Planning a summer vacation? Want it to be as environmentally friendly as possible? Consider the train! Trains and buses are almost always more environmentally friendly than planes and cars. If you have to choose between plane and car, try not to use the plane for less than 600 miles. Take-offs and landings are very heavy on fuel use. This means that short distance air travel results in higher emissions of carbon dioxide per passenger mile. Train transport is more energy efficient and cleaner than aircraft. Train energy consumption is 40 to 70 percent lower and air pollution is up to 85 percent lower. Over short distances (less than 250 miles) and with about 70 percent occupancy, bus and train travel are twice and three times more energy efficient than air transport. Plus, you get to enjoy the scenery. See Amtrak’s wide selection of vacation destinations at www.amtrak.com. Here are a few more tips for reducing the impact of your vacation:
- Inform yourself about the environmental impacts of cruise ships, and consider choosing more sustainable vacation options. For more information, see www.cruisejunkie.com.
- If you are traveling somewhere by airplane, consider using public transportation, walking or bicycling when you arrive instead of renting a car. If you need to rent a car, consider EV Rental Cars. They rent hybrid-electric and natural gas vehicles in certain U.S. cities: www.evrental.com. Better yet, if you are a member of Community Car here, you can check www.carsharing.net to find out if the city you are visiting also has a car sharing program. If they do, you may be able to use their cars during your vacation. Each car share program varies, so contact the company directly.
- When vacationing, choose a hotel with a commitment to the environment. See www.greenhotels.com.
- The most environmentally friendly vacation would be to a destination near your home. The less you travel, the more time you have to play and relax. Consider a Midwest vacation!
For more information and ideas on how to make your vacation an environmentally friendly one, visit www.enactwi.org. Check back here in two weeks for new tips from EnAct to help you step more lightly on the environment. EnAct, a program of Madison Environmental Group, Inc., encourages sustainable living and strengthens communities by creating Environmental Action Teams in neighborhoods, community organizations and workplaces. If you are interested in starting your own EnAct team, please contact us at enact@madisonenvironmental.com or (608) 204-2888.