I am now working remotely as a Carbon Zero Operations Expert and enjoy educating those on simple energy saving tips through to the more in depth conversations on how to positively transform their home to reach Carbon Zero. I specialise in Solar, Heat pumps, Electric Vehicles, EV Chargers and am now starting to educate myself around wind and biomasses.
In 2022, I spent four months backpacking from Mexico to Costa Rica, challenging myself to travel as sustainably as possible. It wasn't about being perfect, but about making better choices where I could and learning from the people and places I encountered.
During the trip, I volunteered through Workaways, stayed in eco-hostels, worked alongside local communities, and met other travellers who cared about reducing their impact too. I discovered some incredible ecosystems, picked up practical sustainable travel tips, and gained a whole new perspective on what responsible travel can look like.
This blog is where I've collected those experiences—travel stories, sustainable swaps, honest reflections, and recommendations that I hope will inspire others to explore the world a little more thoughtfully.
I do understand how frustrating it is when millionaires and billionaires slam their private jets and consume more fuel in one flight than the majority of us will use in a life time. It is unexplainable. I agree, it is those leading businesses who input the most greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and that is out of our control. We can still however, encourage our governments to sign up to agreements like the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and to strive to achieve targets such as the 17 SDGs (sustainable development goals).
However, it should never stop you from trying to cut down on single use plastics and to still aim for a zero waste lifestyle. On a local scale, if we all try to cut down the impacts would be phenomenal. One small example: if everyone in one small town took their reusable coffee cups to a coffee shop, there would be less waste to fill the local bins up. No straws to be dropped onto the floor. The streets would be cleaner. The bins are less likely be over flowing. The bin men wouldn't endure as much stress. The cafe would not need to order so many single use products. You get a small thrill and sense of achievement from being sustainable.
If more people travelled actively via walking, cycling or scootering - there would be less demand on hydrocarbons, less air pollution, less noise pollution, less traffic, less stress due to varied travel times. The individual would become healthier, physically and mentally. Less dependent on the national health service. A sense of satisfaction. Again, creating a greater quality of life.
'It does not make a difference if you're the only one doing it'. Not technically true, but I understand the struggle. If I change, and you also change. That is already twice the impact.
It is not a reason to stop trying to improve your quality of life and those around you.
My name is Amy Figgins and I am a sustainability enthusiast.
Do you have a question about the way i travel, any of my work or an article suggestion? Don't be afraid to leave a comment, share your ideas or just say hello.
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