Sustainability And Travel During A Pandemic

As soon as the Pandemic has eased its grip on the world, getting out, seeing the world, experiencing the different cultures is one thing to look forward to. It's best to dream now and travel later, but that doesn't mean it's wrong to plan. Just understand that any plan you make will need to be flexible and adaptive.

Dreaming And Planning Your Trip

Dreaming about where to travel can be a great way to pass the time and help alleviate the uncertainty and stressors of the unknown. You can make lists of all the places and things you like to visit and create checklists of what to do when you are there. Planning will eliminate many headaches and concerns when you finally do travel, allowing you to kick back and enjoy yourself and your trip a little more.

Whether you fantasize about wandering around the outback of Australia, hiking through the lush forests of central Africa or Central America, or are looking for more refined experiences that only the sophisticated understand, what you plan now is what you can do tomorrow.

For example, if visiting New York or Dublin is your dream, consider the elaborate Baccarat Hotel in New York City or The Merrion Hotel in Dublin. You'll feel like you've traveled in time to a period of elegance and majesty much different than what we have today. The Baccarat Hotel will transport you with its charm, elegance, and sophistication. The hotel is known for its ornate crystal wall that holds over 2,000 crystal glasses weighing over two-tons. During certain parts of the day, sunlight refracts rainbows across the room that runs from the floor to ceiling, 25 feet above.

Traveling During A Pandemic

Suppose you plan to travel during the pandemic; in that case, make a safe travel plan. Your plan should include visiting only those places that are compliant with public health guidance, sites and businesses that offer a detailed list of their cleaning protocols, and one such as the Bacarrat Hotel that has its own Director of Environmental Health and Safety should go a long way to ease your concerns.

Visiting the Great Outdoors

Perhaps being outdoors is more in line with your tastes. Exploring the secluded redwoods of Sonoma County and wine country may be a great option. Just be sure to follow the State of California's public health guidelines. Recently, California started their marketing campaign, R.E.S.P.E.C.T., which stands for "Roam responsibly, Educate yourself, Safety first, Preserve California, Embrace community, Celebrate culture, and Teach others."

For those who are willing to wait it out until such a time that travel is deemed safer, there is one positive thing that has come from all of us staying home.

That one positive that has come from the various shutdowns and slowdowns is that there has been less damage to the environment. The impact on the climate and effects of greenhouse gases has actually decreased during the pandemic. There are many causes for this, from the impact of global climate policy such as that from the Paris Climate Accords to the fact that there are fewer cars on the road and hence less demand for fossil fuels.

Managing Environmental Impacts Upon Reopening

So once we can safely reopen our society and industries, how can we sustain this positive trend of slowing greenhouse gas emissions? One opportunity is to pursue more long-term emissions plans that rely on sustainable fuel sources and work on strategies that address the overall demand management of resources that are already in use. Pairing the two approaches of resource management and alternative fuel sources are a great way to mitigate the damage that specific fuel sources cause.

This strategy is especially true in urban and suburban communities. Creating a sustainability plan in your community, coupled with a conservation and preservation plan, is crucial in maintaining the good that has occurred during the shutdowns. One way a traveler can influence positive action is to make responsible decisions with your purchasing power. Whether you plan to travel to the coast, forest, desert, or city, knowing that you're dollars are supporting a responsible business is one of the best ways for you to let your views be known.