Reducing Your Carbon Footprint When You Travel

Daily Decisions That Make A Difference

1. Carpool Whenever Possible
2. Drive Efficiently - Plan your weekly errands in the most efficient manner possible - combine trips and plan your routes to save fuel, money and time
3. Change It Up - Even commuting by an alternative method only once a week - be it carpooling, the bus, by bike or on foot - can have a big impact. This once a week change can save 1500 lbs of CO2 a year
4. Check Those Tires - If your tires aren't properly inflated you can be wasting 3% of your fuel. With today's rising cost of gas, maximizing your fuel efficiency is not only good for the environment but your wallet as well
5. Trim Down - Roof racks are very helpful for lugging extra equipment and bags but that extra drag can reduce fuel efficiency by 5%.
6. Get Ready to Cruise - Use cruise control and overdrive whenever possible to get the most out of your gas tank
7. Choose Wisely - If you are in need of a new car, consider the many new hybrid vehicles hitting the road which can dramatically increase your fuel efficiency, reduce your fuel consumption and put fewer harmful emissions into the air

1. Fly Direct - The fewer times you land and take-off the fewer carbon emissions emitted into the atmosphere
2. Purchase Carbon Offsets - Many airlines offer excellent programs where you can purchase carbon offsets to negate the impact of your plane travel. There are also many independent carbon offset offerings as well. For best results, look for companies that are Green-E certified to ensure the validity of the offset
3. Combine Travel - Rather than taking several short vacations over the course of the year - try to reduce your footprint by one longer vacation with fewer stops

1. Set Home to Vacation Mode - Turn down your thermostat and unplug all unnecessary appliances to reduce energy usage and eliminate "phantom" drains.
2. Ditch the Car - Is a car rental really essential to your vacation plans? Consider planning your hotel stay and activities around the visiting city's transportation system. Try the local shops, eateries and sightseeing within walking distance of your hotel. You may discover some hidden treasures and get the benefit of exercise as well.
3. Conserve Towels/Linens - Let the hotel where you are staying know you prefer to get fresh towels and bed linens every other day. This saves thousands of gallons of hot water and reduces detergent usage.

• Carbon Offsets - What Does It Mean?
• Can I Really Make A Difference?
• Reducing Your Carbon Footprint At Home
• Reducing Your Carbon Footprint When You Shop
• How to buy Carbon Credits