BY: NADIA ZAIDI
Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful and whimsical places in the world. But it goes beyond windmills and red lights. It’s one of the most ecologically friendly places to live — and visit.
Supporting local farmers and organic food
It’s almost unheard of to find an eatery that does not have locally-produced vegetables and fresh produce on the menu. If you’re looking for major fast food chains, it’s probably not the place for you. The people of Amsterdam celebrate its locally-harvested food because they believe that food is a reflection of culture and ethics.
There are tons of shops that carry biological produce to support ecological farmers province-wide.
Cycling and walking
Most citizens in Amsterdam use their bicycles as the preferred mode of transportation because of its convenience. And if they don’t own a bike, there are bike rentals all over the city to encourage cycling.
It’s also not a coincidence that Amsterdam features its preferred “hotspots,” all within walking distance of each other. Canals guide individuals to shortcuts, and it doesn’t hurt that Medieval parts of Amsterdam are awe-inspiring either – another incentive to walk or bike.
Pedal boating is another way that Amsterdam encourages an ecological means of transportation. It’s also one of the most feasible, as it has over 100 kilometres of canals, and over 1,500 bridges.
If you’re a bit less adventurous, metro trains can shuttle you throughout the city. They produce a lower carbon footprint than taxi cabs or cars.
Fashion-forward Amsterdam
When you think of the biggest contributors of pollution, it’s not too often that you think of fashion as an offender. In a way, it might feel like you’re pointing a finger at yourself. Truthfully, the use of pesticides and large amounts of water waste and toxic dyes that eventually flow into rivers greatly contribute to the global carbon footprint.
The cotton industry alone uses three per cent of global water waste. That’s huge! It takes around 2.495 litres of water to manufacture a t-shirt.
This is why Amsterdam is committed to creating clothing from eco-friendly materials. They work with various organizations and companies to deliver strategies on sustainable fashion.
Amsterdam is at the front line of initiative, collaboration, and sustainability. For instance, the Dutch Fashion Action Plan is a partnership between the Dutch government and the fashion industry that offers consultation with fashion brands. This means that fashion houses are held in greater transparency if they go against the strategies sought out in the coalition.
There is also Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week, which points consumers to different cities in the Netherlands that carry ethical fashion outlets.
Overall move to become greener
Perhaps the biggest thing to admire about Amsterdam is that it is continuously at the forefront of initiatives and strategies towards producing a greener future. Sustainability and conscious decision-making are ingrained in their way of life and in their tourism. Tour guides and workers in restaurants and shops will frequently encourage visitors to be more conscientious by using greener options.
