Reducing carbon footprints in hobbies

[Larky]

Surfing and the environment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a post that I put on a surfers forum, I didn't think the question was that preachy but got alot of hostle feedback I've included one of the responses too. I wanted to put it to a forum of "greenerpeople" to see you thoughts on the subject. Please be nice to me I'm new and don't want to get anybodys backs up. Post any of your thoughts please!



----------------------------------------------------------------------

I have changed my thinking on travel sticking to my local breaks around Brighton. I think as surfers we sould lead the way on reducing our carbon footprints on our uk travel and overseas travel?

However this has not always been that easy hostle bus drivers and other old people giving me grief about my 6.1" board obstructing their view of the downs nice old folk? larky
Sponger

Report this postReply with quote Re: Surfing and the environment
by Phil » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:13 pm

what a great idea, why didnt i think of that from now on im just going to surf the south coast and not bother driving to the north coast when its fireing, i mean what would that save in carbon 0.05g? no more traveling for me i think im going to single handedly save the planet!!!!!!!!

[gludeman]

I think this idea is relevant to about any outdoors hobby or activity. Think of all the people that drive hours to get to a campground where they can enjoy "nature". Or people who transport motorcycles and ATV out somewhere and then spend hours burning up gas to drive in circle in the dirt. For that matter, think of those that take a plane to Denver and then drive out to Aspen to spend a day skiing.

With surfing, obviously if a beach doesn't currently have any good waves, the surfers are going to go to where they can find them.

Many of the hobbies and activities people do certainly leave big carbon footprints, but how do you convince people to stop having fun? Fact is, we can't.

What we need to do is to encourage 1) alternative hobbies that are more green but still fun, or 2) find ways of doing current hobbies more efficiently. If a group of surfers pooled together to rent a tour bus to take them to the waves, that would be better than an entire caravan of separate cars right?

[miracle]

I love surfing but unfortunately the production of surfboards isn't the most eco-friendly. Been looking into green boards but apparently they just don't ride the same.