Eco-tourism | Carbon off-setting | Travel by train | Break the habits | Burn baby burn | Stay at home

Break the habits

Even if you are not mopping up your carbon dioxide emissions as you travel out to some eco-lodge, it’s still possible to reduce your carbon footprint while on a regular sun, sea and sand holiday.

When on vacation, it is easy to get into extravagant habits which can have a huge impact on the area you are staying in. Leaving lights on unnecessarily, taking long or frequent showers and reaching for that air-con controller are all culprits and good habits to break, wherever in the world you are. But on vacation when you are not directly paying for it is particularly easy to forget, and that can place a huge drain on local resources.

This is particularly the case at island resorts where resources may be far more limited than on the mainland. Similarly, opt for the smallest practical hire cars on offer and decline any free upgrades to larger cars since they will inevitably use more petrol.

And finally, only buy things that are locally produced . Not matter how delighted you may be to have spotted a jar of your favourite pesto in a Moroccan supermarket, just remember that it’s not just your own carbon footprint you have to worry about but also your food’s.