ECO-MAD Traveling

Ancient cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, Co, USA.
An unbelievable piece of history
I'm so grateful has been preserved.

What we take away from our travel experiences can and should be much more than material possessions or photographs. As humans we're able to consciously recognize and remember our perceived memories and feelings created from our experiences, which generates personal growth, helps shape us, and allows us to become more fulfilled and more comprehensive as individuals. Even when we travel we can make a positive impact by EXERTING CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS that MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Like all ECO-MAD decision-making, it's essential to be informed and aware of the effects our actions have on others (the locals) and the planet (the local environment) while we're visiting somewhere. To be conscientious of the place we're going, how we get there, what we bring with us, what we do there, and what we bring back, is all important because our actions have effects that ripple. In addition, since it's nearly impossible to accomplish consumption-free traveling, it's helpful to check ourselves by considering how, what and why we consume what we do when we're 'on the road'.

The place.
Before going somewhere, there are many advantages in doing research, not just on the destination itself but also on the general impacts of tourism. The more we know, the more powerful we can be in reducing our impact while experiencing the destination to its fullest and possessing a clear conscience.

The stuff.
Time to think about our baggage, and what sustainable essentials to bring. Reusable options can severely cut down on some of the worst and most abundant waste-creating convenience items, not to mention save money and create all-around healthier habits. From field trips to road trips, here's some reusables to consider:

• Ice chest - to bring our own food so we can avoid fast-food or expensive restaurants, avoid excess packaging, and as a bonus, clear the fridge out at home so foods don't go bad.
• Stainless cups and straws - to ensure we avoid unnecessary plastics and waste when we get our drinks-on-the-go.
• Stainless or glass water bottles - so we don't have to drink out of plastic or create waste. Maybe even make our own juice to bring in an extra bottle?
• SteriPEN (hand-held UV light water purifier) - to use after filling our reusable bottles from a tap or stream (clear, flowing water) so we don't have to worry about getting sick.
• Bamboo utensils - a lightweight, easy-to-carry alternative to plasticware.
• Lightweight bowl/plate - great for backpacking, travel-picnicking or festivals; an all-around great tool for all sorts of travel, especially if you love food!
• Wine/alcohol bag - in case we want a drink but metal/glass isn't allowed.
• Tupperware (preferably glass, although reusable plastic is lighter weight for travel) - for leftover or to-go food.
• Reusable clear bag for toiletries - then we don't have to use something like a Ziploc.

Eco-friendly toiletries are essential since our bodies soak the ingredients in and because drains often lead to waterways and seas. Every individual has different preferences and needs, but as stated in previous posts on this blog, the best thing we can do is research and - if we're not making it ourselves with ingredients and packaging we're knowledgeable about - find out things like where the products come from and who makes them, how they're made and with what, what they're packaged in and how much waste they create. Having this type of information means the difference between us (millions of consumers) supporting environmentally, socially, ethically, etc. responsible products and companies versus those which greedily put profits above all else. Some travel toiletry products to consider researching:

• Coconut oil
• *has so many uses straight out of the jar  
• **can be mixed with other ingredients to create even more uses
• Chapstick* (if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Lotion* (if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Shampoo
• Conditioner**(and/or hair mask*)(if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Soap** (if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Facewash** (if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Sunscreen
• Toothpaste** (if made at home we can package in a reusable container) 
• Toothbrush (bamboo is more sustainable than plastic)
• Feminine products (there are alternatives to pads/tampons like menstrual cups/underwear, which are less wasteful)
• Razor (metal or bamboo with replaceable heads or resharpenable blades to reduce waste)
• Water floss/pick (if we're dedicated enough to bring it with us traveling)

Airports, etc. are becoming more compatible
with sustainable lifestyles!

The transportation. 

Hopefully, we can hit the road with the least amount of impact (no pun intended). Certain methods of travel are worse for the planet than others, but also unavoidable at times. We may need the help of an airplane to get where we're going, but it's important to consider that some airlines do make up for their carbon footprint - or at least don't increase it - by reducing, reusing and recycling in many areas of service. It's crucial to support the people, businesses, companies, organizations, corporations, etc. who are making a positive effort. Attempt whenever possible:

• Walk
• Take public transportation
• Carpool
• Ride bicycles 
• Rent the most gas efficient vehicle possible, or go electric if it's an option. 
• Support locally run rental/transportation companies (usually assures that money spent stays in the community).

Avoid whenever possible:

• Cruises (mainly because of their negative impacts on the environment, specifically the seas, which are essential to their business - go figure)
• Riding on an animal of any kind unless you know for a fact it's being treated humanely.  
• Unnecessary, excess transportation (this requires proper planning to avoid, but again, not always avoidable) 
• Supporting mega-chains or huge corporations (whose profits often disregard the local communities and instead benefit shareholders/CEOs)

The activities.
No matter the purpose of our trips or where we go, one thing we can and should always do everywhere is "leave no trace" - or better yet, leave all places better than we find them, ensuring they are preserved for other visitors and future generations. The best way to make sure our traveling activities are (among other things) sustainable, responsible and humane is - again for emphasis - to DO OUR RESEARCH. Ask questions. Who runs the activity? Is the activity being done in a responsible way? What are the impacts of the activity on the surrounding people, animals and place? Are there global impacts? A business with nothing to hide will have transparency and be able to give us most information we request, plus we can talk to locals and others who have done the activities, or read reviews.  From activities as harsh as 'elephant riding' to those as seemingly harmless as shell collecting, it's dire that we pay attention to not only the repercussions of our own visit, but the lasting effects that will result from tourism as a whole, when multiplied by at least millions of visitors in our lifetime alone. It just so happens that "ethical tourism" is a thing and it's trending, so for those with access to Internet, beginning to find information is as easy as typing 'choosing ethical tourism' into the search bar and hitting enter!

The return.
It's important when deciding what to buy and/or bring home with us (souvenirs) that we take into consideration not just the typical questions of 'where is it made, who made it, what is it made of, how is it made, what are the mass-scale effects if any, etc.?' but also 'what can people use and or experience rather than just have?'. Most likely, for example, someone will enjoy a gift like locally made food items (hot sauce, jam, etc.) with unique ingredients from the place visited, or some local music or art to ponder, rather than something plastic or 'made in China'. Again, a place to begin research if you have internet access is as simple as searching 'ethical souvenirs'.

What wilderness does for the self is inexplicable,
and preservation of the wild is our responsibility.

**Put It Into Practice**

ECO-MAD traveling, as with ECO-MAD in general, begins with knowing, respecting and loving ourselves (our feelings, habits, fears, joys, goals, etc.) first and foremost so that we ultimately make conscious choices and educated decisions which are rooted in personal confidence, are fulfilling for who we know we are, and are beneficial for us as well as for our community, society as a whole, and the planet.

Getting in touch with ourselves and being informed on the issues surrounding our daily decisions and actions does require extra effort, but at this point it's necessary and we are supposed to be the most highly-evolved species on Earth, so it's a fact that we are capable. We all have the ability to get in touch with who we are, with our conscience and with our intrinsic values, and many of us also have the ability to do general research on issues meaningful to us because we have access to endless information in an instant.

There's truly no excuse for humans to be making uninformed, convenience-based choices which cause harm to ourselves, others, and the planet. There should be no question as to whether or not it's worth putting in the effort to be less impactful so that future generations can have the same freedoms, on the same biodiverse planet, that we have now. Remember, we have immense power in our choices. We can set examples, spread sustainable education, start a movement, influence the status quo, stand up to socially irresponsible practices, hold wrongdoers accountable, and make positive change, with our choices and actions, but we must make the conscious decision to do it.