For many, one of the most urgent issues of our time is global warming. Scientists say rising temperatures and other changes to the world’s climate could wreak havoc on humanity or threaten our survival on Earth.
Much of the conversation focuses on fossil fuels, and every RV owner knows their rig loves to guzzle gas. So, where do RVs fit in the conversation about our changing climate and the potentially dire effects?
Let’s explore this hot topic.
What Is Global Warming?
Global warming (or climate change) is the term many use to refer to the phenomenon of shifts in the global climate. These shifts often have harmful effects on humans or other life.
They are most noticeable in the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere, and oceans, a process that climate scientists say has resulted in rising global seas, stress on marine life, and more powerful and unusual weather worldwide.
Experts believe these changes have been brought on or accelerated by human activity releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, like the burning of fossil fuels, clearing of forests, or raising livestock. They warn that the changing climate could lead to stronger storms and natural catastrophes like famine and drought.
Is RVing Contributing to Global Warming?
It’s inarguable that RVs consume gas and are among the least fuel-efficient vehicles. But in the grand scheme of things, they’re not a significant contributor to global warming or climate change.
This is primarily due to the limited number of RVs worldwide. Even the millions of RVs on the road today don’t add up to a tiny fraction of the greenhouse gases emitted by fossil fuel power plants and industries like cattle ranching or trucking!
Eliminating every RV wouldn’t have any appreciable effect on the trajectory of the climate and human impact.
Is Living in An RV Eco-Friendly?
Eco-friendly RVing is certainly possible, but not without effort. For one, RVs are far smaller than most homes. This means residents will use less energy staying warm or cool, as well as powering fewer devices and appliances.
The difference can be even more profound if your RV has renewable energy systems like solar or wind power. But RVers can lose much of this gain if they get their power from dirty gas generators.
Living in an RV forces you to get by with less, meaning you’ll contribute fewer items to the general pile of “stuff” that may end in a landfill. RV camping can also be a more eco-friendly way to travel than taking an airplane and staying in a hotel.
However, if you’re not careful, RVing can result in buying products with more packaging due to a lack of storage space and the inability to buy in bulk. This means more trash, which you may not always be able to recycle.
How Can You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When Traveling?
Even if your RV or trailer isn’t the leading cause of climate change, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to reduce your impact. Here are some of the most straightforward steps to lowering your carbon footprint.
Compost
Composting refers to taking food scraps and other organic waste and reusing them. You would allow the mixture to decay before applying it to plants and other green spaces. The organic matter acts as a fertilizer, helping supercharge plant growth.
Rather than ending up in a dump where decomposition releases carbon back into the atmosphere, composing helps plants recapture this carbon for their growth instead.
Recycle
Plastics require high amounts of petroleum products, and even glass needs lots of fossil fuel-powered energy to produce. Every bottle, can, or another container that someone recycled or reused is one fewer that needs to be made.
Additionally, recycling helps keep trash out of landfills and the ocean, protecting the environment.
Convert Lights to LED
If you’ve ever burned yourself on a traditional lightbulb that’s been on for a while, you’ll know that older bulbs waste a significant amount of energy. Ultra-efficient LEDs use far less energy by eliminating waste heat, among other ways.
LED lights can run far longer on the same battery or shore power, reducing your rig’s overall usage.
Don’t Use Plastic
The materials that go into plastics are not eco-friendly, primarily those made from oil and its byproducts. Cutting out more plastic from your life reduces overall demand, part of a comprehensive effort to use fewer disposable containers. Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down entirely, so do your part to keep them from the environment.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
We all have to keep our rigs clean, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use green products. Numerous brands come in concentrates, allowing you to add your water rather than having the extra weight shipped from the factory.
Many cleaning products eventually end up in the oceans, so using eco-friendly ones means a lower impact on the environment.
Reduce Generator Use
Generators may be a convenient way to enjoy full electrical power in your rig, no matter where you are. However, they’re unfortunately pretty bad for the environment. You should use these gas-powered devices in moderation and avoid them if alternatives are available.
For a greener RV power alternative, try using solar or wind. These renewable, eco-friendly methods of energy production, paired with an inverter, can provide your RV with the same experience as a generator, minus the fossil fuels and noise!
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Is Eco-Friendly RV Travel Feasible?
A reality of traveling any significant distance from home is that you’re almost certainly increasing your carbon footprint. Some methods are naturally worse, for example, flying.
While RV travel will certainly require burning a significant amount of fossil fuel, there’s no reason you can’t take steps to make your trip a bit greener. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll find your travels will be as eco-friendly as possible. What do you do to reduce your carbon footprint?
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