Summer Sustainability Challenge: Your Summer, Your Impact
- Youth Environmental Alliance
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Nicole Castilla, Marine Biologist and Florida Master Naturalist
Traveling Sustainably
Summer is a season when many people take vacations. When you travel to a new place, do you consider the methods of transportation you take to get there or to utilize while on your trip? Let’s discover some eco-friendly ways to get around town that are actually better for the planet!
Driving
Road trips are a popular choice for many summer travelers, but did you know the type of vehicle you drive can make a difference in the environment? Electric vehicles produce zero carbon emissions while they are being driven, whereas gas-powered vehicles produce around 20 pounds of carbon dioxide per gallon when on the road. This makes electric vehicles the more attractive option for a road trip, especially a long distance one.
However, electric vehicles produce around 30% to 40% more carbon emissions during their manufacturing process as opposed to gas-powered vehicles which emit less while being assembled. Although they sound like alarming numbers, the environmental benefits of a zero tailpipe emissions electric vehicle outweigh the emissions generated while being manufactured.
Biking
Riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to get around town while getting a great workout at the same time. When riding a bike, you do not have to worry about emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and you also do not have to spend money on gas. If you do not own a bicycle or are on vacation, many cities have bicycles available for rent. BrightBike, a bicycle rental program in West Palm Beach, provides the public with affordable bicycle rentals to explore the city while being sustainable.
Utilizing your own bicycle if you own one is another great alternative as biking provides a good workout while being a “green” method of transportation. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are also a good option as they run solely on an electric battery instead of gas. These bikes do not let out any carbon emissions, making them a popular mode of getting around the city.
Using Public Transportation
Public transportation is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint when going places, especially when traveling. Instead of renting a car on vacation, opt to take advantage of the public transportation offered so you can rest assured that you are protecting the planet.
Buses and trains are both more sustainable options as compared to personal vehicles, and choosing to travel via bus can save you both money and offer you a peace of mind since it is the greener alternative. According to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, a person who commutes 20 miles every day can reduce an average 48,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year by switching to public transportation such as a bus or train.
For example, a bus trip from Miami to New York (1,284 miles) emits around 1.15 kilograms of carbon dioxide, whereas a car trip would emit around 436.56 kilograms of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A round-trip Greyhound or Flixbus ticket costs an average of around $150 per person each way, while the cost of gas driving from Miami to New York would be around $221.14 each way. That is a substantial difference!
Train Travel
Traveling by train is another sustainable choice. The biodiesel-electric powered Brightline train in Florida, spanning from Orlando to Miami, is a popular method of transportation since it is an eco-conscious option for traveling across the state. With stops in several vacation destinations between both big cities, the Brightline rail system is a perfect option when considering traveling by train.
In general, trains are sustainable since they help keep cars off the road. The Amtrak fleet is committed to sustainability, and a train ride from Washington D.C. to New York can reduce carbon emissions by 70% when compared to flying.
Carpooling
This is a great option to consider for your commutes to and from work and is the easiest way to slash your driving expenses and environmental footprint overnight. By simply pairing up for the ride, you instantly cut your fuel consumption, gas costs, and tailpipe emissions right in half per passenger mile.
For the average commuter, that simple shift translates to an extra $450 to $800 back in your pocket every year on gasoline alone. The exact amount depends on what you drive: compact car owners pocket about $455 annually, mid-size sedan drivers save around $546, and those driving SUVs or trucks see a massive $758 in yearly savings. Alongside the financial perk, you are also making a major eco-impact—a two-person carpool shrinks your personal carbon footprint by up to 2,000 pounds (1 ton) of CO₂ emissions every single year.
On top of the gas and carbon savings, leaving your car at home every other day reduces wear and tear, shaving another $0.10 per mile off your maintenance costs. That adds up to an extra $500 saved for every 5,000 miles you take off your personal odometer. When you add up the fuel, the greenhouse gases saved, and splitting the cost of tolls and parking, carpooling proves that sharing the front seat is a massive win for both your bank account and the planet.
Walking
Considerably the most sustainable option yet, walking is a perfect way to get around! Taking a nice stroll around a park, sightseeing in the city, or enjoying a quiet walk in nature are all great ways to explore new places while being green. Just like biking, walking provides a good workout and can even help with improving your overall health. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the benefits of walking include building endurance, improving sleep and mood, and even preventing illness. Next time you find yourself in a walkable city, take some time to walk and get your steps in for the day.
Although these tips are great to keep in mind when traveling, many of them can actually become part of your daily routine! Little everyday changes can have a huge lasting impact on the environment.
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