Hopper celebrates planting over 30 million mangroves on World Mangrove Day!

This July 26th we are joining the worldwide celebration of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem! 

Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature made headlines with a groundbreaking report—the first-ever global assessment of mangrove ecosystems. The comprehensive study revealed that over 50% of all mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse by 2050. This is especially concerning given the vital role mangroves play for coastal ecosystems: 

• Mangroves absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide, making them highly effective carbon sinks as they sequester carbon deep into the earth via their root systems. 

• Mangroves act as nature's shield, reducing the impact of storms and waves. Their dense root systems create a natural barrier against erosion. Healthy mangrove forests protect coastlines from storm surges during extreme weather, protecting coastal villages from devastation from flooding, cyclones, typhoons and other inclement weather. 

• Mangrove estuaries provide a haven for a diverse array of marine life as they are essential nurseries and feeding grounds for countless species.

• Mangroves offer socio-economic benefits. They provide livelihoods for local communities, offering opportunities for sustainable fishing, ecotourism, and traditional practices.

Hopper believes we all have a role to play when it comes to taking meaningful action for our planet. This International Mangrove Day, we are proud to celebrate the steps we’ve taken to support mangrove reforestation through our Hopper Trees program. Since the launch of Hopper Trees in 2020, we have planted over 30 million mangrove trees on behalf of our customers!  Through our efforts we have contributed to reforestation efforts worldwide, in partnership with planting sites in Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar and Indonesia. 

Our Planting Partner

In 2023, we partnered with Veritree to drive verifiable restorative action. Through this partnership we are planting real, verified trees that support communities, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Through the Veritree platform, we’re able to monitor as trees are planted and see the impact they are making on their respective communities and ecosystems. Our partners at Veritree are working with NGOs around the world to bring innovative solutions to mangrove reforestation, see more here. 

We are dedicated to embedding sustainable decisions into every booking made on the app. Guided by the EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership Emission Factors report, for every flight, hotel, rental car or rental home booking made on Hopper, we automatically plant trees on behalf of our customers in an effort to help offset CO₂ emissions – without any cost to our users.

To learn more about the Hopper Trees program, visit https://www.hopper.com/trees. 

How can you travel more sustainably?

Simple tips on how to lower your impact while traveling all year round. 

• Fly direct! Booking a non-stop flight to summer destinations can save both time and lower the environmental impact of your air travel!

• Stay local! Hotels and vacation rentals often offer lower rates to locals, than to business travelers or those visiting from out of town. Make your next trip a staycation to reduce the environmental impact.

• Carpool! Consider skipping lines at security and opting for a scenic road trip to your destination. Carpooling with friends and family can lower the impact of your individual travel and lead to amazing summer adventures.

• Book with Hopper! For every booking made in the app, we’ll plant 2 trees for any flight, hotel, rental car or rental home purchase.

Plan ahead for sustainable alternatives:

• Bring a refillable water bottle or coffee mug: Stay hydrated on your trip and reduce single use plastics!

• Take the bus: Travel to and from the airport using good old public transit, instead of a car or taxi.

• Pack sustainably: Bring your own soaps and lotions so you won’t need to use the single use bottles offered at hotels. You reduce your single use plastics, and get to use your own favorite products!

• Be a local: Look out for restaurants offering locally sourced food and buy products from small businesses.