by Meredith Rosenberg: Between gas-guzzling flights, high-pollution cruise ships and energy-consuming hotels, travel takes a huge toll on the environment…

Awaken

Whether for business or vacation, for many people it’s not realistic to simply stop traveling. So what’s the solution? There are actually numerous ways to become more eco-conscious while traveling, which can be implemented with these expert tips.

Transportation

Buy Carbon Credits
We Are Neutral is a Florida-based non-profit that works with organizations to reduce their carbon footprint. Geared toward businesses, the site offers a helpful carbon footprint calculator for flights, cars and even hotels. Just enter a few basic details, and the handy tool estimates the amount of carbon your trip produces. It even suggests how much you should donate to offset that amount, and allows you to donate directly to We Are Neutral, which uses the funds to plant trees.

Fly Environmentally Friendly Airlines
Kelley Louise, the executive director of Impact Travel Alliance, says that JetBlue has started using a sustainable jet fuel blend, while the International Council on Clean Transportation has named Norwegian Air the most fuel-efficient transatlantic airline. Meanwhile, the Atmosfair Airline Index 2017 is a helpful tool for discovering the most fuel-efficient airlines, plus it offers a carbon footprint calculator and the ability to donate through its site. Also useful, the International Air Transport Association counts more than 30 airlines with carbon offset programs, like Delta, United and Emirates.

Book Non-Stop Flights
Bret Love and Mary Gabbett of Green Global Travel recommend flying non-stop: “It’s the takeoffs and landings that create most of an airplane’s carbon emissions.”

Consider Trains Over Planes
Steve Long, co-founder of The Travel Brief, advises using trains whenever possible. “From London to Paris, trains emit almost 90 percent less carbon than a flight,” he says, based on using a carbon calculator from EcoPassenger. Long adds, “Excellent railway infrastructure makes trains a viable alternative to flights, including most of Europe and East Asia, and some countries in Southeast Asia.” And rail lines like Eurostar have a dedicated eco-friendly program to reduce carbon emissions, plastic and more.