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Staying Sustainable While Abroad

Air travel accounts for up to 3% of global CO2 emissions/year and 10% of transportation emissions in the US, however you can buy travel offsets for less than $20. The problem with carbon offsets is that they do not avert future emissions and allow “business as usual” behavior to continue.

NYT article: We Wish Buying Carbon Offsets for Your Flight Helped. It Doesn’t. 

Instead of purchasing carbon offsets, here are some alternatives:

  • Fly less. While you need to fly to reach your study abroad destination, while traveling in-country use alternate means of transit such as rail or bus when possible.
  • Calculate equity-weighted carbon cost and if able, donate to a good cause you vetted yourself.
  • Join a mass transit advocacy organization such as the US High Speed Rail Association

Sustainable Travel Tips

Accommodations

  • Staying in a hotel?
    • Stay in LEED, Green Globes, Living Building Challenge etc. certified
    • Be aware of greenwashing!
  • Traveling alone?
    • Rent a room, not a whole house
  • Set AC to 78 and heat no higher than 68 and turn up/down when away

Food/Dining

  • Plan your meals
  • Seek out markets and eat/shop like eco-minded locals
  • Cut back (or out) meat
  • Purchase fresh, non-processed food and avoid packaging whenever possible

Travel

  • Rent a bike, not a car!
  • Take public transit whenever possible

Mindset

  • Embrace cultural encounters and new world views
  • Keep an activity log to better understand your impact and experiences
  • Bring cultural lessons home to share with others and incorporate into your life
  • Focus on collecting experiences, not things
  • Don’t feel like you must bring home trinkets or presents for people
  • Track/audit your waste and change your behavior accordingly
  • Learn local materials management practices (ex: recycling, composting) 

Packing/Shopping

  • Choose “solid” toiletry options (bar shampoo, conditioner and/or soap)
  • Seek out local bulk, thrift and, second-hand stores and support local businesses in general
 

 

Additional Resources

Sustainability and Study Abroad Pre-Departures — SUNY Best Practice Guide
Packing Guide
Make a Difference Abroad
Green Passport Pledge