Three Tips for Responsible and Sustainable Holidays

Holiday seasons mean a lot of things for a lot of people. Some treat this period as a nice break from work and other obligations, while others may consider spending their hard-earned income to go on trips or buy things. Whichever ways we choose to spend our holiday, we must not forget our responsibility to the people and planet. Then, how can we strive for responsible and sustainable holidays?

Traveling Responsibly

Traveling is a big part of holidays for some people. New destinations often make us feel like we have to experience as many things as possible. Still, in the middle of the euphoria of exploring new places, we must always strive to travel responsibly. 

We can start by planning our itineraries carefully to ensure our travel is purposeful and meaningful. Opting to walk, cycle, or use public transport whenever possible is one way to minimize our carbon footprint. Additionally, doing prior research on tourist destinations is a good way to avoid supporting tourist attractions that may be unethical and exploitative to animals and nature.

Consuming Mindfully

Holidays are often associated with festivities. This can mean buying new outfits, giving gifts, and having celebratory meals. As we prepare for the occasion, one of the ways we can practice mindful consumption is by shopping from local stores. Buying local products has many benefits, such as minimizing packaging waste, reducing carbon footprints, and supporting local economies. 

Additionally, mindful consumption also means avoiding excessive purchases, be it food, clothes, or gifts. In this case, grocery lists and meal plans are essential to reduce food waste. Reusing gift wrappers, newspapers, and boxes can be a way to get creative in preparing gifts for your friends and families.

Unlocking New Activities

For those who are not big fans of hitting the road and carrying luggage everywhere, relaxing at home might be your idea of a perfect holiday. While binge-watching your favorite series and doom-scrolling your phone might sound tempting, there are plenty of activities we can try to have a responsible and sustainable holiday.

For instance, we can try to upcycle clothes. As fashion waste also contributes to environmental damage, recycling old clothes can be better than throwing them into landfills. Additionally, we can also try cultivating our own gardens using hydroponics and other urban farming methods. Getting out of the house, experiencing nature, and engaging in art are also beneficial for our well-being and loved ones.

Responsible and Sustainable Holidays

Small things matter in our sustainable development journey. However, it’s also important to remember that sustainable development is a collective effort. While we do what we can in our daily lives, governments, businesses, and organizations must also do their part in shifting to responsible practices for the people and planet. Traveling responsibly, consuming mindfully, and unlocking new activities are some of the ways we can strive for responsible and sustainable holidays.

If you find this content useful, please consider subscribing to Green Network Asia
Your subscription will strengthen your personal and professional development with cross-sectoral insights on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development across the Asia Pacific and beyond, while supporting GNA’s financial capacity to continue publishing content dedicated to public education and multi-stakeholder advocacy efforts.

Select Your Subscription Plan