19 Small Ways to Celebrate Earth Day 2019 from Anywhere

19 Small Ways to Celebrate Earth Day 2019 from Anywhere

Happy Earth Day! Forty-nine years ago, millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of industrial development, giving birth to an international environmental movement. Today it is estimated that over one billion people across 192 countries take part in this global event, binding together to fight for our planet and our future. In recent months, I’ve become extremely passionate about sustainability, especially with regard to ethical tourism and green travel… but my desire to write this post runs deeper than that. 

A few nights ago, I participated in a women’s circle at The Yoga Barn here in Ubud, Bali where we each drew a couple of cards – one from an oracle deck and the other from a tarot deck. First I pulled the West African Moon Goddess Mawu, a card which reads Mother Earth: “You are called upon to help with environmentalism.” How fitting, I thought. Then I got the 9 of Water, a card with only one word staring me in the face: Laziness. Nicely done, Universe… you caught me. 

Whether or not you believe in card readings or buy into the whole spirituality thing, there’s no denying that human laziness is hurting our planet. And I’m guilty too. It’s exhausting to walk and bike everywhere, it’s inconvenient to carry reusable bottles and bamboo cutlery all the time, and it’s not always possible to find eco-friendly alternatives for your favorite products… but Mother Earth is paying the price, and that’s just not fair.

I’m well aware that my nomadic lifestyle is far from sustainable and although I think of myself as an environmentally-conscious traveler, it would be ignorant to say I don’t contribute to the negative impacts of tourism. That’s where this list comes into play because believe it or not, there are ways to incorporate sustainability while traveling. So here are nineteen small ways that you can celebrate Earth Day today and everyday, wherever you are in the world.

1. Eat more plants, consume less meat, cut out animal products, and support vegan businesses – I mention lots in my vegan guides to Chiang Rai, the Gili Islands, and Hanoi.

2. Say no to plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic straws… basically anything and everything made from plastic.

3. Shop at local markets, buy locally made products, eat at local restaurants.

4. Stay away from unethical wildlife activities like riding elephants in Thailand, swimming with pigs in the Bahamas, and purchasing animal souvenirs.

5. Pack like a minimalist – lighter bags require less fuel.

6. Visit zero-waste stores such as Free Bird Cafe and The Hive Bulk Foods, the first of their kind in Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur, respectively.

7. Travel by land whenever possible, the environmental impact of air travel is far greater per kilometer than other modes of transportation.

8. Sign up for sustainable activities through responsible companies, like a vegan cooking class, an eco-friendly yoga retreat, or a local nature hike

9. Turn off the tap when brushing, shaving, and shampooing.

10. Explore by foot or bicycle, humans have legs for a reason – check out my recently published Georgetown walking guide and Ninh Binh bicycle guide.

11. Exchange books with other travelers, upcycle or donate old clothes, or become a thrift shopper.

12. Respect local cultures – sustainable tourism is about more than the animals and the environment, people and communities matter too.

13. Support social enterprises such as  Sapa Sisters Trekking Adventures in Sapa, Vietnam.

14. Bring your reusable bags, water bottles, coffee cups, cutlery sets, and so on wherever you go.

15. Use public transportation to get around – both the environment and your wallet will thank you.

16. Opt for eco-friendly accommodation, such as Babel Guesthouse in Siem Reap.

17. Stay longer in each location – slow travel produces less waste.

18. Avoid places that are threatened by overdevelopment and/or struggling with overtourism, like Cat Ba Island.

19. Spread the #EarthDay love to inspire others through social media. One of my favorite sustainability quotes comes from chef Anne-Marie Bonneau: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” Just let that sink in.

With ♡, Julia Elizabeth

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