Beach vacations are always a favorite choice for many people. White sandy beaches, crashing waves, and fresh sea air can provide a sense of calm and happiness. However, behind their beauty, many beaches in Indonesia are beginning to be damaged due to the behavior of tourists who are not concerned about the environment. Plastic waste, food waste, and damage to the marine ecosystem are now a real threat to the preservation of beaches.
Therefore, as travelers, we must be careful and vigilant when traveling to avoid damaging the environment. This includes when traveling to the beach. So, what can we do to keep the beach clean and undamaged?
10 Ways to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveler at the Beach
In order to preserve the beauty of beaches for future generations to enjoy, travelers need to play an active role in maintaining cleanliness and balance in nature. Here are 10 ways to protect the environment when traveling to the beach that you can apply. I have already implemented some of these when traveling to the beach.
1. Bring Your Own Water Bottle and Eating Utensils
One of the biggest sources of trash on the beach is single use plastic bottles and food containers. To reduce this, bring a tumbler or refillable water bottle and personal eating utensils like stainless steel spoons, forks, or straws.
In addition to being more economical, this habit also helps reduce plastic waste that is difficult to decompose. In addition, more and more restaurants are becoming environmentally conscious, such as cafes or food stalls around the beach that now provide refillable drinking water at affordable prices.
2. Bring Eco-Friendly Bags
When going to the beach, use a tote bag or woven bag to carry snacks or food and avoid using plastic bags. Not only does it look cooler and more practical, but this small step also helps reduce the amount of plastic that often ends up in the ocean and pollutes the marine ecosystem, including coral reefs and small organisms such as plankton.
3. Don't Litter
As a traveler, you are probably familiar with the main rule when traveling anywhere, including when visiting the beach, leave nothing behind except your footprints. So, you must ensure that all trash, including cigarette butts, food wrappers, and tissues, is brought back and disposed of in the available trash bins. If there are no trash bins, collect your trash in your own bag and dispose of it when you find the right place. This simple attitude sets a positive example for other visitors.
4. Bring Eco-Friendly Products
When vacationing at the beach, we often use sunscreen, soap, or shampoo to protect our skin. However, some products contain chemicals such as oxybenzone that can damage coral reefs. So, don't forget to choose reef safe or natural body care products. Not only are they safer for the marine ecosystem, but they are also gentler on the skin.
5. Don't Take Coral, Shells, or Marine Life
Many tourists who visit the beach are tempted to take home coral, sand, or shells as souvenirs. However, this can disrupt the balance of the beach ecosystem. Take only photos and videos as memories, not by taking anything from the sea or beach. Remember, beaches are beautiful because their ecosystems are intact and undamaged, not because we take parts of them home with us.
6. Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation
If possible, choose high-capacity transportation, public transportation, or bicycles to get to the beach. Using these modes of transportation can help reduce the use of private vehicles, which in turn can help reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
However, some beach tourist areas now offer bike rental services or electric vehicles that are more environmentally friendly. This activity makes exploring the tourist area more fun while also being responsible for exploring the beach.
7. Participate in Beach Cleanups or Other Voluntourism Activities
Many communities and nature lovers regularly organize beach cleanups. I have participated in these activities several times. Joining these activities not only makes the beach cleaner, but also provides a meaningful social experience for my life.
You can invite your friends to join and make beach clean-ups part of your travel itinerary. A little time set aside can have a big impact on nature.
8. Protect Marine Life and Wildlife
The beach is not only a place for human recreation, but also home to many living creatures such as turtles, seabirds, and various types of fish. When snorkeling or diving, avoid touching coral reefs or marine animals, as direct contact can damage the coral structure and disturb the animals' lives. For example, if you are camping on the beach, do not make a campfire too close to wildlife habitats as this can disturb them.
9. Conserve Water and Energy
Based on personal experience, being by the sea means that fresh water is often limited in coastal areas. So use water sparingly when showering or cleaning, especially if you are staying in a small inn. In addition, make it a habit to turn off lights and electronic devices when not in use. By conserving water and energy, you are contributing to the conservation of natural resources in coastal areas.
10. Providing Environmental Awareness Education
I believe that big changes always start with small steps, including in terms of caring for the environment. After taking an eco-friendly trip, share your experience on social media or your personal blog. Tell people how you kept the beach clean, used eco-friendly products, or participated in a community clean-up. That way, you can inspire more people to do the same.
My thought
In my opinion, preserving the beauty of beaches is not the responsibility of a few people, but a shared task for the community, government, and local authorities. So let's work together to preserve their beauty and sustainability. With simple steps such as reducing plastic use, not littering, and protecting marine life, we can be responsible tourists at the beach.
Traveling to the beach will feel more rewarding when we know that every small action we take contributes to keeping the earth green and the sea blue. So, when you plan your next beach vacation, make sure you not only bring your adventurous spirit, but also your concern for the environment. What have you done from the above ways to keep the beach sustainable? Share in the comments section.
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