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Go Lightly: How to travel without hurting the planet
This sustainable travel handbook inspires readers to explore our fascinating planet without causing it further harm. Ten chapters help you go lightly, including how to choose the least impactful methods of travel, how best to protect wildlife, how to pack with more consideration and how to implement mindful practices into each travel day, Go Lightly gives the reader a tool kit of fresh ideas for travelling more consciously. The book also covers eco-friendly activities including biking, boating and camping, and introduces us to some of the world's most inspiring eco-adventure pioneers.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2021
7 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 21, 2022
Visually, this was an absolutely stunning book. The drawings were beautiful and really drew me in. They were beautiful.
In terms of content, I was much less taken. I think Nina has fantastic intentions and really does believe in travelling in a sustainable and ethical way. Unfortunately, I found quite a lot of her suggestions impractical. For example, her suggestion to tell street vendors that you won't be buying their souvenirs because they aren't sustainable seems quite out of touch. Aside from a likely language barrier, this puts the onus on the lowest rung of the supply chain and seems a bit cruel. I'm all for driving sustainability but lots of the suggestions didn't account for the actual economic struggles of people participating in the hospitality trade.
I think there are still good tips in there, for example bringing soap to launder your own clothes and spending more time in one place instead of costly (environmentally and financially!) country-hopping. Like most self-help or ethos based books I think there are things to pull from this book. I wouldn't recommend it, but also wouldn't actively ward anyone away from it.
In terms of content, I was much less taken. I think Nina has fantastic intentions and really does believe in travelling in a sustainable and ethical way. Unfortunately, I found quite a lot of her suggestions impractical. For example, her suggestion to tell street vendors that you won't be buying their souvenirs because they aren't sustainable seems quite out of touch. Aside from a likely language barrier, this puts the onus on the lowest rung of the supply chain and seems a bit cruel. I'm all for driving sustainability but lots of the suggestions didn't account for the actual economic struggles of people participating in the hospitality trade.
I think there are still good tips in there, for example bringing soap to launder your own clothes and spending more time in one place instead of costly (environmentally and financially!) country-hopping. Like most self-help or ethos based books I think there are things to pull from this book. I wouldn't recommend it, but also wouldn't actively ward anyone away from it.
July 26, 2022
This book is filled with great tips, valuable resources, and important conversations. Will make for a great coffee table book too as it is made from sturdy & sustainable material with lovely aesthetic visuals. This book will hopefully inspire anyone who picks it up!
June 3, 2024
Go Lightly was a very neat book and a great concept. It had many different chapters which featured different aspects of travelling. Such as, "Wild Lightly" which talks about respecting animals and being mindful of the kinds of organizations you are supporting.
Or "Eating Lightly" which talks about the impact of your food choices.
I learned many different things in this book but overall I gave this a three out of five because there were just things in this book I didn't agree with.
Yes, I am totally nitpicking in this review but as someone who is very passionate about the environment and social matters I don't want to ignore the things that rubbed me the wrong way.
And some of the words the author chose to use is actually my pet peeve.
First the author in this book used a couple words I think maybe shouldn't have been used or should have been corrected or changed.
Such as, "fragile planet" a lot of people use this word but I think it's very inaccurate as the Earth is a so strong and not fragile at all.
Humans have been screwing up Earth for who knows how long and they are still standing.
≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺
Or there is a word used on page 66. "Developing Nations." Which is controversial. (I'll refrain from getting into it as this is a book review) and sounds like the other controversial term "Third Country".
Which is outdated. Using terms like “Developed” and “Developing” for countries sound like you're putting them in a class system.
≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺
Lastly, I can't express this enough, on page 108, when referring to Black people.
Capitalize the B in Black when referring to Black people and their culture.
This differentiates between the colo(u)r and Black people. And respects their culture and history.
In the end this book still had great tips and even gave you websites and documentaries/other books to check out.
And my nitpicking shouldn't deter you from this book.
Or "Eating Lightly" which talks about the impact of your food choices.
[What is] “The biggest mistake you've made in terms of sustainable travel?
It's something I've had to resist doing. If you see a wild animal in a market and you want to buy it and set it free, you shouldn't, because you're contributing to the economy that creates that problem. You need to attack higher up.” - Céline Cousteau (Page 45)
I learned many different things in this book but overall I gave this a three out of five because there were just things in this book I didn't agree with.
Yes, I am totally nitpicking in this review but as someone who is very passionate about the environment and social matters I don't want to ignore the things that rubbed me the wrong way.
And some of the words the author chose to use is actually my pet peeve.
First the author in this book used a couple words I think maybe shouldn't have been used or should have been corrected or changed.
Such as, "fragile planet" a lot of people use this word but I think it's very inaccurate as the Earth is a so strong and not fragile at all.
Humans have been screwing up Earth for who knows how long and they are still standing.
≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺
Or there is a word used on page 66. "Developing Nations." Which is controversial. (I'll refrain from getting into it as this is a book review) and sounds like the other controversial term "Third Country".
Which is outdated. Using terms like “Developed” and “Developing” for countries sound like you're putting them in a class system.
≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺
Lastly, I can't express this enough, on page 108, when referring to Black people.
Capitalize the B in Black when referring to Black people and their culture.
This differentiates between the colo(u)r and Black people. And respects their culture and history.
In the end this book still had great tips and even gave you websites and documentaries/other books to check out.
And my nitpicking shouldn't deter you from this book.
September 18, 2021
This is really a kind of guidebook, so you can read it easily in a day, but its real purpose is to be kept and referenced when you're planning a trip.
I appreciated the book's practicality, as it's full of useful resources to consult for more eco-friendly travel options as well as concrete tips on how to approach tourism. Even more valuable, however, are the ways the author prompts you to consider what makes travel meaningful, both personally and globally. As someone who wants to be able to visit places all over the world, I plan to build off the ideas in this book to think deeply about why I want to travel and if I am visiting places with the right intent.
The book is designed to be a jumping off point for thoughtful tourism, so it doesn't cover everything. I also had a few minor points of disagreement with the author's recommendations (rodeos aren't necessarily examples of animal cruelty, for instance), but overall I am in strong agreement with her where it matters. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in travel and wants practical guidance on how to do it right.
(Also, bonus points to the book for being very well designed: nice cover, nice size and format, clean and appealing typography, beautiful illustrations. The physical production of the book was clearly well thought out.)
I appreciated the book's practicality, as it's full of useful resources to consult for more eco-friendly travel options as well as concrete tips on how to approach tourism. Even more valuable, however, are the ways the author prompts you to consider what makes travel meaningful, both personally and globally. As someone who wants to be able to visit places all over the world, I plan to build off the ideas in this book to think deeply about why I want to travel and if I am visiting places with the right intent.
The book is designed to be a jumping off point for thoughtful tourism, so it doesn't cover everything. I also had a few minor points of disagreement with the author's recommendations (rodeos aren't necessarily examples of animal cruelty, for instance), but overall I am in strong agreement with her where it matters. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in travel and wants practical guidance on how to do it right.
(Also, bonus points to the book for being very well designed: nice cover, nice size and format, clean and appealing typography, beautiful illustrations. The physical production of the book was clearly well thought out.)
October 25, 2023
Thought provoking. How can we still travel and be conscious of our carbon emissions, climate change, meeting locals, and be better travelers? This book gives several ideas many of which I knew about (not that I necessarily follow them).
I learned about "greenwashing" where hotels say they are conscious on wasteful uses but may only wash linens and clean rooms every 2 or 3 days. What else do they do? The author provides good questions to ask hotels and restaurants. Other hints she gives is how to find local tour guides.
In my future travels I will attempt a few of these ideas so I can become a better conscious traveller.
I learned about "greenwashing" where hotels say they are conscious on wasteful uses but may only wash linens and clean rooms every 2 or 3 days. What else do they do? The author provides good questions to ask hotels and restaurants. Other hints she gives is how to find local tour guides.
In my future travels I will attempt a few of these ideas so I can become a better conscious traveller.
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April 21, 2024reading slump over 😮💨
May 1, 2022
“Go Lightly” – ஆசிரியர் Nina Karnikowski (இவர் ஒரு Travel Writer). இந்த நூலின் “Blurb: How to travel without hurting the planet” என்னைக் கவர்ந்ததால் வாசித்தேன். இப்புத்தகம் 143 பக்கங்களில் ஒரு “reference book” போல வடிவமைக்கப் பட்டுள்ளது. நூலில் அதிகமாகக் காணப்படும் சொல் “sustainability”. தமிழில் “நிலைத்தன்மை”.
நூலில் “Dream Lightly”, “Pack Lightly”, “Move Lightly”, “Travel Lightly”என்று ஆரம்பித்து “Return Lightly” வரை 10 தலைப்புகளில் அத்தியாயங்கள் உள்ளன. ஒவ்வொரு அத்தியாயத்திலும், தலைப்பு பற்றிய ஒரு பத்தி, பல உப தலைப்புகளில் யோசனைகள், Conscious Travel Hero ஒருவரின் நேர்காணல் மற்றும் “ONE SMALL THING” போன்ற சிறுகுறிப்புகள் படிப்பதற்கு எளிமையாகவும், மாற்றத்தை ஏற்படுத்தக் கூடியதாகவும் உள்ளன. இப்புத்தகம் ‘Covi19” க்கு பிறகு எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது. கோவிட் 19 காலக்கட்டத்தில் உலகளாவிய கார்பன் வெளியேற்றம் 17 விழுக்காடு குறைந்ததாக முன்னுரையில் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.
ஒரு பானை சோற்றுக்குச் சில பருக்கைகள் பதம்:
Connect Lightly: (தமிழில் மொழிபெயர்த்துள்ளேன்)
நம்மில் பெரும்பாலோருக்கு, பயணநோக்கம் என்பது பல மனிதர்களோடும் தொடர்பு படுத்திக்கொள்வதற்குத்தான். நாம் மற்றவர்களின் கலாச்சாரம், வாழும் முறை பற்றி அறிந்து கொள்ளவும், நம்மிலிருந்து அவர்கள் எப்படி வேறுபடுகிறார்கள் என்று கண்டு, வீடு திரும்பியபின் நம் வாழ்க்கையை மேம்படுத்திக்கொள்ளவும் விரும்புகிறோம். மற்ற கலாச்சாரங்களோடு தொடர்பு படுத்திப்பார்ப்பது என்பது நாம் எல்லோருமே பழமையான மனித இனத்தின் ஒரு கூறு என்பதை நினைவுபடுத்துகிறது – அது தற்காலத்திற்கு மிகவும் தேவையானதும் கூட. இங்கே நாம் மற்ற எல்லா உயிர்களையும் எப்படி மதிக்கவேண்டும் என்பதை எண்ணிப்பார்க்க வேண்டும். அதேபோல நாம் வீட்டிற்குத் திரும்பியபின் இந்தச்சமூகத்திற்கு, தேவையுள்ளோருக்கு சிறந்த முறையில் எப்படித் திருப்பிச் செய்யப்போகிறோம் என்பதையும் எண்ணிப்பார்க்க வேண்டும். அதனால்தான் உள்ளூர் வழிகாட்டிகளையும், இன்னும் பல யோசனைகளையும் கவனத்தில் கொள்ள வேண்டியிருக்கிறது.
Tanya’s tips to Go Lightly:
• Do little things and urge others to do so. Think of the meme: ‘it’s just one plastic straw…said 8 billion people.’
• Wash your own clothes. Hotel laundries equate to water and energy waste, so I wash mine with me in the shower.
• Walk everywhere. It’s healthy for you and the planet, and you see, feel and experience more.
Jimmy Nelson (Conscious Travel Hero): ‘The real essence of wealth is giving more than you take’
நூலில் “Dream Lightly”, “Pack Lightly”, “Move Lightly”, “Travel Lightly”என்று ஆரம்பித்து “Return Lightly” வரை 10 தலைப்புகளில் அத்தியாயங்கள் உள்ளன. ஒவ்வொரு அத்தியாயத்திலும், தலைப்பு பற்றிய ஒரு பத்தி, பல உப தலைப்புகளில் யோசனைகள், Conscious Travel Hero ஒருவரின் நேர்காணல் மற்றும் “ONE SMALL THING” போன்ற சிறுகுறிப்புகள் படிப்பதற்கு எளிமையாகவும், மாற்றத்தை ஏற்படுத்தக் கூடியதாகவும் உள்ளன. இப்புத்தகம் ‘Covi19” க்கு பிறகு எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது. கோவிட் 19 காலக்கட்டத்தில் உலகளாவிய கார்பன் வெளியேற்றம் 17 விழுக்காடு குறைந்ததாக முன்னுரையில் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.
ஒரு பானை சோற்றுக்குச் சில பருக்கைகள் பதம்:
Connect Lightly: (தமிழில் மொழிபெயர்த்துள்ளேன்)
நம்மில் பெரும்பாலோருக்கு, பயணநோக்கம் என்பது பல மனிதர்களோடும் தொடர்பு படுத்திக்கொள்வதற்குத்தான். நாம் மற்றவர்களின் கலாச்சாரம், வாழும் முறை பற்றி அறிந்து கொள்ளவும், நம்மிலிருந்து அவர்கள் எப்படி வேறுபடுகிறார்கள் என்று கண்டு, வீடு திரும்பியபின் நம் வாழ்க்கையை மேம்படுத்திக்கொள்ளவும் விரும்புகிறோம். மற்ற கலாச்சாரங்களோடு தொடர்பு படுத்திப்பார்ப்பது என்பது நாம் எல்லோருமே பழமையான மனித இனத்தின் ஒரு கூறு என்பதை நினைவுபடுத்துகிறது – அது தற்காலத்திற்கு மிகவும் தேவையானதும் கூட. இங்கே நாம் மற்ற எல்லா உயிர்களையும் எப்படி மதிக்கவேண்டும் என்பதை எண்ணிப்பார்க்க வேண்டும். அதேபோல நாம் வீட்டிற்குத் திரும்பியபின் இந்தச்சமூகத்திற்கு, தேவையுள்ளோருக்கு சிறந்த முறையில் எப்படித் திருப்பிச் செய்யப்போகிறோம் என்பதையும் எண்ணிப்பார்க்க வேண்டும். அதனால்தான் உள்ளூர் வழிகாட்டிகளையும், இன்னும் பல யோசனைகளையும் கவனத்தில் கொள்ள வேண்டியிருக்கிறது.
Tanya’s tips to Go Lightly:
• Do little things and urge others to do so. Think of the meme: ‘it’s just one plastic straw…said 8 billion people.’
• Wash your own clothes. Hotel laundries equate to water and energy waste, so I wash mine with me in the shower.
• Walk everywhere. It’s healthy for you and the planet, and you see, feel and experience more.
Jimmy Nelson (Conscious Travel Hero): ‘The real essence of wealth is giving more than you take’
June 21, 2021
I purchased this book as a way to curate more sustainable and eco-friendly travel habits. After weathering this (on-going) pandemic, my itch to travel has only grown. I can’t wait to get back out into the vast expanses of this Earth - even better now that I have more ways of doing so ethically.
November 5, 2023
I had to order this book from the UK as none of the libraries around me in the US carried it and I avoid Amazon. Nina Karnikowski has a heart for the planet and for travel and has lots of good suggestions throughout this book. Ten "conscious travel heroes" also share advice, their "favorite green journey," and their biggest mistake in terms of sustainable travel. The book is laid out in a way that I love--bullet point suggestions, boxes for "one small thing" ideas and "go lightly" challenges, color and artwork throughout. As someone who didn't travel much when I was younger, I came to travel fairly "green" because of the rest of my life, so it was good to feel affirmed by many things she wrote.
But this book, written during COVID, with climate conditions now more clearly exacerbated by unnecessary travel, and with my own growing physical/health limitations, has me thinking more about why I travel and where/if I really want to travel still. In part, it reinforces my growing sense that, for me, staying relatively local and finding adventures closer to home has a certain charm. And to stay open to the world and new ideas, I can continue to watch travel shows and movies/shows from other countries in additional to searching out books and novels from those whose places and lives are significantly different than mine. Lots to think about . . . . .
But this book, written during COVID, with climate conditions now more clearly exacerbated by unnecessary travel, and with my own growing physical/health limitations, has me thinking more about why I travel and where/if I really want to travel still. In part, it reinforces my growing sense that, for me, staying relatively local and finding adventures closer to home has a certain charm. And to stay open to the world and new ideas, I can continue to watch travel shows and movies/shows from other countries in additional to searching out books and novels from those whose places and lives are significantly different than mine. Lots to think about . . . . .
August 18, 2024
This books makes sustainability and environmentally-conscious travel feel so accessible.
It doesn't present any of its advice as "preachy" or "must dos", simply advice that anyone can take on board, and you can take on as much of it as you want to improve the quality of your travel - both for the planet, and for yourself.
The book is well-formatted with consistent chapters that feature advice around an aspect of travel (packing, staying, eating, etc.), concluding with advice from a "Conscious Travel Hero" and their experiences, before wrapping up with an example of a sustainable holiday from the Hiking Trip to the Green City Break.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to experience the world, but doesn't want to destroy it along the way.
It doesn't present any of its advice as "preachy" or "must dos", simply advice that anyone can take on board, and you can take on as much of it as you want to improve the quality of your travel - both for the planet, and for yourself.
The book is well-formatted with consistent chapters that feature advice around an aspect of travel (packing, staying, eating, etc.), concluding with advice from a "Conscious Travel Hero" and their experiences, before wrapping up with an example of a sustainable holiday from the Hiking Trip to the Green City Break.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to experience the world, but doesn't want to destroy it along the way.
January 9, 2025
Overall, promotes an important mindset shift that's needed - looking at how to do no harm and actally try to ensure we benefit someone other than ourselves when we take up the incredible privilege of travelling.
Some tips are OTT (even for me) or contradictory - e.g. there's advice to take compostable rubbish bags, and shortly afterwards a mention of how problematic bioplastics are. And it felt a bit heavy on hiking/camping/cycling trips at time, which are certainly sustainable options, but it's probably worth acknowledging they don't align with everyone's interests and looking more at urban trips.
A short and easy read, with some ideas I'll certainly return to.
Some tips are OTT (even for me) or contradictory - e.g. there's advice to take compostable rubbish bags, and shortly afterwards a mention of how problematic bioplastics are. And it felt a bit heavy on hiking/camping/cycling trips at time, which are certainly sustainable options, but it's probably worth acknowledging they don't align with everyone's interests and looking more at urban trips.
A short and easy read, with some ideas I'll certainly return to.
January 11, 2025
My partner’s father owns a used bookstore & I found this gem on complete accident. A wonderful book! I highly recommend. I read it from front to back. Nina does a great job recommending professional advocacy with great tips and tricks. I also enjoyed the visuals and overall layout of the book. I’m typically big on reading a book and passing it on to someone else to read, but this one I might be keeping and buying anyone who would like it a copy. An easy great read for all levels and I especially enjoyed learning more about resources. I have added all Nina ‘s books to my reading list. Would love to see a book from her on traveling with pets.
June 6, 2022
I like her attitude about travel being to learn about & respect other cultures and ways of living. When it comes to recognizing the connectedness of all living beings, and the impact every one of us can have on the planet, it can be overwhelming. Don't feel you have to take every idea in this book- we can't be perfect! But enjoy some different ideas for how you might work a little more sustainability into your travel and your everyday life. And, enjoy the adorable illustrations!
October 27, 2021
This was a really helpful resource for thinking about traveling responsibly, and I'll probably need to go back through and take some notes for future reference. Good insight and web sources for all things sustainable travel related.
December 24, 2021
This book was a great reminder that sustainable travel actually makes for more meaningful travel. Lot of great tips, while still encouraging people to see the world. Bonus: the artwork in this book is beautiful.
February 15, 2022
Some links cited and packing list at the end are useful, other than that this book is mainly about white people figuring out that they can not blow 25k in one and a half weeks of holidays to a third world country.
March 23, 2022
A very visually pleasing book. A great place to start your sustainable travel journey. A little light on ideas though if you are already traveling somewhat consciously. Still found some helpful tips and overall enjoyed the book. Especially liked the slow travel aspects.
March 26, 2022
Well-designed book presenting a repertory of tips to travel well. If I could turn back time, I would definitely do some of my trips differently. The idea of WWOOFing (something I just came across here) sounds really cool, I think I might just give it a shot.
April 19, 2022
Really great idea, mildly disappointing in execution. Felt a bit like an influencer had interviewed a bunch of people and compiled what would make an excellent listicle, but a below average book. Didn't go hugely into scientific literature or even mention hitchhiking!
June 7, 2025
As a travel agent I am always trying to be educated on travel. As a vegan I have had to learn to look deeper to find local shops and restaurants in the places we travel. Accessible read on sustainable travel without shaming.
May 22, 2021
Beautifully illustrated.
July 5, 2021
A quick read with some great advice about how to make your travels lighter on our planet!
June 8, 2024
A worthwhile reminder or many things
June 20, 2024
Very insightful. Sparked an interest in camping/road tripping/van life. (Many of the other travel suggestions aren’t really my speed.) A good book to reach to learn ways to implement zero waste and sustainable practices in the world of travel. Makes you think!
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