer who is trying to find that little tag that tells you what kind of fabric the item is blend of.

My personal philosophy is—I’m not supporting and investing in your business even if I love your product—unless your business has the right intentions and does right.

I love shopping small, but I do shop at big businesses as well, as long as their product fits into sustainable category. At the end of the day, these companies have a big impact on what is put out into the landfills and I want that impact to be a good one.

Vida Después doesn’t believe in the end life of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It creates bright colored natural dyes using the peels, and other parts of the once fresh produce, and flowers. Then uses these dyes to color secondhand clothing and ethically sourced silk… and the end product is just gorgeous.

Circular Bodies is a company that designs wellness products using circular practices to achieve sustainability.

I have been exclusively using Circular Bodies body bars since I first discovered them a year ago. The best soap bars I personally have ever tried. The company’s vision and mission is also beautiful which makes me feel good about supporting.

Frost Road House makes the “old” look cooler than the “new”. I have sourced a lot of my props from this one super sweet lady who runs around collects the items and will personally deliver them to you!

Thanks to Pelin Cinar for sharing your journey to a sustainable jewelry brand, and giving us some new favorite shops to follow!

Find Milk & Rose in our ethical shop directory and at www.themilkandrose.com.

The Self Care Habits to Build Now For The New Year

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

A few weeks ago I was chatting with Tatiana of Zuahaza about their latest decor collection Hichu (photographed throughout the post by Victoria Holguin Fotografia) and the topic of self care came up. Their cozy pillows, throws, and scarves are definitely tailor-made for day of self care: relaxing, meditating, enjoying a good tea or read. But as important as we all know (and tell each other) it is to put ourselves first, when the holiday season comes… well, all bets are off.

It makes sense, right? It’s the season of gratitude and giving, and self care hardly seems caring. But (are you ahead of me here?) we can really only give our bests to others when we feel energized and inspired to, and that doesn’t happen without self care. It’s easy to think it’s fair or fine to deplete ourselves throughout the season, with the intention of turning it all around in the new year. I hear you, I am there right now.

Let me first say that self care isn’t a reward; you don’t need to have committed a number of selfless acts to deem yourself worthy of your own attention. Self care isn’t the solution to burnout, it’s the prevention.

All year I’ve been experimenting with self care activities in hopes they’ll become habits engrained deeper than other less successful coping mechanisms I’ve tried. While each still (and may always) require an effort, there are a few that I can’t imagine walking into 2022 without. Of course, for every one that has worked, there’s something that hasn’t. Self care is all about finding ways to care for your own wellbeing that are right for you. Your work isn’t done unless you are finding healthy ways to cope with and ease stress, restore energy, tune into yourself, and feel good.

self care habits to build now for the new year

daily self check-ins

The most important habit I’ve built this year is to check in on myself throughout the day—whether it’s a work day or weekend. It started as scheduled moments: checking in with myself while practicing better breathing (see below) or while on a meditative walk. I’d try to tune into how I felt at the moment, what I was anxious about, how I could feel better, not just what was next on my to do list.

After a few months I realized those check-ins had made it easier to recognize (and most importantly, pause to correct) when I was feeling super nervous, tense, down, etc. Instead of letting an entire day go by in a funk, I’d acknowledge it, then use one of my other self care habits to cope.

That might be my most important lesson learned this year. You can’t take care of yourself if you don’t recognize when you need care. We recognize it in our pets, our partners, our kids, but it’s harder to see it in the mirror.

self care every day, but not all day

There’s one other hurdle to actually making your own wellness a habit, and that’s the idea that it needs to be an entire act or routine. I mean, how often are we talking about routines? As part of these habits, I also spent the year trying (and falling off of and trying again) to build a morning ritual. Starting the morning off right is the ultimate self care, I’ve heard. But we don’t always have a ton of time in the morning. So you have to fit it in where you can. Maybe it’s only ten or twenty minutes in the morning, then another 15 at lunch, then a one minute breathing exercise before that afternoon Zoom call.

You want to know how to use self care throughout your day, and not think of it has a few hours or a day here and there to make up for lost time.

To truly care for yourself, you need to weave these acts of self-compassion and mindfulness throughout your day, each day. But it doesn’t have to mean long hours in a yoga class, meditating, or at the spa (unless you can!).

pinpoint your favorite mini acts of self care

You might be wondering what acts of self care I’ve been talking about. What’s inside those ten or twenty minute pockets? I’ve tried many, but these made a difference for me. They are acts that make me feel more calm and centered after, and that I know I can return to whenever, even discreetly if I need to, throughout my day.

Breathing better. The book Breath by James Nestor taught me the importance of and science behind breathing correctly. Slow, deep inhales through the nose and full exhales. I finally understand why people started advising others to take “deep breaths” in chaotic situations. I practice as often as I remember throughout the day, but I make a more dedicated effort when I have a few minutes to focus.

EFT Tapping. I learned about tapping on Instagram, actually, as a lot of mental health accounts I follow recommend it for anxiety and stress. It involves gently tapping acupressure points on your own body while bringing a specific stressor to the mind.

Journaling. Journaling is the one habit I’ve kept most of my life, and I fall off enough to know just how much better I feel when I’m “on”. I prefer to journal in the morning, when I have time alone. But sometimes if I can’t sleep at night or feel beyond overwhelmed, a quick journal session can help greatly. It essentially forces you to focus only on one thought (or worry) at a time, and once you start writing it down you naturally begin to release the stress, or think of solutions.

Walking meditation. I’ve always gone on walks almost daily. Eventually I learned that my walks (I don’t listen to music or podcasts) are the best time to be both inside my head and out. I spend sometime simply thinking, letting my mind wander. And I spend other moments observing my surroundings, appreciating details. I’m as intentional as possible, yet I feel free. If you find it hard to settle into a sitting meditation, give it a try.

The best part of these acts? Each can be done for as little or as long a time as you’d like. Often my tapping sessions are less than ten minutes. It’s one of my favorite ways to calm down when I’m faced with a stressful situation head on. I’ll do a few rounds and with each tap the tension eases just a bit. More importantly, it gives me a second to realize I can handle what’s coming my way. Hard to realize that when you’re too busy preparing!

Reflecting on my wellness journey in 2021, I can see that these self care habits have truly made a difference. I’ve built them slowly and imperfectly. But the holiday season, wonderful as it is, IS stressful. Instead of letting the overwhelm build into the new year, I’m staying on it. Practicing, practicing. There will always be overwhelming situations, but I’m feeling a bit better about my response to them now.

What self care habits have you built this year? What do you want to change or add in the new year? Thanks to Zuahaza for sharing the photos to go along with this essay. Shop the Hichu collection here.

How Can Travel Be More Sustainable Post-Pandemic?

updated on May 30, 2023 by Katie Ford-Thomas

Travel is essential for inspiration, innovation and inclusion, but it’s not without its environmental impact. Coronavirus is a chance to reshape how we travel in the future.

Tourism was one of the hardest hit industries during the Covid-19 crisis. Now that countries are opening borders, many have their sights set on faraway places for the first time since 2019. Is travel set to become more sustainable in a post pandemic world?

Covid19 has changed the way people view travel

2020 was the year many of us spent indoors—or at the very least, close to home. With the world at a virtual standstill for over eighteen months, international aviation passengers dropped by 60% during 2020. Locked down and home bound, traffic congestion in the US dropped by 73%, while in the UK traffic levels fell to those not seen since 1955. With the pandemic cleaning the air, causing pollution levels to plummet, many are now turning their attention to how we can keep the these environmental benefits pushing forward through sustainable travel.

Consumer interest in sustainability is increasing, with 2020 a distinct turning point. And travel is at the forefront of how we are set to change our habits. We’ve spent over a year exploring our own hometowns and cities and we’ve gravitated to outdoor spaces as much as possible, becoming mindful of how unlimited travel doesn’t have to mean hopping on a plane.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) presented Transforming Tourism for a resilient and sustainable post-COVID world outlining a six point plan to ensure we take advantage of the reset to choose greener, low-carbon measures which simultaneously protect biodiversity and help to rebuild the tourism industry upon which so many local communities depend.

Travel is set to become about quality not quantity

From out-of-stock products to the things we just couldn’t do and places we couldn’t go, all of us have had to adopt a simpler, slower pace of life. This includes recognizing the privileges of travel that so many of us had begun to take for granted. However, the pandemic has altered our perspectives on what matters most.

For some of us, that will mean travelling closer to home. The magic of our own neighbourhoods is abundant, and no one has explored every part of their own home state. With the shift to a simpler mindset, how we view travel has also changed. A walk along a never-before visited beach can feel like a distant getaway

But for others, the focus will become on enjoying the bucket list locations, and finding the joy in planning trips that are truly a dream come true over many so-so weekends away throughout the year. Sustainable travel is a necessity to a world with a love of exploration.

Greener travel is better than less travel

Travel is, after all, an essential human activity. It’s about more than an occasional vacation. Without the option of, ‘let’s go somewhere,’ we felt trapped, sedentary—and alone. Humans are naturally nomadic, and travel represents knowledge, experience, and hope. Restricting global mobility would be dire. The experience of travelling broadens our horizons, and new experiences in new places is integral to our societal growth.

No one needs to commit to never getting on a plane or taking a road trip again. Instead, when planning a trip, factor sustainability into your decision making. This can mean everything from the carbon footprint of your journey, to ensuring you do not undertake tourist trips that exploit wild animals (hint: if you want to see them, see them in the wild).

Travel is responsible for around 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. But telling people to reduce their vacation time is not the answer. Like all things sustainable, it’s about education and taking the right steps so that we don’t miss out, but our actions don’t cost the earth.

How you can travel more sustainably

Stay Local

When the travel bug hits, or we’re anxious to try a new experience, it can be easy to think we need to hop on a plane. Yet how many of us truly know the region where we live? Search for similar experiences in your local area and you’ll be sure to discover something that limits the distance you need to discover a whole new world.

Respect and Embrace Culture and Customs

In pre-pandemic times, tourism accounted for 10.4% of global GDP, with many areas reliant on it. However, that doesn’t mean tourists should expect a home from home. Travel is always more enriching when we take time to research local culture and customs before we go, and immerse ourselves in the lived experience of where we find ourselves.

Check the Footprint Before You Book

Research every available option to get to your destination and go to an online Carbon Calculator, like this one from World Land Trust who will not only give you the total CO2 emitted but also tell you the amount to offset it. When you do choose to offset, it’s best to also do your research. It’s a contentious subject, but options that go towards full conservation over tree planting generally offer better long-term (and in many cases indefinite) results.

Consider the eco-impact of your activities

Swimming with turtles may seem fun and harmless, but it’s always good to know exactly what impact such activities have before you book your trip. In many cases, the potential for littering alone can have a huge impact, while animal welfare is often neglected on trips into the wilderness. Exploiting the natural world is what got us into this mess in the first place but there are plenty of considered options that will still satiate human curiosity while removing potential threats and long term damage.

It’s About Every Day too

Walk, cycle, car share; if you can choose an option that isn’t one person in one car, do it. Your everyday transportation adds up. If you’re thinking about sustainable travel, start with how you get to work, the grocery store, and appointments in your daily schedule.

photo by Sacha Verheij