As more of the world gets vaccinated and travel restrictions begin to lift, world leaders gathered in Glasgow, Scotland to talk about what is possibly our last chance (for real this time) to stop the worst effects of climate change. Although I’m personally extremely eager to get back on the road, this is a good time to acknowledge that travel is a significant contributor to climate change. In fact, according to a 2018 study, tourism is responsible for up to 8% of the world’s carbon emissions, and that number is expected to rise.
That doesn’t mean you have to cut out vacations completely to avoid eco-guilt — but you should take sustainable travel into consideration when planning your trips. The good news: There are plenty of ways to travel more consciously, and choosing a sustainable hotel is one of them. The not-so-good news: The growing demand for green travel alternatives has also led to an increase in greenwashing — which is when corporations eager to capitalize on that demand make themselves appear green through marketing without truly backing it up.
