With recreational boating expected to continue to grow in the following years, more and more people are hitting the sea, rivers, and lakes for pleasure every year. Yet, human activities on the water come with a price: the environmental impact of boating is massive, with boaters contributing significantly to water pollution. As governments continue to create awareness to address recreational boating issues, keeping waterways, lakes, and rivers healthy implies adopting a new mindset — this is where sustainable boating comes into play.
What's Green Boating?
Green boating (often referred to as "clean boating" or "sustainable boating") is a lifestyle that implies taking proper care of boats so that they have the least amount of impact possible on the water and the environment. By becoming part of the solution, boaters take responsibility for the consequences of recreational boating on the environment, minimising their impact so that boating and nature can coexist harmoniously now and in future generations.
How the Boating Industry Is Curbing its Carbon Footprint
Scientists are unanimous. Human activities, especially the production and burning of fossil fuels, have increased greenhouse gas emissions to such an extent that the Earth's climate is rising at unseen rates. Extreme climate events, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, soil erosion, and the pollution of surface waters and groundwater all pose a risk to our health.
Boat brands are becoming more aware that climate change threatens much more than the environment alone. Over the last two decades, the industry has been able to reduce its gas emissions and carbon footprint by implementing more sustainable manufacturing processes and developing cleaner products and technologies. Zero emissions propulsion, renewable energy sources, solar or photovoltaic panels, thinner batteries, and the development of an electric infrastructure are just a few examples.
