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Sound Kayakers Club

If everyone lived like an average North American it would take five Earths to support us all sustainably. North America has about 5% of the world's population, and uses 25% of the world's fossil fuel resources annually. The U.S.A. is responsible for 30% of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. According to the Global Footprint Network, "With our overall footprint now exceeding global biocapacity by about 30%, reducing our carbon footprint is essential if we want to get out of overshoot."

Last year we saw Al Gore's movie about global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Following up with our own research, we found the data compelling, and frankly, alarming. For easy-to-understand facts and figures, go to The Pew Center on Global Climate Change. If you're a scientific type, go straight to the Assessment Reports of the Nobel winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The Working Group III Report, Mitigation of Climate Change, describes technologies and practices for sectors where individual efforts can make a significant contribution, including energy supply, transport, buildings and waste management.

At Kayak Adventure, we try to live as globally fair citizens of the Earth. These are some of our "sustainable living" practices, in order of their impact:

Energy Supply
Use efficient appliances and fixtures
In 2003 we replaced our old furnace with a fuel-efficient model. This reduced annual heating oil consumption from 1390 gallons to 860 gallons, saving a pile of money, in addition to reducing carbon emissions. In 2004, we added 9" of insulation to the attic, and reduced oil consumption another 135 gallons per year. We just replaced our fifteen year old top-loading washing machine with a Whirlpool front-loader that uses an average of 212 kwh/year of electricity (168% better than the Federal standard), and about a third the amount of water. See the EPA's EnergyStar and Watersense programs before buying any new appliance, to make the most earth-friendly decision. We've replaced most of our light bulbs with compact fluorescents, which use 75% less energy than regular bulbs.

Turn down the thermostat
On winter nights we keep the temperature at 59 degrees and snuggle under a down quilt. In the morning, we turn it up to 62. This feels cozy upstairs. Downstairs we wear a sweater and vest, adding a light wool cap when needed. Warming up with a morning yoga routine, and taking a brisk walk in the afternoon keeps circulation moving. A hot cup of tea is our third line of defense. When tempted to turn it up, I think about the 2020 global climate scenario - what are we giving to our children and grandchildren? A hothouse, or a liveable planet?

In summer, the mature cherry, oak and ash trees in our yard provide a living air conditioner that make temperatures ten degrees cooler. During a hot spell we open windows only on cool nights, and shut them as soon as the sun comes up. We use pleated one inch thick shades on most windows, which act as excellent insulation, keeping the house cool on all but the hottest days. We'll sleep on the first floor before turning on an air conditioner. Going to bed after a cool shower and shampoo help. Air conditioners add a heat load to an over-stressed environment. They should be last resort.

Daylighting and nightlighting
When I start my day, I pull the shades wide open in the rooms I'll be working in. Using natural light for illumination is called daylighting. At night, I use strategically placed photovoltaic nightlights to light my path through the house with minimal power. They also act to keep mold at bay.

Reduce hot water use
We use only cold water taps, except once a day, when we wash dishes, take a shower and do the laundry in series. In summer, we shower with solar hot water from our back-yard hose. Heating water comprises 15-20% of a typical household energy bill. Go Solar for Free Hot Water, an article in Mother Earth News, lets you evaluate an earth-friendly alternative. Our instructor washes in cold water every morning [to habituate to cold water immersion, a practice that is a tested safety measure for workers in cold water environments].

Transport
Minimize auto use
In a typical month, we might need to buy repair materials, pick up office supplies, or get ingredients for home-made cookies. We plan ahead so errands can wait until there are three things to do in the same geographic area. Combining errands, or "trip chaining," helps improve air quality and reduces traffic congestion. See Simple Steps for Drivers to find out how easy it is to make an impact. Use the Terrapass carbon footprint calculator to find out what your impact is from driving and flying. Having a measure helps you set and reach a goal for reduction.

Using alternate modes of local transportation is healthier for us, and for the environment. Because the bank is a frequent stop, we changed ours so it's an eight minute walk. Our auto sits in the driveway two days a week. We keep two bikes tuned and ready to go for sunny day errands.

Photo: Our vegie garden grows in front, where a southeast exposure gives best sunlight.

Use regionally based suppliers
A large portion of fossil-fuel use comes from transportation for the goods we buy. Whenever feasible, we purchase from local suppliers. By supporting them, we ensure a sound regional economy and help the Earth.

Our staff shares this commitment to the Earth by growing our own greens, herbs and fruits, and purchasing locally-grown produce at Farmer's Markets from June through October. The just-picked sweet taste is unbeatable! Follow this link to find one in your area:  Fairfield County Farmers' Markets.

We also buy "Connecticut Grown" produce year-round at the supermarket. Ask your favorite market to buy and label locally grown products. Read labels to choose local producers for staples such as flour, eggs and sweeteners. Check out Local Harvest to learn more. As a radical commitment to the Earth, forswear tropical produce, unless you're visiting in the tropics. Think about it - on average, produce grown in the US travels 1300 miles to reach grocery shelves!

Recreate locally
Travelling to kayak doesn't make sense when we live on the shore of Long Island Sound, with its rivers, creeks, marshes, estuaries and the Sound itself, all within a short drive for coastal county residents. As an Environmental Educator, our Manager believes in getting to know one's local habitats in all seasons, from pre-dawn to star-lit skies, in rain, fog and snow, as well as sunny weather. Our locale has a rich diversity of marine life, much of which you will only come to know through repeated visits with patient and quiet observation. There's no need to fly to Florida, Baja, or Alaska to find a rich natural environment. Connecticut has 412 species of birds (see the CT Ornithological Association for a checklist.) We recommend A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife by Noble S. Proctor and Patrick J. Lynch for a guide to marine mammals, seabirds, fish and other sea life. To find local launch sites, check out the DEP's CT Coastal Access Guide.

We invite you to travel by train to East Norwalk's Metro North stop, where we'll be glad to pick you up for any Kayak Adventure lesson or trip. The station is a 10 minute walk from our office.

Car-pool to launch sites
Most trips meet at our home office and use the fewest vehicles possible for the short trip to one of five local launch sites.

Waste management
Reduce, reuse, recycle - minimize waste
We bring our own canvas bags when we shop, and choose products with minimal packaging. We re-use water bottles, and store left-overs in re-usable containers. We use cloth napkins and rags rather than paper products. We recycle plastics, metal, newsprint and office paper. All vegetable scraps are added back to our garden, as are grass clippings, autumn leaves, and tree branches that fall in storms. This EPA website has all the tips for source reduction.

Reduce water consumption
Our staff minimize personal use of water. We lay out our gear in one spot to keep our rinse time short. Toilets use the most water, so we follow the camp practice - water yellow, let it mellow, water brown, flush it down. We keep showers short, and don't leave water running when brushing teeth or shaving. The EPA site, How to Conserve Water, gives engineering and behavioral practices to help use water effectively.

We do not water the lawn, as grass will bounce back from a drought (bluegrass and fescue can survive about a month without water). Follow these Lawn Care Tips to Save Water During Drought to have a healthy lawn in spite of erratic rainfall patterns.

This year, we're adding two rain barrels to capture run-off from the roof to water our vegetable and fruit gardens. In times of drought, we save gray water from washing dishes to water house and garden plants.

What's Your Impact?
To find out your impact on planet Earth, take this Ecological Footprint Quiz. To evaluate your impact on climate change, use this Carbon Footprint Calculator from The Nature Conservancy. Patrick Gonzalez, a Nature Conservancy climate scientist, says "each person can make a difference because one small positive act multiplied millions of times produces immense benefits."

Additional resources
Lester R. Brown's book, Plan B - Rescuing a Planet under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble, (2003, WW Norton) provided well-researched information and insights which spurred us to adopt major changes in lifestyle. Brown is President of the Earth Policy Institute. To get an overview of the ecological concept of sustainability, Mathis Wackernagel & William Rees, Our Ecological Footprint, New Society Publishers, 1996 provides a research-based, detail-filled framework. Another book we recommend is Radical Simplicity by Jim Merkel. Jim, who is our Manager's brother, is a founder of the Global Living Project, and was Sustainability Coordinator at Dartmouth College from 2005-2007. We have just started reading Mark Lynas' book Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet, a 2008 publication of the National Geographic Society.

Updated April 1, 2008.