Worldschooling + Sustainable and Responsible Travel
Travel has the potential to be a force for good in the world, but it can also cause harm by destroying the very resources travelers have come to experience—the natural, cultural, and community wonders of the world.
The United Nations (UN) Environment Programme and UN World Tourism Organization define sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” Sustainable travel is a natural corollary to worldschooling, as it aims to nurture attitudes and awareness in our children so they are motivated to contribute positively to our world.
You may hear terms like ethical travel, green travel, ecotourism, responsible tourism, regenerative or transformative travel, and more. While there are some nuances in definitions, the sentiment is shared—together, let’s grow a travel industry that protects people, places, and the planet.
Sustainable travel can do the following:
- Promote economic development and job creation.
- Support appropriate investment in infrastructure, revenue generation, and incentives for local empowerment.
- Reduce poverty.
- Catalyze educational opportunities for marginalized groups.
- Seed global connections.
- Build tolerance and peace.
Here are some positive ways you can promote sustainability while traveling:
* Measure your travel footprint using tools like the EDF Travel Carbon Footprint calculator.
* Seek out businesses—hotels, restaurants, and transportation companies—that disclose and demonstrate their water, energy, and waste management practices; commitment to conservation and animal welfare; plastics reduction efforts; employee benefit programs; and other responsible practices.
* Choose a diet that is environmentally friendly, minimize single-use packaging, and buy locally produced fruits and vegetables where possible.
* Be savvy and learn to detect greenwashing—when a company purports to have sustainable practices but in fact their actions do not match their claims.
* Look broadly for sustainability opportunities in nature and in cities. You can walk, take the bus, rent bikes, and shop locally.
* Learn about Indigenous Peoples and their history.
* Create travel content for your blog or social media that tells truthful stories and includes diverse voices.
* Ask locals about what’s going on in their region.
* Support the small mom-and-pop shop that is doing the right thing but not tooting its own horn.
* While there is no universal seal or standard of a “sustainable” destination, there are certifications that may indicate that a company is moving in the right direction. Keep in mind that it takes time and money to pursue these certifications, and many small local operators or businesses do not have the resources to invest in a certified “stamp of approval.” (See the resources section for more information.)
* Talk to other worldschooling families, expats, and locals before you book, reserve, pay, or otherwise use a business, lodge, outfitter, or guide. There are outstanding local operators who are committed to sustainability, cultural preservation, and regenerative practices. By working with these businesses, we put our dollars toward supporting progress, building local capacity, promoting conservation, and helping put an end to exploitative, unsustainable practices.
* Perhaps the most important step is to think about where your travel dollars are going. Is your money supporting the local economy? Or is it supporting destructive practices or development? Who is benefiting, and who is bearing the burden?
If you are curious to learn more or do more, tap into the momentum and incorporate sustainable travel into your worldschool education. To get started, check out the list of sustainable travel organizations in the resources section.
Sustainable travel has been around for years. What’s exciting is the mainstreaming of the movement and the availability of new data, metrics, resources, partnerships, and models. There is room for everyone in this mobilization—the destinations, guides, travelers, owners, operators, regulators, policy makers, local and international businesses, and content creators. The travel and tourism industry, tourists, and influencers have an opportunity to contribute to the kind of growth that builds positive, lasting impact. Let’s do our part to ensure our children and generations of children around the globe can experience the beauty of our shared home.
