Local Heroes Series: Lin Theik, Myanmar
Posted On
08/18/20
Author
Dragons HQ
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Meet Lin Theik
Lin is a 29 year old tour guide, educator, and entrepreneur from Myanmar. The ninth of ten children, Lin has a contagious enthusiasm for travel, learning from differing perspectives, and environmental entrepreneurism. Linn is a hero on many fronts - from exposing local youth to a variety of cultures within the borders of his own country to finding creative solutions for reusing plastic.
Lin’s Story
Lin had been working as a guide with a tour company leading young American students throughout Myanmar when he asked himself, “Why not do this with local students?” This question inspired him to found an organization, called Promised Land, that brings local youth on trips within Myanmar that exposes them to differing cultures and perspectives found within their own country.
Lin teaches Myanmarese youth how to travel, guiding his students to reflect upon their own experiences and helping them to build a cohesive group dynamic. Students learn leadership skills, oversee the group budget, engage in trekking, and have discussions with local community members. Lin tries to give them, “what they cannot get from the city.” He says, “I’m trying to let them see what you really need to see, trying to get them to think outside the box.” Through these immersive and hands-on travel experiences, Lin aspires to cultivate a combination of confidence and respect within his students.
Lin shares that one of the biggest obstacles in working with the youth of Myanmar is in fact their parents! Culturally, parents aren’t accustomed to being apart from their children and have high expectations for consistent communication and a low tolerance for separation. Lin surmounts these obstacles by posting daily messages on social media for the parents as well as keeping the trip length to a maximum of four days!
Over the years, two prominent figures have influenced Lin’s approach to life. The first was his late father, whose wisdom shaped Lin’s heart-centered manner in which he approaches people. His father taught him,
'People will forget what you say and what you give, but they will never forget how you treat them.' The second was a former boss, who taught Lin, 'When you talk to the people, you talk with your heart, not with your brain.'
Those words of wisdom have a visible effect on the way in which Lin interacts with others; he exudes a zest for life and heart-centeredness that permeates all of his encounters.
Lin states, “Traveling is important … to see the world in a different perspective.” He surmises that traveling is akin to standing in front of a mirror; it provides the opportunity to reflect upon one’s life and also to see from another person’s perspective. He shares, “The youth can change the world, if they try to know each other. If you want to know each other, you have to go to the place you’ve never been, talk to the people you’ve never talked to, and eat the food that you’ve never eaten.”
Forever the entrepreneurial spirit, when Lin isn’t busy guiding, he is developing a project to collect plastic and recycle it into bricks to be used for construction.
The idea came to him after watching local pagodas integrate straw to fortify the clay in the creation of bricks. He thought why not use plastic for the same purpose. He is in the process of creating this project and aspires to collect plastic gathered by people in his community by trading a prescribed amount for a t-shirt.
We’ll end with Lin’s words of wisdom: “Walk the way you’ve never walked. Don’t judge people, go the road the people go so you will see it. Go travel and learn. You can have fun and see what is there.” Lin believes that meeting new people and seeing the world through different points of view is the key to understanding and true happiness.
Lin's Film Recommendation: The Lady
Lin's Book Recommendation: Twilight over Burma: My Life as a Shan Princess
Lin's Favorite Myanmarese Food: Mohinga: rice noodle soup served with beans, egg, and banana stem. An essential part of Burmese cuisine that is eaten in the morning and evening.
To learn more about this inspiring human and his organization, please visit Lin’s website: Promised Land Myanmar.
PS. WANT DRAGONS BLOG UPDATES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX? ONE EMAIL A WEEK. NOTHING MARKETY. UNSUBSCRIBE ANY TIME. SUBSCRIBE TO DRAGONS BLOG AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY. ❤️
[post_title] => Local Heroes Series: Lin Theik, Myanmar
[post_excerpt] => Meet Linn Theik. Linn is a 2x year old tour guide, educator, and entrepreneur from Myanmar. The ninth of ten children, Linn has a contagious enthusiasm for travel, learning from differing perspectives, and environmental entrepreneurism. Linn is a hero on many fronts - from exposing local youth to a variety of cultures within the borders of his own country to finding creative solutions for reusing plastic.
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[post_date] => 2020-06-03 14:31:50
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[post_content] => Dear Dragons Community,
On Monday, May 25th—Memorial Day—George Floyd was murdered under the knee of a Minnesota police officer. In a country already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, Floyd’s death compounded the pain of another open wound: the wound of American racism, an infection that has festered for 400 years. It oozes hatred and rage and violence. It blinds so many to the full, sacred humanity of Blackness.
We write to you today to fight that infection. We know that Black Lives Matter. And in the words of instructor Caleb Brooks, “we know that George mattered, that he was imbued with the life force that every poet and theologian and artist and shaman has lived and died trying to translate into the broken languages by which we express our love and also our hate.”
We write to grieve with you, and to join hands with you against the systems that killed George Floyd.
We condemn the racist policies, white supremacy, and police brutality that killed George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and innumerable others. White people and white-run organizations must actively work against the legacies of white supremacy, racism, settler colonialism, patriarchy and structural inequality upon which this country was built and that pervade the lives of Black and Brown people in the US every day.
As an administrative team, we regret that it has taken us until now to make this statement publicly. We acknowledge that we benefit from these heinous legacies and have a responsibility to dismantle them. Our mission to build a just and equitable world requires sustained anti-racist action. We stand in solidarity with those demanding racial justice. We invite you, our community, to join us in the movement for sustainable transformation.
Today, Dragons donated to Black Lives Matter 5280, a small organization on the front lines of the protest in Denver, near our headquarters. You can find more organizations to which our staff are donating, and more ways to get educated and involved below.
The work of liberation is hard and at times may feel impossible. But, to echo James Baldwin, “in our time, as in every time, the impossible is the least that one can demand.”
In solidarity,
The Where There Be Dragons Administrative Team
RESOURCES TO GET EDUCATED AND INVOLVED
Thank you to Black-led activists who have created these resources, which we have pulled from various locations.
READ
We encourage you to purchase your books from black-owned and African American-focused bookstores. You can find a list here.
- ain’t i a woman by bell hooks
- Ally Resource Guide
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
- Black Lives Matter Syllabus
- Choke Hold by Paul Butler
- Divided Sisters by Midge Wilson and Kathy Russell
- Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
- Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
- How to be an Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- How We Get Free edited by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Me and White Supremacy: Combat White Supremacy, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad
- Native Son by Richard Wright
- POC Online Classroom
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- Stamped from the Beginning by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
- The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color by Cherríe Moraga
- What to do Instead of Calling the Police
- When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Kahn-Cullors & asha bandele
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- Who Do You Serve, Who Do You Protect edited by Joe Macaré, Maya Schenwar, and Alana Yu-lan Price
- Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis
LISTEN
- 1619 (New York Times)
- About Race
- Code Switch (NPR)
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Let's Talk About Whiteness by Eula Biss
- Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
- Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights)
- Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)
- Seeing White
WATCH
- 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
- American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix
- BlacKKKlansman (Spike Lee) — HBO
- Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent
- Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada) — HBO
- Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent
- Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
- Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent
- I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy
- If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
- Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to watch FREE for the month of June
- King In The Wilderness — HBO
- Rachel Cargle’s Address on the Revolution
- See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix
- Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent
- Systematic Racism Explained
- Tamika Mallory’s Speech on George Floyd Protests
- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent
- The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax
- When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
DONATE
- A Directory of Community Bail Funds - Find Your Local One
- Ahmaud Arbery Memorial Fund
- BIPOC Healthcare co-op
- Black Lives Matter
- Black Lives Matter 5280 Denver Chapter. (Find your local chapter)
- Black Visions Collective
- Campaign Zero
- George Floyd Memorial Fund
- Justice for Breonna Taylor
- Minnesota Freedom Fund
- Minnesota Healing Justice Network
- The Audre Lorde Project
- The Equal Justice initiative
- Reclaim the Block + Reclaim the Block’s suggested alternatives
- Support Black Owned Businesses in Your Area. There are many resources floating around locally on social media, we encourage you to seek them out on your channels.
GET INVOLVED
- #AmplifyMelanatedVoices when sharing content
- Click for a pre-made email draft to demand justice for Breonna Taylor
- Click for a pre-made email draft to demand justice for George Floyd
- Click for a pre-made email draft to demand justice for James Scurlock
- Click for a pre-made email draft to demand justice for Tony McDade
- CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO VOTE
- Get involved with your local government to end police brutality
- Join Local Black Lives Matter Chapters
- Join Local allyship organizations such as SURJ
SUPPORT/FOLLOW
- @aaron_philip
- @camreapher
- Color Of Change: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Equal Justice Initiative (EJI): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- @gabrielleglitters (an alum doing great activism work)
- @laylasaad | Website
- @munroebergdorf
- NAACP: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- National Lawyers Guild
- @rachelcargle | Website
- @sa.liine
- Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- The Conscious Kid: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- The Movement For Black Lives
- @unitedwedream | Website
MORE
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
- Ally Resources Guide
- An Antiracist Reading List by Ibram X. Kendi (New York Times)
- Anti-Racism Cheat Sheet
- Anti-Racism Project
- Jenna Arnold’s resources (books and people to follow)
- Rachel Ricketts’ anti-racism resources
- Resources for White People to Learn and Talk About Race and Racism
- Save the Tears: White Woman’s Guide by Tatiana Mac
- Showing Up For Racial Justice’s educational toolkits
- The [White] Shift on Instagram
- White Accomplices Steps to Get Involved
- “Why is this happening?” — an introduction to police brutality from 100 Year Hoodie
- Zinn Education Project’s teaching materials
PS. WANT DRAGONS BLOG UPDATES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX? ONE EMAIL A WEEK. NOTHING MARKETY. UNSUBSCRIBE ANY TIME. SUBSCRIBE TO DRAGONS BLOG AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY. ❤️
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Solidarity + Resources For Racial Justice
Posted On
06/03/20
Author
Dragons HQ
Description
We condemn the racist policies, white supremacy, and police brutality that killed George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and innumerable others. White people and white-run organizations must actively… Read MoreWP_Post Object
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[post_date] => 2020-05-28 12:03:20
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[post_content] => As the world battles the spread of COVID-19, many people, communities, and nonprofits are facing immense hardship. In response, the Dragons Fund, our nonprofit partner organization, created the Community Relief Fund to support communities that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 during this unprecedented pause of travel and tourism.
Loading...
Hover over the interactive map to view grant locations.
In just two months the Community Relief Fund has raised $15,000+ which has been distributed through small grants mostly aimed at providing food and essential supplies such as personal protective equipment to vulnerable households. Some examples of how these funds have been mobilized:
- Indonesia: A $525 grant in Yogyakarta provided essential meal kits to 39 families, provided 25 hazmat suits to public health workers, and built a public handwashing station
- India: A $1000 grant to Aajeevika Bureau, an Indian nonprofit working on the front lines of the migrant crisis
- Senegal: A $700 grant provided food supplies to vulnerable households in seven communities (Dene, Ndioukhane, Yoff, Mouit, Temanto Samba, Dindefelo, and Niodior) and a $500 grant to purchase personal protective equipment for medical workers
- Bolivia: Two grants totaling $1,300 to provide critical food supplies to households in El Alto, Tiquipaya, and Cochabamba
- Cambodia: A $500 grant to Women's Resource Center, a local organization providing emergency food, hygiene products, and medicine to those in need of support
- Nepal: A $500 grant provided essential food packages to 26 families in Panauti (rice, lentils, oil, sugar, tea, soap, beaten rice, fried lentils, soy nuggets, salt)
- Peru: A $500 grant to Sacred Valley Health, a local organization that supports and trains community health workers
Additional project proposals are underway.
Learn more about the Community Grant Fund!
PS. WANT DRAGONS BLOG UPDATES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX? ONE EMAIL A WEEK. NOTHING MARKETY. UNSUBSCRIBE ANY TIME. SUBSCRIBE TO DRAGONS BLOG AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY. ❤️
[post_title] => DRAGONS FUND COMMUNITY RELIEF FUND UPDATE
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DRAGONS FUND COMMUNITY RELIEF FUND UPDATE
Posted On
05/28/20
Author
Dragons HQ
Description
In just two months the Community Relief Fund has raised $15,000+ which has been distributed through small grants mostly aimed at providing food and essential supplies such as personal protective equipment to… Read MoreWP_Post Object
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Dragons was featured in a New York Times article discussing Gap Year ideas for college students who are considering alternative options during this time of uncertainty.
That’s the essence of the gap year mind-set: Teenagers who are ready for challenges can find ways to achieve their goals. And just as a traditional education is about preparing a young person for adult life, learning to be resilient in handling the challenges of an unpredictable gap year can build valuable life skills as well.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE ONLINE AT THE NEW YORK TIMES.
PS. WANT DRAGONS BLOG UPDATES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX? ONE EMAIL A WEEK. NOTHING MARKETY. UNSUBSCRIBE ANY TIME. SUBSCRIBE TO DRAGONS BLOG AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY. ❤️
[post_title] => DRAGONS FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES: GAP YEAR IDEAS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
[post_excerpt] => Dragons was featured in a New York Times article discussing Gap Year ideas for college students who are considering alternative options during this time of uncertainty.
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DRAGONS FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES: GAP YEAR IDEAS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Posted On
04/27/20
Author
Dragons HQ
Description
Dragons was featured in a New York Times article discussing Gap Year ideas for college students who are considering alternative options during this time of uncertainty. Read MoreWP_Post Object
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[post_date] => 2020-04-21 11:03:01
[post_date_gmt] => 2020-04-21 17:03:01
[post_content] => Last night I stepped out into the front yard and was met by a numinous presence. It was 9:30 pm, and our neighborhood, the nearby highway, and streets were bathed in silence. The languid moon slid in and out of clouds, leaving me awestruck at the texture, volume, and animate character of the sky.
An hour earlier, I sat with my seven-year-old as she broke down in tears of fear and sadness—not the typical bedtime tears of disappointment—her embodied response to the uncertainty and isolation she feels during these weeks without school or friends.
My evening’s juxtaposition between the heartache of loss, and my awe at the mystical power of the night sky is representative of our collective family experience. It is a roller coaster of ambiguity and uncertainty expressed by colleagues, friends, and the global community at large.
The familiar refrain echoes that we are in “uncharted territory;” there is a great deal of uncertainty as to how we will get through this, and what life will look like on the other side. As the depth of this portal is exposed, we’re coming to terms with the reality that we may not “get back to normal.” We are all together on a transformative journey that will leave us with a world different from what we have known.
[caption id="attachment_156687" align="aligncenter" width="566"]
Photo by Aaron Slosberg, Instructor.[/caption]
How do we navigate the COVID era?
Confronted with the uncertainty and ambiguity of our current social environment, the value of global experiential education pedagogy comes into focus. Represented by organizations such as the Independent School Experiential Education Network (ISEEN), and the Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG), global experiential programming exposes students to challenging and unfamiliar cultural environments that evoke a clarification of values and foster cultural competencies. Courses are often designed to be disorienting, bewildering, and to present uncertain circumstances. In short, it can look and feel very much like the situation we find ourselves in today.
Over the past ten years, Independent Schools have invested in global experiential education programs. The shift also marks an active investment in educator skill-sets, pushing the role of teachers to include mentoring and facilitating students. Teachers increasingly find themselves holding space as students navigate unfamiliar and challenging environments in a way that fosters growth and learning. The unique skills needed to guide such programs are the same that apply to the uncharted and emotionally charged future we are confronted with today. At this critical time, we are invited to lean into the discomfort, to work with students to question the norm, and empower them to write their own narratives of what our future will look like.
[caption id="attachment_155968" align="aligncenter" width="574"]
Photo by Arwyn Drew, Student.[/caption]
How will schools respond to this moment in time?
While we may not be able to offer group travel programs, now is the time to double-down on the practice of global experiential education, and recommit to this progressive shift. But based on check-ins with Independent School colleagues, the response to COVID-19 is mixed. Some report struggles in trying to keep with a rigorous academic schedule. Others have responded by reducing the focus on global education and laying off the Director of Global Education, while others are continuing to forge ahead, investing in capacity building, and feasible models for experiential education in the new era.
The unbounded vastness of this global pandemic is overwhelming. It can easily lead to tears and despair. Such an uncertain challenge triggers the fight or flight response. For schools, it may seem that the safest path forward is to revert to what we know best—content learning within the structures of traditional disciplines—or to impose outdated educational structures on a new and dynamic reality.
But there is another option: The option to give pause and to foster, in ourselves and our students, an openness to the awkward spaciousness before us. Paramount to the practice of global, experiential education, is creating space within our overbusy schedules to reflect on and honestly question current social and environmental realities around us. Indeed, perhaps the greatest, most revolutionary facet of experiential education is reflection; inviting students to evoke questions, clarify values, challenge beliefs, and hone opinions based on firsthand experience. The car has stopped;, we have the opportunity to get out, spread the map on the hood, and plot our course forward.
How do we rise up to this challenge?
Transformation is not without pain; the deconstruction of what was, is a necessary precondition to create space for what will be. A new education, without the defining markers of 45-minute periods, four walls, and students moving along the assembly line of content acquisition is possible! We have been presented with a crack in our social and educational systems in which we might plant a new seed. Moments of crisis can lead to rapid institutional transformation —otherwise impossible in normal times.
In this crisis, we are called upon to be guides and mentors, empowering students as they cautiously emerge from this crisis into a new world—one in which the ability to navigate uncharted terrain is paramount. The great skill of holding space, and leaning into the discomfort of new realities is now more important than ever. It is the mandate of global and experiential education to do so, allowing students to access their inner wisdom and write their own narrative of this historical moment.
And we can expect that the ambiguity found in this “uncharted territory” will be the new norm, whether it results from another global health pandemic, the impacts of climate change, or the need to negotiate limited resources amongst an expanding global population.
Right now, we are being asked to embrace the spacious clearing this great storm has left in our lives—not to get back to an over-busy schedule as soon as possible. We should leverage the practice of global experiential education to guide students, and ourselves, through this transformative journey by slowing down, building relationships, and looking inward. If we do, we may learn to listen to the numinous wisdom of the night sky, or more importantly, clarify values from our own tears and emotions. We may find, as an educational community, that there are many things here in this spacious clearing we can take with us as we move forward.
[caption id="attachment_156686" align="aligncenter" width="570"]
Photo by Nina Redpath, Student.[/caption]
P.S. WANT DRAGONS BLOG UPDATES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX? ONE EMAIL A WEEK. NOTHING MARKETY. UNSUBSCRIBE ANY TIME. SUBSCRIBE TO DRAGONS BLOG AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY. ❤️
[post_title] => INTO THE UNKNOWN: WHY GLOBAL, EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION IS NOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
[post_excerpt] => In this crisis, we are called upon to be guides and mentors, empowering students as they cautiously emerge from this crisis into a new world—one in which the ability to navigate uncharted terrain is paramount. The great skill of holding space, and leaning into the discomfort of new realities is now more important than ever. It is the mandate of global and experiential education to do so, allowing students to access their inner wisdom and write their own narrative of this historical moment.
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INTO THE UNKNOWN: WHY GLOBAL, EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION IS NOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
Posted On
04/21/20
Author
Simon Hart, Director of School Partnerships
Description
In this crisis, we are called upon to be guides and mentors, empowering students as they cautiously emerge from this crisis into a new world—one in which the ability to… Read MoreWP_Post Object
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[post_content] => Planning any kind of travel means asking yourself a laundry list of questions: Where should I go? What should I do? What do I pack? More recently, articles identifying air travel as a major emitter of greenhouse gasses have demanded climate-aware travelers ask themselves: How can I travel if I care about the Earth?
Experienced travelers at Dragons have wondered the same and are always looking for new ways to reduce our impact. We want to add to the conversation by sharing what we have learned from our years in the field. We also want to hear from you about the ways that you are choosing to be conscientious in your daily life!
For us, it all starts with taking stock of our environmental impact. Simply existing on planet Earth begets a carbon footprint. However, the decisions you make in your everyday life can help control how big or small that footprint is. Our advice? Start small. Break down your travel choices one-by-one and find simple, actionable, and measurable changes that can help reduce your footprint—especially while traveling.
1. Reduce
Have you ever tried to keep track of how much waste you produce every day? Many products designed to be convenient are used once or twice and then sent straight to the landfill. Yet much of the time, it’s relatively easy to choose a less wasteful option. For example, you can:
- Carry a reusable travel mug for your morning coffee
- Use a steel instead of plastic straw
- Carry a packable reusable bag in your backpack or purse for all your shopping needs
2. Buy Better
From the many apps available for buying used goods to brick and mortar second-hand shops, there are numerous ways to shop for used gear. Choosing a locally-oriented app or used store as opposed to websites like Amazon eliminates carbon emissions associated with shipping and transportation. Research reusable travel products and then look for a used version that is still in good condition. Want to use top-quality gear but don’t need it to be new? Environmentally conscious companies like REI and Patagonia have designated used-gear sections. Want to go even further? Rent or borrow from a friend or family member! Host a gear swap and encourage your community to dig out their unused gear to help support your mission. Gear You Find Used/Borrowed:- Backpack
- Down Jacket
- Warm Layers
- Camping Stove
- Sleeping Bag
- Camping Gear
- Refillable Water Bottle
- Steel Straw
- Reusable Shopping Bag
- Bamboo Toothbrush
- Reusable Shampoo and Conditioner Containers
- Toothpaste Tablets
- Reusable to-go container
- Reusable Spork/Utensils
- Handkerchief
- Rechargeable/solar batteries
- Reusable silicone bags instead of zip locks
- Opt for bulk or homemade snacks to avoid excess packaging
- Opt for digital copies of documents whenever possible
- Politely say no to unnecessary promotional items and explain why (organizations will stop sending them if they hear the message from their clients!)
- If ordering any food “to go,” try offering to bring your own reusable containers for food transport.
- Kindly decline single-use plastics on airplanes by asking for the drink in a can with no cup, or using your own coffee/tea mug.
- Remember, every time you politely decline single-use plastics (bags, straws, cups, etc.) you send a gentle message to the establishment about how they can make their clients happier.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen in oceans.
- Don't purchase souvenirs that steal from nature (shells, ivory, etc.).
- Be mindful of your environment if you choose to use chemical bug repellants.
- Vote with your dollar.
- Do research on the companies that you choose to support; from the products you use to the places you shop or the airline you fly.
- Choose to buy from companies whose values align with the environment and social justice.
- Support B Corp certified businesses and join the global movement of people using business as a force for good.
- If air travel is your only option for travel to your destination, choose an airline that already offsets their emissions. Fly economy so that more seats are taken up on your flight. Fly direct whenever possible to eliminate unnecessary emissions.
3. Go Slow
Join the slow travel movement.- On your way: Use public transportation. Travel by boat, bike, bus, train, rather than airplane.
- When you get there: Stay for longer, shop local, sit down to eat instead of taking food to-go, stay in locally owned accommodation
- When you get home: Apply the minimal-waste mindset to your daily life. Inspire your community to do the same. Share your reflections and decisions with others.
- Offset your carbon footprint: Carbon offsetting is the act of reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions to compensate for emissions that were produced elsewhere. For example, you can offset your flights by donating to an environmental project.
- See what Dragons is doing to offset our emissions.
On my Dragons program, we talked a lot about using our money thoughtfully and buying products that we knew were being produced in fair conditions where the people who were involved in making them directly benefited from the sale of their work. Now that I am at home, I think about where my clothing was made, and whether the people involved in making it were treated and paid fairly. I think about where my food comes from, and whether it makes sense environmentally to buy produce grown in another country —Lindsay Eiseman, Student.
PS. WANT DRAGONS BLOG UPDATES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX? ONE EMAIL A WEEK. NOTHING MARKETY. UNSUBSCRIBE ANY TIME. SUBSCRIBE TO DRAGONS BLOG AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY. ❤️
[post_title] => Three Ways to Make Your Travels More Sustainable [post_excerpt] => How can I travel if I care about the Earth? Experienced travelers at Dragons have wondered the same and are always looking for new ways to reduce our impact. We want to add to the conversation by sharing what we have learned from our years in the field. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => three-ways-to-make-your-gap-year-more-sustainable [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-03-11 10:07:49 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-03-11 16:07:49 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.wheretherebedragons.com/news/ [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw [categories] => Array ( [0] => WP_Term Object ( [term_id] => 697 [name] => Dragons Travel Guide [slug] => dragons-travel-guide [term_group] => 0 [term_taxonomy_id] => 697 [taxonomy] => category [description] => [parent] => 0 [count] => 25 [filter] => raw [term_order] => 2 [cat_ID] => 697 [category_count] => 25 [category_description] => [cat_name] => Dragons Travel Guide [category_nicename] => dragons-travel-guide [category_parent] => 0 [link] => https://www.wheretherebedragons.com/news/category/dragons-travel-guide/ ) [1] => WP_Term Object ( [term_id] => 670 [name] => Recommended [slug] => recommended [term_group] => 0 [term_taxonomy_id] => 670 [taxonomy] => category [description] => Recommended reading, watching and listening. [parent] => 0 [count] => 18 [filter] => raw [term_order] => 11 [cat_ID] => 670 [category_count] => 18 [category_description] => Recommended reading, watching and listening. [cat_name] => Recommended [category_nicename] => recommended [category_parent] => 0 [link] => https://www.wheretherebedragons.com/news/category/recommended/ ) ) [category_links] => Dragons Travel Guide, Recommended )
Three Ways to Make Your Travels More Sustainable
Posted On
02/27/20
Author
Dragons HQ
