Work and Travel GREEN
Our REAL community of travelers strives to encourage environmentally conscious backpackers to have a unique travel experience with the lowest possible ecological footprint, while helping local business, and respecting native culture.
South America is now booming with backpackers traveling around and exploring every part of the continent. This is great for tourism but as REAL Backpackers we want to educate and encourage that while we explore these amazing places, we ensure to ‘tread lightly’ and avoid negative impacts on the environment and cultures that we come into contact with.
Eco-tourism: "Responsible travel to natural areas that convserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)
Eco-tourist: "Tourists who seek authentic local experiences and opportunities to give back to the communities they visit." Many eco-tourists participate in "voluntourism" activities.
Sustainable Tourism: founded on the principles of Sustainable Development: "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Bruntland Commission, 1987)
Tips for Staying Green
⇒ Minimize air travel
- Air travel contributes 2-3% of total global carbon emissions
- Buses are better! (Read our blog about taking buses from Bogota, Colombia to Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Purchase carbon offsets for your flight
⇒ Travel, Unplugged.
- Whether your backpacking for a few weeks or on a several year wander remember to disconnect your home before you leave
- Turn off heat, fans, airconditioning, lights, etc. when not in use in hostels
- Don't foget about cell phone, Ipod, and laptop cords sucking up vampire power
⇒ Local Eats
- Eating locally reduces "food miles" and is one of the best carbon-reducing daily practices
- South American markets are cornacopias of fresh local produce
- Eating at local restaurants and buying food from locally owned grocery stores and markets re-invests money into your host community
⇒ Cool backpackers skip baths…
- or… Save water and shower with a friend!
- Spend more time exploring and less time under the shower head
- Reuse clothes and towels rather than washing after each use (ps Laundramats can get pricey on the road!)
⇒ Don't overpack
- Stuffing things you won't use into your pack creates waste…and a heavy bag to lug around!
⇒ Green Services
- When you have to fly choose companies which provide carbon offset options
- Stay in eco-lodges or eco-friendly hostels which have good sustainability protocols
- Give back to the community economically by soliciting local guide services and tours
Green Hiking and Camping
Here at REAL we love exploring the nature Latin America has to provide! From the lucious green rainforests of Colombia to the icy, wind-swept peaks of Chilean and Argeninean Patagonia. We want future generations to enjoy this nature and strongly believe that as hikers and eco-backpackers we responsible to help preserve the environment and make our camping trip as earth friendly as possible.
⇒ Keep the trail/park cleaner than when you arrived
- Practice this mantra and clean up, not only after yourself, but others who may have polluted
- Keep a small bag attatched to the outside of your backpack to put any trash into that you find along the trail
⇒ Stick to the trail
- We all love adventure, but there's plenty to be had on-trail.
- Trekking through unmarked trails can damage ecosystems
⇒ H20
- If cool backpackers skip baths, then hikers are super cool! Remember, your in nature!
- If your in need of a serious clean, only use 100% natural soap
- Filter drinking water rather than packing bottled water
⇒ Gear
- Recycle used camping gear, or borrow from a friend
- Keep your equipment in good condition so that it will live a longer life
- Reduce dependence on electronics during your hike. If you need electronics try a solar, hand-crank, or shake charger.
- Utilize re-usable gear: cookware, utensils, etc.
⇒ "Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires"
- If it says "No Fires" there is a reason. Don't try to be a champ and blaze up a roaring campfire
- Careless tourists are often blamed for wild fires…Don't be that guy!
- Deal with cigarettes responsibly bearing in mind the risk of fire and not littering
- Use extra caution when cooking with gas burners especially around tents
