What does it mean to travel responsibly?
Travelling allows us to experience different natural ecosystems, cultures, and historical areas while taking a break from our everyday routines. Greenhouse gas emissions generated from people travelling contribute to climate change and additional human pressures can impact the environment. But travel also inspires people to protect and conserve nature and biodiversity, it allows ways for people to actively collect information to monitor ecosystems and wildlife through citizen science, creates ambassadors, supports community outcomes and provides funding for conservation efforts. There are many positive impacts that travellers and operators can have on the climate and the environment. Operators who educate on environmental issues uplift understanding, many drive development of emissions reductions and work with their suppliers to influence change.
Here’s some tips for ways you can contribute and travel sustainably:
- Research local recycling protocols so you can put waste in the correct place
- Travel with a reusable water bottle, reusable shopping bag, and travel coffee cup to reduce waste and single use plastics
- Be mindful of your souvenir choices – choose local, genuine and ethically sourced souvenirs and do not purchase merchandise derived from rare or threatened species, heritage artefacts or items of significant cultural value
- Research local culture and practices to inform considerations and minimise your impact on the local community and lifestyle
- Choose lower emissions transport options such as using local public transport, taking a Greyhound bus (link) between cities or for your road trip, hiring an electric vehicle (EV), or booking a ‘green/EV’ rideshare
- Plan efficient travel routes so you don’t cover the same ground twice
- Tour with others – shared transport and tours reduce individual footprint
- Choose certified or sustainable tours and accommodation – look for the Ecotourism certified logo to select operators with responsible practices
- Use a carbon footprint calculator to identify the biggest emissions sources and offset your hard to abate travel such as flights
- Avoid use of any substances that may be harmful to the local environment such as certain sunscreens, insect repellents and toiletries
- Avoid transferring potential pests, seeds and invasive species with you as you travel around
- Follow local rules and signs for protected or sensitive conservation areas
- Maintain safe distances from wildlife to avoid disturbing them
- Book with local accommodation, eateries and guides
- Look for tours offering positive nature contributions & regeneration activities
You can find more information on sustainable travel here.
Here’s some tips for during your tour with us:
- Use public transport, walk or use a group pick up where available to reach your tour starting point
- Follow your guide’s instructions and signage for correct use of bins/recycling, water saving features, and wildlife interactions
- Make sure you don’t lose any rubbish or belongings into the environment
- Use reef-friendly sunscreen, insect repellent and toiletries
- Follow the Green Fins Code of conduct including respecting marine life and avoiding disturbance
- Bring a water bottle to refill
- Be mindful of water use
- Return your brochure so we can keep it in circulation longer
- Listen to guide talks and learn about the reef and threats
- Help with collection of monitoring data for marine debris surveys & eye on the reef when available
- Collect litter or debris
- Join Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef
- Show cultural sensitivity by learning about local customs and protocols
Here’s some tips for before and after your travel:
Being sustainable at home also helps protect the Great Barrier Reef because those small, consistent changes have bigger effects. One of the most impactful things anyone can do is to talk to others about sustainability and raise awareness. Here are some tips for everyday.
Reduce waste:
- Swap to reusable alternatives to single-use plastics
- Set up recycling and compost bins
- Choose items with no packaging or packaging that is recyclable
Change your cooking and eating habits:
- Grow your own veggies, salad and herbs
- Reduce food wastage by planning meals, eating up leftovers and storing food correctly
- Choose seasonal and locally sourced food
- Add more plant-based meals into your diet, these typically have lower associated emissions
Reduce your energy use:
- Avoid using unnecessary energy by turning things off at the wall or using smart outlets to avoid ‘standby’ power use
- Make sure living spaces are insulated and draught-free
- Keep doors closed when using air-conditioning or heating
Become a conscious consumer:
- Make sure you need something before purchasing
- Reuse and repurpose items to give a second life
- Pass on items to friends, family or a charity shop when you’re done with them
- Use ecolabels to guide purchasing decisions
- Shop and eat local
Change your cleaning products:
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries that come in refillable options and are free from harmful contaminants
- Swap your synthetic cleaning products such as sponges, cloths and scrubbers for natural fibre ones to reduce microplastics going to the ocean
Change your laundry habits:
- Hang clothes out to dry instead of using a dryer
- Use a cold wash to reduce energy use and micro-fibres going to the ocean
- Wash full loads
Other small changes:
- Support local conservation and community initiatives
- Walk, cycle, scoot, use public transport or lower emissions vehicles
- Conserve water and collect rainwater for plants or cleaning where possible
- Pick up litter – carry a bag and collect rubbish to prevent it from going down the drain to the ocean
You can calculate your carbon footprint and learn more about how to reduce or offset it through this carbon positive Australia calculator.