Summer is a time of sunshine, travel, and outdoor fun – so let’s make sure we are protecting our planet and the natural areas we love while enjoying the season! Practicing the sustainable actions below can help decrease your impact on the Earth while still fully embracing all summer has to offer:
Travel Tips
Consider taking trips to destinations closer to home. This will not only decrease your travel costs, but significantly lower emissions. Road trips, traveling by train, or exploring local attractions can reduce your carbon footprint while still offering family fun and unique experiences. Here in Hampton Roads, we are lucky to be surrounded by cultural, historical, and educational experiences across the seven cities – venture out into your local area and discover something new. If your summer plans do include flying, choose direct flights or offset your carbon emissions through reputable programs.
Reach for Reusables
Summer picnics, BBQs, festivals, and fairs can mean more disposable cups, plates, straws, and utensils entering the landfill. Make it a habit to switch to reusable water bottles, utensils, and containers. Try to keep a set of reusable items in your bag or car so you’re always prepared. Always packing snacks for a day out at the beach or park? Invest in a set of reusable snack bags and purchase full-size snacks to be portioned out for the day to minimize waste from single-use packaging.
Keep it Cool
As the days get warmer, air conditioning use increases. To keep yourself and your home cool in a more sustainable way, use fans to circulate air, close blinds to keep the sun out during the day, and open windows if it is a cool night. Adding a heat-control window film can also reduce the indoor temperature. Setting your AC a few degrees higher while you are out and using a programmable thermostat to optimize energy use can help maintain comfort while lowering your impact on the environment.
Mindful Meals
Many neighborhoods have farmers’ markets or other places to purchase fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables with a lower carbon footprint than imported produce. Eating local supports your communities, reduces transportation emissions, and can often mean less packaging waste. Want to take it a step further? Look for a few new meat-free recipes. Try incorporating more plant-based dishes and snacks into your weekly meals like veggie skewers or black bean burgers. Reducing meat consumption lowers greenhouse gas emissions and conserves water.
Wait to Water
Water usage typically spikes in the summer with gardening, lawn care, and outdoor activities. Watering your garden in the early morning or evening reduces evaporation ensuring the water you use is actually taken in by your plants. You can also try using a rain barrel to collect water for another great way to improve your water consumption. Opting for native plants can also lower water use as they are suited to your area’s weather patterns and tend to be more drought-tolerant than non-native plants.
Small Steps make these Sustainable Summer Tips Easy
Begin with one or two small practices and then add more once they become a habit. Slow and steady progress will have a bigger environmental impact than one-time actions. Sustainability isn’t about perfection – it’s about consistent choices over time. Be sure to share your eco-friendly habits with your family, friends, and neighbors and encourage them to adopt their own. Starting even a few practical and impactful changes can reduce your environmental footprint and set a positive example.
Looking for more ways to make a difference?
Whether you’re inspired to join a conservation initiative, become a Green Teen, or simply continue learning about how to live in harmony with nature, there’s a place for you at the Virginia Living Museum. Explore volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and hands-on ways to get involved—and turn your passion for the planet into lasting impact.
Written by Deanna Orr, our Conservation and Ambassador Animal Manager.
