The most important thing to remember about sustainability is that it’s not a absolute, binary, black or white concept. No one says you must be 100% completely sustainable all of the time. You don’t have to know the name of the chicken on your plate, and if it had a good life, to be considered earth-friendly.
On an average day, you make dozens of choices that give you a chance to be a little kinder to the planet and it’s inhabitants. The simple act of asking yourself “Can I wear that sweater one more time before I put it in the wash?” can be the key to extending the life of your sweater, keeping it out of the landfill, and conserving water – BOOM! Three points. But maybe today you buy avocados from the grocery store instead of driving the extra 15 minutes to go the farmers market. That’s OK! The fact that you’re carefully considering the options and weighing out the right choice for you is what counts.
Being sustainable simply means making thoughtful social and environmental conscious choices every day that reduce harm to the planet and society.
This article is going to share some small changes to your travel planning and activities that can move you a bit further to towards the sustainable end of the spectrum.
In this article:
What is sustainable travel?
If you’re doing a sideways head-tilt at the idea of sustainable travel, then you’re not alone. According to a 2019 National Geographic survey of 3,500 adults in the US, only about 6% understand what sustainable travel actually means. People often use sustainable travel and eco-friendly tourism interchangeably, but the concept goes beyond the environmental impact and includes travel focused on “environmentally friendly practices, protecting cultural and natural heritage, providing social and economic benefits for local communities, and inspiring travelers to become conservation ambassadors.”
The concept of sustainable travel goes beyond the environmental impact and includes travel focused on “environmentally friendly practices, protecting cultural and natural heritage, providing social and economic benefits for local communities, and inspiring travelers to become conservation ambassadors.”
The idea is that in order for California’s natural beauty and culture to continue to exist, we need to treat it with respect and protect it so that will continue to awe and inspire for generations to come. Within the last decade, the concept of overcrowding by visiting tourists that cause negative effects on local communities has recently become known as overtourism. Focusing on sustainable travel is a primary way to combat and and reduce those negative effects by creating awareness and educating visitors on best practices for preservation.
Is sustainable the same as eco-friendly?
Yes, but sustainability represents so much more. Being environmentally sustainable means making choices that reduce the negative long term impact on the environment. That means eco-friendly choices might look like using a biodegradable or paper bag rather than a plastic bag at the grocery store, or even better, bringing your own re-usable bag to avoid consuming a new bag all together.
San Francisco became the first city in the nation to adopt a ban on plastic shopping bags in April 2007. In February of 2012, the Board of Supervisors voted to expand the ordinance to all retail stores and add a ten cent charge on bags at checkout.
Californians Against Waste
A great way to remember how to be environmentally friendly is the mantra from the 1970s: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. This includes thinking about how much or little you need, if you can reuse it again to extend its utility, and when you have finally squeezed the maximum amount of joy from that item, you deposit in a recycle bin so that it can be turned into something useful again instead of going to the landfill to rot for the next 50+ years.
To understand the full impact of sustainability, we need to think about what other activities go into making that item before you buy it and after you put it in the bin and the impact of those activities on society and the environment. A business can support socially sustainable practices by ensuring employees are paid a living wage and provide other benefits such as healthcare or childcare. Products and producers that are Fair trade certified utilize a sourcing model that “improves livelihoods, protects the environment, and builds resilient, transparent supply chains.”
5 simple changes to make your travel more sustainable
Being sustainable doesn’t have to be complicated. Even if you already have a trip booked, you can easily incorporate these tips to make your trip more planet-friendly.
Off the beaten path – sustainable points of interest
Skip the well-trodden and overcrowded tourist spots and check out lesser known sights. Of course there are the iconic things to do and see that cities are known for, but travelers often find the most delightful experiences at unexpected moments. Discovering secrets that most people don’t know about make great stories to share with friends. And the best part is that they are often low cost or free.
At the time of this writing, Atlas Obscura has a list of “1,440 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in California” that is a great resource for those looking for something a little different. They share tidbits and secrets that most Top 10 guide books won’t cover and they’re sure to inspire curiosity and wonder.
One of my favorite secret spots to share in San Francisco is the 30+ year old Wave Organ in the water north of the Marina District. It’s an flat easy walk from the Crissy Field Beach or the Palace of Fine arts, but most don’t realize it’s there. At night, you can sit and listen to the waves crash and make the organ hum while looking back at the city sparkle.
Leave No Trace – sustainable stewardship
Wherever you find yourself wandering, take care to leave it the same way you found it so that the next person can enjoy it. We are stewards of the earth, and while we are here on this planet, it is our responsibility to not mess it up – or at least try to be good hosts while we can.
There are 7 principles in the Leave No Trace framework that can be applied in everyday life even when you’re not traveling in the wild outdoors. In every day situations, the most applicable are Plan Ahead and Prepare, Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What You Find, and Be Considerate of Others.
Shop local – sustainable shopping
Supporting local business owners instead of large chains provides opportunities for the local economy to flourish by putting money back into the hands of the community.
Purchasing locally made goods provides jobs and supports economic development of the local workforce. Local artisans showcase the culture of the community and provide a unique perspective you won’t find anywhere else.
Choosing seasonal organic produce reduces exposure to toxic pesticides for your family, but also for the farm workers. Additionally, produce grown in season are better quality because they’re grown under the best natural conditions for the plants to flourish.
Products that travel shorter distances means the reduced cost can be passed on to you, and less emissions from the planes or trucks that transport them.
Farmers markets these days carry much more than your average produce and will impress you with the variety often featuring an array of local seafoods, meats, cheeses, mushrooms, nuts, honey, and other foods like hummus, honey, tapenade, nut butters, the list goes on. The Saturday Farmer’s market at the Ferry Building features over 100 vendors from California and is a huge attraction. However, you might be just as impressed with your haul from one of the many other farmers markets sponsored by the SF Environment department. Here’s a list of markets are open each day of the week.
Walk, bike, or take public transit – sustainable transportation
Most high-population cities, especially those that cater to tourists like San Francisco, have easy and reliable public transportation that reduces the dependency on individual cars as the main mode of transportation. The recent development of Ride-sharing companies, like Uber and Lyft, help reduce individual cars on the road by matching riders that are heading towards the same direction.
For the most immersive and environmentally responsible experience in any destination, simply walk. Not only is it a great way to exercise, but you slow down and notice things that you might not if you were passing by quickly. Walking also make it also easy to stop and explore a shop that catches your eye, or enjoy a street artist playing music.
If walking is not your pace, try a bike. In my recent trip to Barcelona, a city thats extremely walk-friendly, I was running late for a dinner, so I mustered up the courage to rent a bike on a ride-sharing app to make it there on time. Although I was a little shaky at first wearing a dress, I found riding a bike easier and more enjoyable than taking the Metro because I could see everything I was missing above ground and the breeze was refreshing in the summer heat.
If you’re already a member of Lyft, in San Francisco, you can already rent a bike from one of may bike-sharing stations through the Lyft app or through the SF Bay Wheels initiative.
Farm-to-table – sustainable restaurants
California has always been at the forefront of sustainable cuisine and it’s where you can truly appreciate the depth and impact of sustainable practices. Sustainable restaurants promote responsible practices by working with like minded organizations that focus on organic farming from the region, responsible water usage (seasonal droughts are an ongoing challenge in the area), and fresh seafood caught responsibly.
The best example of sustainable gastronomy and the pioneer of the farm-to-table movement is Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA. Since Alice Waters open its doors in 1971, the famed institution continues to lead by example, sourcing its produce primarily from its own organic farm, supplemented by small farms within a 50-mile radius of the restaurant. Waters also founded The Edible Schoolyard Project in 1995, that connects children to “food, nature and to each other” through education experiences in the garden, kitchen and cafeteria.
“I have an organic farm growing 75% of our produce and the remainder comes from within 50 miles; we have almost zero landfill waste.”
Alice Waters, founder of Chez Panisse, Michelin Guide
Some additional award-winning sustainable restaurants in Northern California to visit are Quince (San Francisco), Anchor Oyster Bar (San Francisco), Single Thread (Healdsburg, Sonoma County) and Harbor House (Elk, Mendocino County).
While these restaurants are highly-rated and may require advanced reservations, there are plenty of amazing dining options throughout California that you can easily find with a quick search for “sustainable restaurants” on Yelp or Google.
Whenever you are at the grocery store or at a restaurant, you can easily check if a particular fish or seafood is sustainable by checking the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch guide to learn if certain species are responsibly harvested, or if the species’ fishing operations have been reported to use practices that are known to cause harm to the ocean or human-rights.
“Seafood sustainability isn’t just about the environmental impacts of wild fisheries and aquaculture. It’s also about ensuring fair, safe working conditions for the people who produce our seafood.”
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch
Recap: What are some easy ways to be sustainable while traveling?
Traveling away from home might remove you from the ease and convenience of familiar surroundings, but you can still make responsible choices by following a few simple tips.
- Combat busy crowds and overtourism by embracing the unique and lesser-known points of interest that might not be on the “Top 10” lists. Ask locals for some of their favorite hidden gems, or check out Atlas Obscura for their delightful user-submitted recommendations.
- Wherever you travel, make sure to leave the place as you found it, or better. Think about what you bring with you, and make sure you don’t leave anything behind. We all make mistakes, so if you notice something accidentally left behind, consider picking it up so that it doesn’t cause harm to the area or its inhabitants.
- Shop at small businesses to support the local economy, rather than larger chain stores. Local artists and businesses will often have a perspective that is uniquely influenced by the areas culture and history. Embracing the local flavor will create an immersive experience during your travels.
- Enjoy the journey by walking, biking, or taking public transportation around town. Not only are these modes environmentally friendly, they give you a chance to slow down and observe your surroundings opening you up to possibly discovering a side quest you might have otherwise missed.
- Support local and organic restaurants and farms. Responsible organic practices reduce the exposure of harmful pesticides on the food we eat, but also the workers that grow them. Protect the oceans by choosing seafood species that are harvested sustainably according to the the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch research.
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