Sailing is the original eco friendly activity!
We at Bay Lights Charters care about the environment and are taking steps to be single use plastic free by the end of 2023! We are inspired to do our part! Come sail with us and see the ways in which we are promoting FUN as well as responsibility!
Sailing can be considered eco-friendly for several reasons:
No emissions: Sailing boats rely on wind power to move, which means they do not emit any greenhouse gases or pollutants into the environment. This makes sailing a much cleaner and more sustainable form of transportation compared to motorized boats, which require fuel and emit harmful pollutants.
Low impact on marine life: While sailboats do have propellers, which means they can create a disturbance to marine life engines are typically only used to get on and off the docks so the impact is much smaller when compared to motorized boats do. This is important because marine life is already under threat from pollution and climate change, so reducing human impact is critical to protecting the health of the oceans.
No noise pollution: Sailing boats are much quieter than motorized boats, which means they do not disrupt the natural soundscape of the ocean and bay. This is important for the wellbeing of marine life, as many species rely on sound to communicate and navigate.
Reduced consumption: Sailing encourages a simpler way of life, where you have to be mindful of your resources and consumption. For example, sailors often use solar panels, wind turbines, or hydrogenerators to generate electricity, and they rely on manual pumps to bring in water from the sea. This leads to a lower environmental impact and can help promote sustainable living.
Overall, sailing can be a sustainable and eco-friendly way to enjoy the beauty of the ocean while minimizing your impact on the environment.
Reasons to be mindful of your footprint in all you do:
In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the impact that humans have on the environment. As a result, more people are becoming mindful of their footprint - the amount of resources they use, waste they generate, and impact they have on the planet. In this essay, we will explore the reasons why it is important to be mindful of your footprint.
Environmental sustainability
One of the main reasons why it is important to be mindful of your footprint is because of the need for environmental sustainability. The planet is facing a range of environmental issues, from climate change to biodiversity loss, and these problems are largely caused by human activities. By being mindful of your footprint, you can reduce your impact on the environment and help to promote sustainability.
This can involve a range of actions, such as reducing your energy consumption, minimizing your waste, using public transport or walking instead of driving, and choosing eco-friendly products like sailing adventures for your fun. By taking these steps, you can help to reduce your carbon footprint, which is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by your activities. By reducing your carbon footprint, you can help to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect the planet for future generations.
Resource conservation
Another reason why it is important to be mindful of your footprint is because of the need for resource conservation. Many of the resources that we rely on, such as fossil fuels, water, and timber, are finite and non-renewable. This means that if we continue to use them at our current rate, we will eventually run out.
By being mindful of your footprint, you can help to conserve these resources and reduce your impact on the planet. For example, you can reduce your energy consumption by turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, or by using energy-efficient bulbs and appliances. You can also conserve water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using a water-efficient showerhead.
In addition, you can reduce your consumption of products that are made from non-renewable resources, such as plastic or paper. By choosing eco-friendly products, such as reusable bags or cloth napkins, you can help to reduce your impact on the environment and promote resource conservation.
Health and wellbeing
Being mindful of your footprint can also have benefits for your own health and wellbeing. For example, by choosing to walk or cycle instead of driving, you can get exercise and fresh air, which can improve your physical and mental health. Similarly, by eating a plant-based diet or reducing your consumption of meat and dairy, you can improve your health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
In addition, by reducing your exposure to chemicals and pollutants, you can improve your health and wellbeing. Many household products, such as cleaning sprays and air fresheners, contain harmful chemicals that can affect your respiratory system and cause other health problems. By choosing eco-friendly products, you can reduce your exposure to these chemicals and promote a healthier living environment.
Social responsibility
Being mindful of your footprint can also be seen as a form of social responsibility. As members of society, we have a responsibility to care for the planet and to ensure that it is healthy and sustainable for future generations. By being mindful of your footprint, you can contribute to this effort and set an example for others to follow.
For example, by choosing to use public transport instead of driving, you can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, which can benefit the wider community. Similarly, by reducing your waste and recycling as much as possible, you can help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.
Click here to see 30 ways you can take action
Conclusion
In conclusion, being mindful of your footprint is important for a range of reasons. It can help to promote environmental sustainability, conserve resources, improve health and wellbeing, and demonstrate social responsibility. By
An interesting read on this topic:
AUTHOR Brittany Vargas
As the popularity of fast food options and meal delivery services has grown in recent years, the number of single-use plastics that accompany orders has also increased. To help the restaurant industry cut down on plastic use and disposable packaging moving forward, Beyond Plastics has created a free, detailed guide for businesses to successfully implement positive changes — while continuing to serve up tasty meals to customers.
The organization released the easy-to-follow, 47-page manual, titled “Hold the Plastic, Please: A Restaurant’s Guide to Reducing Plastic,” last month. Brimming with helpful tips, examples, and resources for restaurant owners who are looking to cut down on plastic use, it includes a plan to effectively implement reusables for to-go orders.
The guide states that 44% of plastic waste in the ocean consists of takeout food and drink containers, and consumers are eager for businesses to take action to prevent more waste from littering the environment. This gives restaurants an added incentive to make long-needed changes that may have previously felt overwhelming.
“Industry research has found that the use of plastic makes consumers feel guilty, frustrated, and annoyed — precisely the opposite of what restaurant owners want their customers to experience. The majority of people surveyed also shared that they feel restaurants must do more to address the plastics problem directly,” Megan Wolff, Ph.D., MPH, Beyond Plastics policy director and lead author of the guide, said in a press release.
The guide includes case studies and statistics, and provides a multi-step process for reducing waste: perform a plastic audit, involve staff, notify customers, and finally make the switch to reusable dishware and takeout containers.
“Reusables are the gold standard for reducing litter, fighting plastic pollution, and combating climate change,” the guide states. While it does acknowledge that “the upfront costs are higher, the payback period for switching to durable goods can be as short as a few months, and over their lifetimes reusables use less energy and water than single-use containers, even after dishwashing. They also result in lower greenhouse gas emissions.” Additionally, many resusables are recyclable and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
To make the switch to reusable takeout containers, it’s suggested that restaurateurs partner with third-party services that operate much like linen services: supplying, collecting, cleaning, and redistributing the reusables.
The guide also highlights the importance of restaurants telling the world that they have taken “steps to reduce plastic and safeguard the environment,” adding that “now is your time to shine, so don’t be shy about showing off your credentials as a green business.”
With the United States generating more plastic waste than any other country on Earth, and the industry largely contributing to the growing climate crisis, it’s vital that action is taken to protect our planet.
“Already, many eateries are choosing to either become plastic free, reduce their use of plastic, or eliminate single-use disposable items. In doing so, these restaurants have demonstrated that they can decrease costs, grow their clientele, increase revenue, and make a real and vital contribution to the health of the environment,” the press release reads. “Their actions send an important message to consumers: the future is not in plastics.”