By Rochelle Carney

As summer approaches, travelers are planning vacations and looking forward to well-earned breaks. Charlotte Douglas International Airport( CLT) experienced record-breaking passenger numbers in 2024, rising one spot from the previous year to become the sixth-busiest airport in the world in takeoffs and landings, and the seventh-busiest in North America in terms of passenger volume.

Many of us are mindful about making eco-friendly choices, such as recycling and composting, in our homes, but it’ s just as important to carry that same awareness with us when we travel. There are several ways travelers can enjoy their summer vacations while minimizing their environmental impact.

Strategies for traveling intentionally

fall into two broad categories: The choices we make when planning, preparing, and executing travel plans, and the choices we make once we reach our destination. Traveling to Your Destination

The portion of travel with the greatest environmental impact, air travel, can seem difficult to manage, but even this stage offers choices that yield positive results, both in the air and on the ground.

Vacation and its environmental impact begins as soon as you head to the airport. As with any discussion of impact mitigation, the first recommendation is to use public transportation. While that can be tricky with luggage, especially in a city like Charlotte that does not offer train service to the airport, other good options include rideshare services and

carpooling.

Air travel itself significantly contributes to carbon emissions. While it’ s unrealistic to avoid flying altogether, travelers can take steps to reduce their environmental footprint. Choosing nonstop flights reduces the time spent in the air, and flying directly to your destination minimizes takeoffs and landings— the most fuel-intensive parts of a flight.

American Airlines( AA), which operates most flights out of CLT, has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45 % by 2035 and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To meet these goals, AA is acquiring newer, fuel-efficient aircraft and investing in alternative energy sources. The airline also offers customers the option to offset carbon emissions associated with their flights through Cool Effect( www. cooleffect. org), which supports high-quality, verified carbon reduction projects worldwide. At Your Destination While green-certified hotels are ideal for the eco-conscious traveler, they’ re not always available. Here are ways to make

sustainable choices, even in standard accommodations:

- Reuse linens and towels: Decline daily housekeeping services to conserve water and reduce detergent use.

- Power down your room: When you go out, adjust the thermostat( or turn it off), close the shades, and turn off lights and electronics.

- Avoid single-use plastics: Bring reusable water bottles and toiletries to minimize plastic waste.

- Support local businesses: Choose locally-owned hotels or bed-and-breakfasts, which often have smaller carbon footprints than large chains.- Return plastic key cards: Policies vary, but many hotels can reuse key cards. Turning them in helps reduce plastic waste.- Advocate for change: Encourage your hotel or tour guides to adopt more sustainable practices. Your voice matters.- Engage in low-impact activities: Opt for walking tours, biking, or kayaking instead of motorized excursions.

- Dine locally: Eating at local restaurants supports the community and reduces the emissions

from transporting food.- Respect natural habitats: Stick to marked trails and avoid disturbing wildlife.- Consider volunteering: Spend part of your trip contributing to local environmental or community projects. Even a morning of service can help offset your impact. A Pledge to Travel Better

We encourage you to take the Travel Better pledge from sustainabletravel. org and voice your commitment to responsible tourism:

I am committed to protecting and preserving our planet’ s most vulnerable destinations so that future generations of residents and visitors can continue to experience their splendor for years to come. I pledge to“ Travel Better” by making a conscious effort to:- Lighten the footprint of my travels- Conserve the wild places I explore- Support the people and communities I visit- Respect the wildlife I see- Celebrate cultures authentically and respectfully- Advocate for sustainable tourism

Our carbon footprint can grow quickly if we’ re not intentional about making environmentally conscious choices. However, travelers can reduce their impact without making drastic changes. As CLT continues to grow and evolve, incorporating sustainable practices into our travel plans becomes increasingly important, especially when departing from one of the world’ s busiest airports.

As always, even a little effort can go a long way when it comes to protecting our planet.