Hey there, we’ve moved to a new website a few months ago. This story was originally posted on November 29, 2015 on our previous blog!
Today, on the eve of the climate conference in Paris, hundreds of thousands of people join climate marches around the world. They are calling for action against climate change. Where policy makers and multinationals should take responsibility and become frontrunners in global climate action, the credo ´think globally, act locally´ is more than ever applicable to individuals like you and me.
After all, a sustainable lifestyle is a matter of choice. This also applies to sustainable traveling.
When you travel, transportation accounts for 50% of your carbon footprint, followed by your choice of accommodation (35%) and finally, the activities at your travel destination (15%) (source: Greenseat). Knowing this, you can choose options to lessen the impact of your trip on our global climate as well as the local environment of your destination.
Holland is a fantastic country for sustainable traveling.
If you look at transportation, the fact that Holland has a relatively small surface area makes touring from one place to another short in time and low in emissions. There is a wide network of public transportation and it is extremely easy to plan your journey online beforehand. The Dutch railway company has the ambition to run all trains on green power by 2018. Moreover, Holland is perhaps the most bicycle friendly place in the world. You can rent a bike in every town and near railway stations to reach your destination in a flexible way.
Once you’re here, picking sustainable accommodation can make a difference. Dutch people love to pitch a tent (or caravan), and there are thousands of pretty camp sites throughout the country. Try one of the 140 natural campsites or, if you want to go all basic, make a bivouac at a ‘pole campsite’. If weather makes sleeping under the stars less attractive, rent a cottage from one of the Dutch nature conservation organisations or find a local B&B with an eye for a sustainable household.
Finally, there are many ways to explore the best of Holland while doing good for our planet. Choose your activities away from tourist overloaded – and often expensive – attractions. Discover the real Dutch culture by visiting local highlights. Find out what nature conservation means in Holland at nature reserves or national parks. Other than that, be conscious about what you eat. A vegetarian diet is widely accepted in Holland and nearly every restaurant has good, meatless dishes on its menu.
What other suggestions can you think of for sustainable traveling in Holland?