How to Travel Green This Holiday Season

There's no way around it: travel impacts the environment. From carbon emissions to plastic airport forks, travelers have their own effects on global environmental health. Although travel is peaking during holiday periods, there are several ways those setting out on adventures this holiday season can reduce or offset the impacts associated with their travel.

The Transportation Security Administration advises travelers not to wrap gifts in case they have to be unwrapped during screening inspections-and this applies to both carryon and checked luggage. Travelers can reduce paper waste by waiting to wrap gifts until arriving at their destinations. Or better yet, by using reusable gift bags or boxes.

Travelers who aren't staying in hotels during their travels and prefer to travel with their own toiletries should consider purchasing reusable toiletry containers instead of buying travel-sized versions of their favorite brands. Not only does it save money (travel-sized toiletries are priced for convenience), it also saves the packaging and byproduct of producing such tiny package sizes.

Takeout meals are nearly ubiquitous among travelers, particularly with liquids and gels restricted through airport security checkpoints. While it's always greener to take your own food, travelers can at the very least cut down on their use of single-use plastics by taking their own reusable utensils, cups, water bottles and drinking straws (or going strawless entirely).

Although commercial aviation accounts for a small fraction of global carbon emissions, it's one of the most emitting forms of transportation per passenger. However, air travel is unavoidable for many travelers, so the best way to address carbon emissions as an individual passenger is to buy carbon offsets, which effectively cancel out a flight's carbon emissions.

Carbon offsets contribute toward clean energy (to replace other carbon energy sources) or reforestation/avoided deforestation projects (to scrub carbon from the atmosphere). Many airlines offer links to partners selling carbon offsets calculated off the length of their flight.

If your airline doesn't sell carbon offsets directly, Carbonfund.org, The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International are all reputable providers.

Compared with flying, train travel generally produces less per passenger in carbon emissions on shorter, direct routings (the length and circuity of long distance trains generally cancels out the emissions savings). This is particularly true on Amtrak services in the Northeast Corridor, where the trains are electric, rather than diesel, and typically operate on mileage-efficient routings between cities.

Travelers joining together for meals this season can consider choosing local options. Holiday travelers can reduce their carbon footprints by selecting meals comprised of foods that are grown locally and haven't traveled long distances. It's easier than one might think: just visit any local farmer's market for a taste of local produce.

Carbon emissions are also reduced with less weight. The impact is minimal, but toting less onboard the plane, train or automobile will mean less drag and less fuel burned. It will also help eliminate schlep, save on baggage fees and reduce hassle. Baggage weight can also be reduced by mailing gifts ahead.

While all the same ideas that apply to greener travel also apply to gift-giving, there's one gift that can do more to combat climate change and preserve the environment than any other: a contribution to one of the many organizations working to preserve forests, rehabilitate ecosystems and protect endangered plant and animal species-in addition to various carbon offset schemes.

Particularly for those that already "have everything," perhaps the greatest gift comes in the form of a healthy planet that sustains many more seasons of holiday travel-with a couple more ecologically conscious habits than in years past.

Visit Sustainable Travel International to learn more about reducing your carbon footprint while traveling.