South Africa is steaming ahead with plans to make travel within the country more sustainable. The latest move on the part of government is the completion of a 0.7-hectare solar farm to power Kimberley Airport. This new innovation came into play during May 2016 at a cost of R13.5 million and the Airports Company South Africa will soon be following suit at all of its regional airports.
What’s more, the country intends to spend a further R32 billion on sustainable measures before 2030 in compliance with the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
If governments are prepared to spend this amount of money and effort on sustainable travel, don’t you think it’s time you did something too. Here’s how you too can do your bit.
Travel Light
You don’t need all those new holiday outfits. Every year 300 000 tons of clothing ends up in landfill sites in the UK alone. Many of these are frivolous outfits that travelers discard the minute they arrive back home.
If you really do need a few new items, buy long-lasting eco-friendly brands made according to Fairtrade principles. Don’t throw clothing away when you tire of it either. Donate it to the needy or at the very least, give it to a thrift shop to resell.
Less clothing also means lighter baggage which in turn means lighter airplanes, less fuel burnt and fewer carbon emissions.
Get Around Responsibly
In most cases, there’s no getting away from airline travel completely during your trip but you can try to limit it. You can plan a cruise for part of your journey, add some romance to your travels and take the train or be a little ‘out there’ and do the bus instead of a domestic flight. Walk, Segway or cycle to see local sights.
Fly with airlines that are taking steps to decrease their carbon emissions with innovative design and take non-stop flights where possible.
Stay Sustainable
Before you book your accommodation, take steps to find hotels that are on board with sustainable, eco-friendly practices and genuine social upliftment. These should go beyond the usual electricity and waste practices. Look for organic cotton sheets and eco-pools.
Keep Your Hands Off the Animals
Treat the local wildlife with respect. Don’t interact with wild animals. That means no walking with lions, riding on elephants or swimming with dolphins. There are a few reputable animal rehabilitation centers that will allow you to touch their animals. Do your research before you support any one of these places.
Book with a Travel Expert That Encourages Sustainable Travel
If you’d like to know more about how you can make a difference, get in touch. We have a host of sustainable travel options and eco-friendly accommodation available to you.
