With the number of people traveling the world increases every year, the environmental effect of tourism only gets worse. Travelers tend to produce copious amounts of waste- few recycle on the road, hotels are models of inefficiency, and airplanes spew carbon dioxide. When it is all said and done, travel can be envornmentally detrimental.

With so man environmental issues facing us today, it is more important than ever to green our travels.Over the last decade, there has been a growing movement in travel to green it up.

Eco-tourism deals with sustainable travel- both for the environment and for local populations. It promotes environmental and social awareness and, typically, eco-tour groups go to countries where the flora and fauna are abundant. Think Costa Rica, Tanzania, the Amazon, and New Zealand.

Types of Eco-Tours
While most eco-tours are simply greener versions of normal tours, others offer specific angles:
·    Volunteering: Many tours are based on participants volunteering in local community initiatives and clean up projects.
·    Local Cultures: Many tours focus on educating groups about the local culture. This includes cooking classes, home stays, and language classes. The idea is to spread cultural respect and understanding while decreasing everyone’s environmental impact.
·    Environmental education: These tours focus on highlight environmental issues in a local area and what can be done to improve the situation.

How it Helps
Ecotourism promotes environmental awareness among its participants and reduces the environmental impact of travel.  Companies use local products, local guides, and visit organizations that use sustainable and low impact methods.

It helps promote conservation and shows local residents how this is good for the environment and their wallets. Many companies run conservation programs and train locals on how to look after the environment. After all, no flora and fauna, no travel business.

There is also the social aspect. By creating self sustaining industries and training locals, eco-tours help ensure that improvised communities develop financial independence giving them less incentive to cut down the environment that feeds them.

Here are a few tips that can help you reduce your environmental impact while traveling with these eco-tours:

Carry a water bottle.
Why it’s Green: No waste created from empty bottles.
Why it Helps You: You save money because you won’t have to buy water. Another option is (if you can’t drink the local water) to buy extra large jugs of water, leave them at the hostel; filling your bottle with only what you will need that day.

Walk, walk, walk.
Why it’s Green: No carbon emissions when walking.
Why it Helps: You stay in shape and save money.

Eat less food and eat locally
Why it’s Green: The “carbon footprint” of food is extraordinary! Eating less means there’s less waste and eating locally means a smaller footprint.
Why It Helps You: You’ll be healthier and save money and also you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the local culture.

The environment is the defining issue of our century. Climate change affects us all and, if we don’t being reducing our footprint, these wonderful places in the world might soon vanish.  Travel is a great experience and helps promote cultural understanding but normal travel has a heavy environmental impact. For those who a green spirit, this can present a problem. Eco tours let us have our cake and eat too so we don’t have to choose between the two.