The sails towards climate neutrality have been set
Sudden storms, rises in temperature, changing currents: sailors and sailors feel climate change first hand. They travel low-emissions and often particularly environmentally conscious when traveling. But also apart from their individual behavior they can make an important contribution to greater sustainability.
Over long distances they use the wind alone to move forward: they are sailors
low-emission and therefore environmentally friendly compared to other travelers. Just every now and then an auxiliary engine is used – for example when there is an unexpected calm or a port is passed through. Sailing ships use little energy and therefore produce hardly any harmful emissions
free. The carbon footprint of sailing is significantly lower than many other types of travel.
But sailing is not climate neutral either, at least not yet: for the production and maintenance of Sailing ships require materials – metals such as steel and aluminum, for example, but also Wood and plastics. The infrastructure surrounding sailing also uses resources, from construction and Operation of port facilities through to the organization of sailing trips and regattas. Last but not least, it exists.
There is a risk that plastic waste will end up in the water when sailing – and the habitat of animals and plants harms.
Nevertheless: Here you can find out what role sailors play now and in the future to travel more sustainably.
Closeness to nature as an opportunity
Many sailors in particular are always fascinated by the beauty of the seas – and
This closeness to nature is a great opportunity: your closeness and love for nature, your enthusiasm for it Oceans, often makes them act particularly environmentally conscious. Many are of their own accord or through
Educational campaigns raise awareness about protecting the oceans.
They know that they can contribute to climate and environmental protection through their own behavior – to for example, by saving water, avoiding waste and disposing of it correctly, including your boat care for it using environmentally friendly means and extend its lifespan through careful maintenance. Also Environmentally conscious sailors make sure that they anchor as little as possible and, if possible, in an environmentally friendly way on sandy soil so as not to damage underwater plants.
In addition, sailors often understand the effects of climate change particularly well, because they – in the truest sense of the word – are constantly heading for new horizons and understanding global connections.
Sustainability: THIS IS WHAT “CLIPPER ROUND THE WORLD RACE” SAYS
Sailing associations and competition organizers have also long been on course towards climate neutrality set.
This is how the organizer of the “Clipper Round The World Race” explains it
Company Clipper Ventures, on its homepage, strives to serve the world with a minimal footprint to travel. “The Clipper Race naturally sees first-hand the harmful ones.
“The impact the modern world has on the world’s oceans and their marine life,” it says. “Clipper” wants “contribute to improving the health of our planet and towards a sustainable future invest.”
In concrete terms, this means: “Clipper” says that when building its yachts, they ensure that the Materials can be reused or recycled at the end of their life. The use of Single-use plastics should be reduced. Also, only use environmentally friendly cleaning products be used. In addition to these steps, “Clipper” wants technological advances and changes, that play a role in the industry, “anticipate and react to it” in order to continue to do so in the future to be able to ensure the relevance of its sustainability goals.
Ambassador for more sustainability
There are other national and international initiatives in sailing that are committed to protecting the oceans and use sailing that is as environmentally friendly as possible. For example, the German Sailing Association is calling
(DSV) in collaboration with other water sports and nature conservation associations to avoid waste in and around bodies of water. They encourage sailors to do so at:
www.gewaesserretter.de
Report contamination and plan cleaning operations.
The “10 Golden Rules for the behavior of water sports enthusiasts in nature” have been in existence since 1980.
In addition, the DSV developed the “10 Green Rules for Regatta Organizers”, which as far as possible to ensure the sustainable conduct of regattas.
https://www.dsv.org/app/uploads/10-goldene-r-28-juni18-rz.pdf
https://www.dsv.org/app/uploads/10-Gruene-Regeln_2023-03_vorder-rueckseite_einzeln_WEB-1.pdf
The German Sailing Bundesliga has also joined a sustainability campaign. You involved took part in the “Clear to Change” initiative, which was launched by the sailing world champion and Olympic participant Kathrin Adlkofer was brought into being. An international network for the protection of the oceans for example the “Sailors of the Sea”, which was founded by two sailors in 2004.
Many sailing associations see themselves as ambassadors for more sustainability. Often positive Image of sailing – many people associate sailing with a feeling of freedom the associations want to use their spirit of adventure and team spirit to fight climate change.
Opportunities for climate research
In recent years, sailors in particular have contributed to the positive image of sailing in Germany.
Boris Herrmann, who also brought climate activist Greta Thunberg to the UN climate summit with low emissions, contributed.
He has attracted sailing fans and other adventure seekers through his spectacular participation The Vendée Globe regatta – including a boat collision and dramatic final sprint – kept everyone in suspense.
But not only that. What many people don’t know: Scientists also followed the regatta with great interest Tension.
Because: On board his yacht “Seaexplorer” Boris Herrmann had a measuring device that recorded data on CO2 Content, temperature and salinity of the water were recorded. After the Vendée Globe, these data went to climate researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Kiel and the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg.
The regattas, which have been criticized on the one hand because of the use of a lot of resources, are also a great opportunity for climate research: the sailing ships, which are often driven by little traffic Bodies of water can provide large amounts of data, as in the case of the “Seaexplorer”.
Compass into the future
Sailing trips are low in emissions compared to other types of travel. But, like the initiatives and the efforts of individual sailors show, the sport is also groundbreaking, for example when using innovative technologies.
So alternative options can be found on sailing ships Energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines and hydroelectric generators are used.
The engineer Correntin de Chatelperron, who was building his sailing catamaran, took care of the appearance Glass fibers replaced by natural fibers. With his “Nomad des Mers” he set sail to everywhere to collect more inventions around the world that promote sustainable living.
Examples like these show that sailors make a significant contribution to this
can reduce CO2 emissions. With lots of ideas, projects and campaigns, they show how Compass the path to the future and can be role models for others.