Your global adventures can get even more exciting if you celebrate the planet while you travel. There are many sustainable landmarks to experience if you’re planning an upcoming trip. Visit a few to see how people are giving back to the earth by combining creativity and science.
1. Jewel at Changi
Indoor plants absorb carbon dioxide by performing photosynthesis to make food, so they’re useful in combating global warming. Maintaining a garden in an airport, where machinery and nearby planes are creating CO2 waste every day, is an effective way to battle the emissions. The Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore sets a high standard for urban gardens. The sheltered greenery includes the world’s tallest indoor waterfall to maintain humidity levels and a hedge maze for people waiting for their planes.
2. Vena Cava
If you’re hoping to visit Mexico this year, plan a trip to one of its sustainable landmarks. Vena Cava is an organic wine club made with recycled materials from boats, buildings and other unwanted structures. The repurposed walls lend an eclectic vibe to the winery’s tastings and classes. People often leave inspired by the construction because it reminds the public that existing materials can always transform into something new.
3. The Eden Project
Stop by Cornwall in the United Kingdom to see the Eden Project for yourself. The massive education center bubbles from the rolling landscape, so it’s nearly impossible to miss. Explore its gardens, zip lines and the world’s biggest indoor rainforest housed within its walls.
People also admire the building for its unique design and purposeful placement. The plants thrive inside each dome because its thoughtful location keeps indoor temperatures cool, reducing the building’s energy usage while maintaining the biome necessary for a rainforest to thrive.
4. Azurmendi
Foodies in Spain love visiting Azurmendi for a three-Michelin-star meal in a sustainable structure. The restaurant is an atrium powered by geothermal and solar energy. Visitors get to dine in an upscale greenhouse biome while savoring food inspired by the planet. Foodies will love the getaway, but it’s also a perfect experience if you want to dine in a place that redefines what a restaurant can be.
5. The Climate Museum
When people decided to build the Climate Museum in New York City, they wanted to host ecological exhibits within a structure that didn’t harm the planet. Today, the museum is one of the greenest in the world. Visit it to learn more about global warming from international artists and scientists. To make your trip even greener — and avoid congestion pricing — plan to take public transportation to and from the museum.
6. Ocean Atlas
Environmental activists in the Bahamas want to turn coral reefs back into sustainable landmarks. The Ocean Atlas is an example of how people can do that while seawater is still warming.
A single sculptor created a massive underwater sculpture of Atlas from Greek mythology. The multistory titan doubles as a coral reef because it features eco-friendly materials and sheltered areas for marine life. If you love what you see, the artist made a few other underwater sculptures that took up residence around the globe. Explore all of them with your snorkeling gear to get more time in the ocean while celebrating sustainable creations.
7. Beitou Public Library
Taiwan has many inventive buildings, but few compete with the sustainability behind the Beitou Public Library. International students who remember to bring essentials like travel documents can study in the two-story building that features self-sustaining architecture. The property’s solar panels and rainwater collection capabilities earned it global fame and a few eco-friendly awards.
8. Museum of Tomorrow
Brazil also has many green landmarks, especially if you visit Rio de Janeiro. The Museum of Tomorrow showcases exhibits on everything related to global warming, such as food insecurity and evolving viruses. The architecture relied on sustainable design practices like using natural lighting and solar panels that shift angles throughout the day to capture sunshine more effectively. If you take breaks to rest your mind during your drive into the city, you’ll have plenty of energy to see the entire museum.
Explore the Most Popular Sustainable Landmarks
Planning a vacation around your passion for the planet shouldn’t feel difficult. Visit any of the numerous sustainable landmarks around the globe to learn more about the earth while adventuring. You’ll have an incredible experience, discover new things and learn about ways to protect the ecosystem while humanity fights climate change.
Jack Shaw is the senior writer for Modded, a men’s lifestyle publication. An avid outdoorsman and lover of travel, he’ll often find himself taking retreats out into nature to explore the world and encourage others to do the same. Feel free to connect with him via LinkedIn.