Within our network, the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations, more than 20'000 volunteers travel to international Workcamps around the world every year. This exchange often has many positive effects on the volunteers as well as the local communities and organizations which are involved in organizing the projects.
At the same time, participating in an international Workcamp means you are making your way to another region, country or even continent and might require air travel which we know does not have the best impact on the environment. Also, not always does the local population appreciate or benefit from increased tourism. So, how can you make your trip as appropriate as possible?
Avoid air travel
Although in many cases it may take a little longer to reach your destination you are doing the climate a great favor when you travel by train, bus, bike or even hitchhike, instead of boarding a budget airline. Especially within Europe this is easily done. Have a look at the "Sustainable Transport Infosheet" for more details on travel options.
You can search for international connections for trains, buses and ferries and book tickets online on the following sites:
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Trainline (train and bus tickets)
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Omio (train, bus, plane and ferry tickets)
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CheckMyBus (long-distance buses in Germany and worldwide)
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Busbud (long-distance buses in Germany and worldwide)
In most cases, you can also buy train tickets directly via the respective provider’s website. For example here:
Anyone living in Europe can travel with an Interrail pass which offers you flexible journeys on most trains in 33 countries. For some express and night trains you have to pay an additional charge and reserve a seat. Anyone who is under 27 or over 60 receives the pass at a discount.
Travel light
Just pack what you really need. Not only is it a lot more enjoyable to walk through a foreign city with just a single backpack rather than a large suitcase and three bags, less weight also equals less emissions! If you pack (bio-degradable) laundry detergent, you no longer need to bring one t-shirt per day, but you can simply wash in between. Packing smart you can usually save lots of space and weight. Find an overview of what our volunteers definitely put in their backpack in our info booklet for volunteers.
Save water and energy while traveling
Try not to consume more water and energy than necessary during your journey. Water is very scarce in many regions of Europe and the world, clean drinking water even more so. So use it conciously. Of course, especially in hot regions, air-condition or fans are often very pleasant to have; think about whether you really need both runing the whole night.
Respect people and cultures
Sustainability does not just mean protecting the environment. Sustainable travel also involves how you treat the people you meet on your journey. Inform yourself before your trip to the culture, history and nature of your travel destination. Even if you do not speak the language of the country, learning "Hello", "Bye" and "Thank you" by heart is often a great start to get around. Even such small gestures show your respect and can sometimes go a long way with local people.
Respect the environment
This does not just concern leaving your trash on the beach or litter in a national park. It also means not to go beyond barriers or walk cross-country through protected areas or approach wild living animals – even if it would be a perfect selfie opportunity. Of course, garbage and waste is still a big topic: Even if you do not want to spend two full weeks doing a cleanup (which can be a lot of fun, by the way), you can still pick up three pieces of plastic trash whenever you're on the beach or in the woods and dispose of them properly.
Buy and eat local
This counts while traveling just as well as at home: supporting local shops and businesses is, in most cases, much more sustainable than giving your money to large corporations. In addition, you will get to know the country even better. Just swap eating at global fast food chain for a typical regional meal at the eatery around the corner from the hostel. Or look for souvenirs a bit off the big shopping streets. Local people benefit much more from this personal exchange – and you might as well :-)
To travel in a more sustainable way means to pay attention to social justice, to respect foreign cultures, and to minimize the negative influence of your journey on the environment.
You think the topic is interesting and want to learn more? Or you have some great tips for more sustainability while traveling yourself? Share your experience with us and contact us.