All of us have heard of climate change – but you may not have known what kind of impact vacations have on it.
Global tourism accounts for 4.5 gigatons of carbon dioxide a year, according to a study in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change. That’s 8% of the world’s carbon emissions.
There are many ways you can contribute to reducing these numbers – and one of those ways is to take a greener vacation. No matter what kind of car you drive, you can help improve the earth through your habits. So get ready to pack up your car and travel worry-free because we’re about to go through three Southeastern vacation spots as eco- and nature-friendly as they come.
The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are already a popular getaway spot for vacationers, but did you know that it’s a treasure trove of eco-friendly destinations? If you want to learn about the land and give to organizations that help it thrive, consider these three locations:
The Dolphin Research Center
Located in Grassy Key, the Dolphin Research Center maintains over 90,000 square feet of saltwater lagoons full of dolphins and sea lions. This nonprofit organization rescues and rehabilitates marine wildlife as the Southernmost member of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. In the process, their work provides opportunities for critical research and data collection, focused on dolphin cognition, behavior, and husbandry (health monitoring).
Solar-powered water tours
There’s nothing like the crystal-clear, green-blue waters of the Keys – and now you can explore these waters in a sustainable way that helps protect the fragile marine ecosystem.Honest Eco offers a range of options on two boats. SQUID is one of the country’s first lithium-ion battery electric passenger boats; it specializes in dolphin watch tours and snorkeling with a biologist as your guide. Designed and built to ensure that both guests and the wildlife have the best experience possible, SQUID can access protected, calm and clear spots for snorkeling, and when watching dolphins, the electric boat is nearly noise-free.
The Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
For 85 years, the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden has shown visitors the beauty of Florida’s nature. You can explore 15 acres of native flora and fauna on easily accessible boardwalks, many of which are bird- and butterfly-attracting plants. The nonprofit offers educational programs for the public and sells native, rare, and endangered plants to help benefit the environment.
Plants aren’t the only things to see here. The garden acts as a major pit stop for several species of migratory birds, nourishing them before the next leg of their trip. Other displays alternate at different times of the year – like the summer Key West Art in the Garden exhibit, where the artists make pieces from recycled materials.
Atlanta, Georgia
Going green isn’t just an option for remote places. Even though Atlanta is a city, it has a surprising number of eco-friendly destinations and attractions. If you’re looking to reduce your footprint in the metropolis, here are some locations to check out:Bicycle Tours of Atlanta
There are plenty of bus and trolley tours of Atlanta – but you could also take a bicycle tour if you want to reduce emissions and get some exercise.One of the most popular programs is Bicycle Tours of Atlanta, which offers several different tours throughout the city. One strays away from the congested areas, taking you through a meandering 8-mile path of beautiful neighborhoods, colorful street art, and historical places. Another 10-mile tour guides you through historical sites from the 1960s Civil Rights movement, teaching you about social justice on the go.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden
Botanical gardens are always a must – but Atlanta’s has some extra eco-friendly features that aren’t always common.The Atlanta Botanical Garden is 30 acres of differently themed gardens with plants from all around the world. Some of the biggest attractions include the 10-acre Storza Woods, a Japanese garden, and the Fuqua Orchid Center, the country’s largest collection of orchid species.
The Atlanta BeltLine
Like any old city, Atlanta has plenty of unused railroad lines. But with the new Atlanta BeltLine, these lines are being replaced with 33 miles of walking and biking paths.The goal of the BeltLine is to create an interconnected city that’s accessible by foot, dotted with public parks, food vendors, art displays, and more. The project will remove and clean soil contaminated by industrial use during paving and create or improve 1,300 acres of parks. Construction won’t finish until after 2030, but several miles of paths are already in place for you to walk, bike, or skate around town.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Florida is usually the state known for its beaches, but Alabama can hold its own, too. The best part is that the Gulf Coast is trying to be more sustainable for locals and travelers than ever before. Here are some places you can see those efforts:
Gulf State Park
With 6,500 miles of untouched coastline, Gulf State Park is the place to be for beachgoers and adventurers alike.The area includes nine ecosystems like freshwater lakes, dunes, pine savannas, and beaches for you to visit. Right now, the site is in the throes of the Gulf State Park Enhancement Project, which looks to restore beaches and dunes and protect wildlife. Over $85 million will go toward items like restoring 50 acres of dune habitat and building a Research and Education Center for K-12 schools.
There’s also The Lodge at Gulf State Park, which practices the three pillars of sustainable tourism: environmentally friendly operations and facilities, support for cultural and natural heritage protection, and direct and tangible social and economic benefits to local people.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
“Bon Secour” is French for “safe harbor,” – and that’s exactly what the site provides for local wildlife.Since 1980, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge has protected over 7,000 acres that house and sustain migratory birds, endangered beach mice, sea turtles, and more. Visitors can see these species at a safe distance on four separate trails. But that’s far from the only activity available. You can also kayak in clear waters, catch both saltwater and freshwater fish, bird watch or go on an informative walk with a ranger.
Cetacean Cruises
There are many boat tours to choose from on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. But Cetacean Cruises is the only one in the entire state that's part of the Dolphin SMART safety and protection program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
As a bonus, Cetacean Cruises captains know the local dolphins so well that they named most of them and can identify dolphins based on their unique dorsal fins!