Outer Banks Sunrise

Below is a recent post from the Audubon Magazine Blog that hits on some great tips for traveling…especially to the Outer Banks.  The post focuses on “greening” your travel plans…but on the OBX, we like to focus on “greening” and “blueing.”  The post is in its entirety, but some Outer Banks related notes and links have been added. 

Enjoy your green & blue traveling!

Now that spring is here, many people are starting to plan their summer vacation. Whether you’re looking to go across the world or merely across your state, these 16 tips will help reduce your carbon footprint.

Planning

• Book direct flights, or as few transfers as possible (takeoffs and landings use lots of fuel). 
  • OBX Note:  Williamsburg/Newport News & Hampton Roads airports are only 1.5 – 2 hours drive from the OBX. 
• Rent a hybrid minivan and vacation with friends to save on fuel and costs. 
  • OBX Note:  Traveling/vacationing with friends/family is a great suggestion, and in addition to a rental car, a beautiful vacation rental home can save money and bring the group closer together.   
• Vacation closer to home and visit nearby state or national parks, or a new birding trail.
  • OBX Note:  The Outer Banks has great national and state parks (Jockey’s Ridge, Wright Brother’s Memorial, Cape Hatteras National Seashore) and some amazing nature/birding. 
• If you’re visiting an exotic locale, consider doing an eco-volunteer vacation.
• When booking accommodations, whether at home or abroad, ask about environmental certifications, like Sustainable Travel International or Green Globe.
• Trains are a great way to travel; Amtrak’s Northeast trains, which run on electricity, are the cleanest rail option. So consider a trip to New York, Boston, or Washington, D.C.
• When flying, avoid booking a first-class seat, which takes twice as much room and therefore twice as much carbon as an economy seat.
• A bus will cut your carbon in half, even compared with a hybrid car; taking a bus instead of flying can cut your emissions by 75 percent. Visit GotoBus.com, Greyhound, Trailways.
• Fly airlines with newer, more efficient fleets.

Packing

• Fly light—lugging aboard 10 extra pounds per passenger requires an additional 350 million gallons of jet fuel 
  annually (enough to fly a 747 continuously for a decade).
  • OBX Note:  Vacation rental homes offer washer and dryers so you can pack light and even return home with clean clothes!
• Bring your own reusable water bottles (if you’re flying, make sure the containers are empty when you pass through security).
• Pack snacks/meals in reusable containers.

Traveling

• Traffic congestion boosts emissions, so avoid driving during peak times.
  • OBX Note:  Outer Banks traffic is heaviest on Saturday’s during the summer. 
• Save fuel by properly inflating your tires.
• At your destination, ask about public transportation, or even rent bikes.
• Support sustainable local businesses. Check these websites: greenmap.org for shops and activities,dinegreen.com for certified eco restaurants, and localharvest.org for farmers’ markets.

Bon voyage!