Leave behind the smallest possible trace, reduce water and energy consumption, whenever it’s possible, and produce as little garbage as possible.
- If you visit sensitive ecosystems, such as desert areas, forests or jungles, get informed about how to behave with the aim of not degrading them.
- Respect wild life and natural habitat.
- Buy products whose manufacture does not require the use of shells, plants or animals belonging to endangered species or harvested on a massive scale, potentially damaging the environment or biodiversity. Be very careful about lighting fires, as it may cause severe damage if you do so at inappropriate places.
- If you visit protected natural spaces, be aware that these have been created to preserve places and species of important ecological value. Do not move outside of trails or access areas permitted to visitants.
- If you go to the countryside, do not disturb animals and try not to make noise what could severely stress them; do not touch bird nests and eggs.
- If you find hurt or sick animals, inform the local authorities.
- If you like hunting or fishing, don’t do these activities outside the spaces reserved for them or outside the legal hunting or fishing seasons.
- Do not take part in activities causing animal mistreatment.
- Certain ingredients found in some sunscreen products are very harmful to marine life and coral reefs, even in minute quantities and even if you shower with them in your hotel room. If your sunscreen contains any of these ingredients, look for an alternative that is safe for the marine environment: oxybenzone, benzophenone-1, benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-benzylidene camphor, nano-titanium dioxide, nano-zinc oxide, octinoxate, octocrylene.
- Washing or swimming using shampoos, lotions and gels that contain “microbeads” can cause serious long-term damage to biodiversity. Many countries have already banned them, so do not travel with them.
