How to reduce your carbon footprint while on a backpacking holiday

A backpacking holiday is a great way to experience different ways of life in countries throughout the world. But while it is understandable you may be worried about the environmental impact of going travelling, it is possible to minimise your carbon footprint.

One of the biggest things you will need to think about - and one of the largest contributors to the ecological footprint of your backpacking adventures - is the places you visit and how you intend to get there.

You may be keen to take in the ancient architecture of Rome or see Barcelona's breathtaking museums during your travels and while flying can be a quick and cheap way to reach mainland Europe, it is not always the most environmentally friendly. If you're going backpacking in the continent make sure you consider other forms of transport, such as ferries or trains.

The latter can be an especially effective green method of transport and you can use the Eurostar to travel from London to France and beyond. It is possible to purchase an international rail pass that can take care of all your travel needs in one go.

Selecting the train means that when you arrive in your destination you should be in a central location close to your hotel and the main tourism sights. However, if you arrive in a country by plane you are likely to land at an airport several miles away from a city centre, meaning that you have to get a taxi, train or some other form of transport to get to your accommodation, increasing your carbon footprint in the process.

However, there are some places where it is simply not possible to get to by train. For long-haul destinations such as the United States, New Zealand and Australia, you will have little option to fly there.

But it is still possible to minimise the ecological impact of travelling to these places. Many airlines and tour operators now give you the chance to 'offset' your emissions your travel creates by making a donation to support environmental projects.

This money could go towards the planting of trees and allow you to do your bit for the planet. Participating in environmental activities, such as volunteering at conservation projects, can also help to make the world that little bit greener during your backpacking travels.

Whichever country you decide to visit, you should also consider your transport needs within that destination and the environmental impact this will incur.

Walking and cycling are particularly green ways of getting around and could be a great way for you to get some exercise. If you're going to be travelling a little further, you may want to use public transport such as trains and trams as opposed to taxis or driving a car yourself.

If you do decide to hire a rental car, however, make sure you opt for the most eco-friendly model possible.

But there is much more to green backpacking holidays then transport. You are likely to take a range of electronic gadgets, such as a mobile phone and iPod, away with you but instead of also bringing a number of chargers for them, why not take a single product that runs on the power of the sun?

These eco-friendly devices often come with a range of adapters so they can be used with various electronic appliances and as you do not have to plug them into a mains electricity source, they could help to reduce your use of fossil fuels.

For as green a backpacking trip as possible, you should also try to buy as much seasonal food as you can - doing so means that you will not eat things that have been flown in from hundreds of miles away - and you will be purchasing products made by local businesses.

With a little thought, you should find that you can go on fantastic backpacking holidays while doing your bit for the environment at the same time

Written by travelsupermarket.com, who specialise in helping you find cheap holidays