4 Top Eco-Friendly Vacation Ideas for the Family

A family outing is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with the kids, especially if it involves vacationing at a faraway place and without harming Mother Nature. If you love protecting the environment as much as you love your family, then some ways can help you minimize your carbon footprint and still have a swell time with your loved ones.

Traveling is touted as one of the few sectors contributing significantly to climate change through direct pollution and carbon emissions produced by planes, trains, and other transportation modes. Apart from that, the environmental impact that vacationers have on natural attractions must not be overlooked. You and your family can do your part in countering these effects by opting for the following ideas for a fun and eco-friendly experience everyone will cherish:

1. Nature immersive experiences

If you’re planning to get up close to nature, booking a spot at a posh resort might not be the best way. Even with the presence of environmental laws, some resorts work their way around these regulations as they fall short of implementing sustainable waste management solutions. Aside from that, some luxury resort developers expand towards protected habitats, often ignoring local ordinances meant to preserve local wildlife.

Not only that but vacationing at a resort doesn’t provide the kind of immersion you opt for. You and your family are better off going on a camping trip within national parks and regulated camping grounds. If you aim for greater convenience and safety, you can ditch “natural” resorts and rent out eco-lodges and campsites that score well among green organizations. That way, you will know if such vacation spots practice sustainability as well as bring you closer to nature.

2. Minimize your fossil fuel consumption

Whenever you’re on the move, you’re consuming fossil fuels which emit pollutants into the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. That’s not to say you’re better off vacationing at home but it’s still possible to go on an outing without leaving too large of a carbon footprint. Rather than renting an RV, consider going on a road trip by taking public transportation. It might not be comfortable or glamorous but at least you’re doing your part in reducing carbon emissions.

If you’re going on a camping trip, you shouldn’t rely on portable generators that run on fossil fuels. Aside from polluting the air, they can also disturb the surrounding wildlife with the noise they produce. In case you’re going on a boating trip, consider using a vessel fitted with sturdy headsails from vendors like Far East Sails. It’s a more eco-friendly alternative to fishing with a motorboat, unless of course it’s powered by solar panels or a battery pack.

3. Visit a conservation or eco-farm

When it comes to vacations, families often think about going on a beach holiday or going to major cities like Tokyo or Paris. However, if sustainability is at the core of your household, you can opt for the path less taken and bring your family on a visit to eco centers. Consider going on a trip to a wildlife conservation center that protects endangered animals through sustainable means, such as sourcing locally grown foodstuffs.

Consider bringing your family to an eco-farm and observing how organic produce is grown. These farms may also feature a petting zoo and an educational tour that immerses your kids in sustainable farming practices they can try at home. In any case, this provides you with an opportunity to explore eco-friendly solutions, spend quality time with your family, and ensure your experience won’t harm the environment all at once.

4. Shop around for “green” souvenirs

On every trip, you’re bound to bring home a piece of the destination with you. However, some tourists do so without considering the environmental impact of the choices they make. During a safari, there’s a good chance someone will smuggle samples of plants, rocks, and even small animals such as prairie dogs to keep as “souvenirs.”

Even the items you find in a local souvenir shop were manufactured using synthetic materials. The most sustainable way you can bring home souvenirs is by advocating for locally-produced tokens, respecting the local community, and ensuring that the items you buy are sustainably manufactured.

If you’re going to buy a T-shirt to display or wear, always go for ones made by the local fabric industry. Rather than plastic refrigerator magnets and keychains, opt for handcrafted trinkets sourced from regulated areas. You should also avoid buying from shady vendors who often sell parts of endangered wildlife to wealthy travelers. Doing so is a form of indirectly supporting black market trading of materials such as ivory and exotic animal skin that harm entire ecosystems.

Endnote

As a traveler with a heart for green living, you should encourage your family to take part in vacations that champion sustainability. Consider these ideas for your next eco-friendly adventure.