going green with a grin (asia pacific boating - india - jan feb)

20 21Asia-Pacific Boating January/February 2015 Asia-Pacific Boating January/February 2015

IN FOCUS

A bunch of people are standing outside in the biting cold, with placards in their hands, and slogans on their lips; their voices hoarse from yelling and urging the powers-to-be to sit up and take notice. You look on; bemused and in wonder as to what the fracas is all about.

It’s simple. Our environment – comprising the water we drink, the air we breathe in, the other natural resources we make use of on a daily basis – is perched upon a dangerous precipice. We have made the mistake of taking it for granted and abused it for our own material good - having caused immense damage in the process.

Th e forces of climate change are wreaking havoc on the atmosphere, with our activities spurring them on.

Global warming? What’s the big deal!Climate change, as we know it, refers to the rapid rise in Earth’s temperatures which is causing the Arctic ice-caps to gradually melt; hence, initiating a rise in the sea levels that in turn can affl ict major destruction by way of submerging coastal cities and wiping the existing habitation off Polar Regions.

Marine life, in particular, faces umpteen perils with regard to climate change. Th e Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts a further rise of 1.4°C - 5.8°C in global temperatures by the end of the century. Th is rise could turn out to be the last nail on the coffi n for many oceanic species which are already under stress from ill-monitored fi shing activity and habitat loss.

One predominant example of the species that stand to lose their way of life owing to this caustic progression is the penguins. Adélie and Emperor penguins in particular are facing the wrath, with the depletion of ice costing them readily available food and forcing them to adapt to the swift change. Erstwhile existent colonies of these adorable creatures are losing concentration, especially with sheets of sea ice increasingly thinning or even blowing away.

GOING GREEN WITH A GRINClimate change is real and happening fast. What people don’t comprehend is that we have the solutions to this conundrum in our own hands.

By Megha Sharma

Feature 6 pgs.indd 20-21 31/12/14 12:56 am


IN FOCUS

A bunch of people are standing outside in the biting cold, with placards in their hands, and slogans on their lips; their voices hoarse from yelling and urging the powers-to-be to sit up and take notice. You look on; bemused and in wonder as to what the fracas is all about.

It’s simple. Our environment – comprising the water we drink, the air we breathe in, the other natural resources we make use of on a daily basis – is perched upon a dangerous precipice. We have made the mistake of taking it for granted and abused it for our own material good - having caused immense damage in the process.

Th e forces of climate change are wreaking havoc on the atmosphere, with our activities spurring them on.

Global warming? What’s the big deal!Climate change, as we know it, refers to the rapid rise in Earth’s temperatures which is causing the Arctic ice-caps to gradually melt; hence, initiating a rise in the sea levels that in turn can affl ict major destruction by way of submerging coastal cities and wiping the existing habitation off Polar Regions.

Marine life, in particular, faces umpteen perils with regard to climate change. Th e Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts a further rise of 1.4°C - 5.8°C in global temperatures by the end of the century. Th is rise could turn out to be the last nail on the coffi n for many oceanic species which are already under stress from ill-monitored fi shing activity and habitat loss.

One predominant example of the species that stand to lose their way of life owing to this caustic progression is the penguins. Adélie and Emperor penguins in particular are facing the wrath, with the depletion of ice costing them readily available food and forcing them to adapt to the swift change. Erstwhile existent colonies of these adorable creatures are losing concentration, especially with sheets of sea ice increasingly thinning or even blowing away.

GOING GREEN WITH A GRINClimate change is real and happening fast. What people don’t comprehend is that we have the solutions to this conundrum in our own hands.

By Megha Sharma



IN FOCUS

So, what is meant by a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) or Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, measured in pounds of Carbon Dioxide, which are released into the atmosphere whenever a specifi c action is performed. Carbon footprints measure the impact of human beings’ day-to-day activities, and how they aff ect the process of climate change.

Yes, we can!So, what is it that we as the populace that woefully brought the Earth to this decaying state can do to help matters? Th e answer is, a lot.

Th e fi rst and foremost stop on this reclamation route has to be increased awareness. Keep your eyes and ears open to the latest happenings around the world. Take an interest in the ongoing discussions and debates on environmental concerns. Read and learn about the adverse eff ects of our daily activities on the atmosphere around us.

Next comes monitoring. Record and observe your carbon footprint. Study it in detail and try to fi nd ways to contain the same as much as possible.

Implementation is what should follow next. Realise the urgency of the situation, convey it to those around you, and then try to execute the changes you have enlisted in order to conserve more, and consume less. Dedication and regularity is the key here. It’s not the one-off , passionate endeavour that will yield results. Consistent eff orts, however small in scale, are what will make a diff erence for good.

Plankton is one of the many varieties of creatures that are threatened by global warming. Th ese are particularly crucial, as they form the basis of marine food chains. Coral bleaching, which is a stress response caused by high water temperatures, is another adverse outcome of climate change that can eventually lead to coral death.

For many other species, changes in sea temperature also mean a change in their breeding cycles. Take marine turtles for example. Female turtles swim ashore, dig nests in the sand, lay their eggs and then return to the sea. A rise in sea levels is thus sure to aff ect prominent nesting beach areas. Rising warmth will also lead to a skewed sex ratio, as in the case of turtles the temperature during incubation is what determines the sex of the egg.

Along with being a threat to all sorts of marine organisms – be it whales, sea lions, polar bears or zooplankton – a rise in the water level is also likely to pose the greatest challenge to Earth’s mangrove ecosystems, which require unwavering sea levels for long-term survival.

Add to all this the rampant worsening of the quality of air around us which we breathe day-in and day-out, and what we have is a hazardous and disease-ridden cauldron waiting to bubble over. Th is is where the concept of a carbon footprint comes into play.

“FEMALE TURTLES SWIM ASHORE, DIG NESTS IN THE SAND, LAY THEIR

EGGS AND THEN RETURN TO THE SEA. A RISE IN SEA LEVELS IS THUS

SURE TO AFFECT PROMINENT NESTING BEACH AREAS.”

Global warming is a bane to many marine species.

Ways to curb the damage• Restrict fl ying as much as possible• Chuck that SUV, get a more eco-effi cient car• But the most energy effi cient refrigerator that you can• Try and reduce space and water heating requirements• Use more energy effi cient lighting solutions • Go organic! In food, in bath products, in makeup et all

Lend support to the climate causeDonate, volunteer or propagate. You can contribute in a myriad ways to the cause of climate change by affi liating yourself with any of these organisations that are working tirelessly towards a cleaner and greener Earth:• Reef Watch Marine Conservation: http://www.reefwatchindia.org/• Bombay Natural History Society: http://www.bnhs.org/• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): http://www.worldwildlife.org/• Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeace.org/• Th e Nature Conservancy: http://www.nature.org/• Earth First: http://www.earthfi rst.org/

How to calculate your boat’s carbon footprintIn order to calculate the carbon emissions from your boat’s fuel consumption, multiply your fuel tank size (in gallons) by the pounds of CO2 (per gallon) emitted. Th is can be determined by the type of fuel you make use of (refer to the chart below). One gallon of gasoline is equal to about 20 pounds of CO2:One gallon of fuel lbs of O2 per gallonMarine Diesel 21.24 lbsMarine Unleaded 93 19.88 lbsMarine Unleaded 91 19.51 lbsMarine Unleaded 89 19.52 lbsJet A 21.10 lbsBiodiesel 5.02 lbs

Green the boatAnything and everybody has a carbon footprint. Th is includes our beloved boats. Th ere are many ways in which you can go green and eco-sensitive.

Carefully calculate your boat’s carbon footprint, and then research for ways in which you can limit the same to the lowest level possible. If looking to buy a new one, invest in a model that has been designed and constructed using ecologically sustainable materials. Technological innovation in the fi eld has also come up with motoring solutions that off er a plethora of ways in which fuel can be conserved and minimal energy consumed.

Penguins are bearing the major brunt of climate change.

Undeterred rise in sea levels could lead to submerging of coastal habitants.

Consistant efforts can help contain this spread of toxicity.



IN FOCUS

So, what is meant by a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) or Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, measured in pounds of Carbon Dioxide, which are released into the atmosphere whenever a specifi c action is performed. Carbon footprints measure the impact of human beings’ day-to-day activities, and how they aff ect the process of climate change.

Yes, we can!So, what is it that we as the populace that woefully brought the Earth to this decaying state can do to help matters? Th e answer is, a lot.

Th e fi rst and foremost stop on this reclamation route has to be increased awareness. Keep your eyes and ears open to the latest happenings around the world. Take an interest in the ongoing discussions and debates on environmental concerns. Read and learn about the adverse eff ects of our daily activities on the atmosphere around us.

Next comes monitoring. Record and observe your carbon footprint. Study it in detail and try to fi nd ways to contain the same as much as possible.

Implementation is what should follow next. Realise the urgency of the situation, convey it to those around you, and then try to execute the changes you have enlisted in order to conserve more, and consume less. Dedication and regularity is the key here. It’s not the one-off , passionate endeavour that will yield results. Consistent eff orts, however small in scale, are what will make a diff erence for good.

Plankton is one of the many varieties of creatures that are threatened by global warming. Th ese are particularly crucial, as they form the basis of marine food chains. Coral bleaching, which is a stress response caused by high water temperatures, is another adverse outcome of climate change that can eventually lead to coral death.

For many other species, changes in sea temperature also mean a change in their breeding cycles. Take marine turtles for example. Female turtles swim ashore, dig nests in the sand, lay their eggs and then return to the sea. A rise in sea levels is thus sure to aff ect prominent nesting beach areas. Rising warmth will also lead to a skewed sex ratio, as in the case of turtles the temperature during incubation is what determines the sex of the egg.

Along with being a threat to all sorts of marine organisms – be it whales, sea lions, polar bears or zooplankton – a rise in the water level is also likely to pose the greatest challenge to Earth’s mangrove ecosystems, which require unwavering sea levels for long-term survival.

Add to all this the rampant worsening of the quality of air around us which we breathe day-in and day-out, and what we have is a hazardous and disease-ridden cauldron waiting to bubble over. Th is is where the concept of a carbon footprint comes into play.

“FEMALE TURTLES SWIM ASHORE, DIG NESTS IN THE SAND, LAY THEIR

EGGS AND THEN RETURN TO THE SEA. A RISE IN SEA LEVELS IS THUS

SURE TO AFFECT PROMINENT NESTING BEACH AREAS.”

Global warming is a bane to many marine species.

Ways to curb the damage• Restrict fl ying as much as possible• Chuck that SUV, get a more eco-effi cient car• But the most energy effi cient refrigerator that you can• Try and reduce space and water heating requirements• Use more energy effi cient lighting solutions • Go organic! In food, in bath products, in makeup et all

Lend support to the climate causeDonate, volunteer or propagate. You can contribute in a myriad ways to the cause of climate change by affi liating yourself with any of these organisations that are working tirelessly towards a cleaner and greener Earth:• Reef Watch Marine Conservation: http://www.reefwatchindia.org/• Bombay Natural History Society: http://www.bnhs.org/• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): http://www.worldwildlife.org/• Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeace.org/• Th e Nature Conservancy: http://www.nature.org/• Earth First: http://www.earthfi rst.org/

How to calculate your boat’s carbon footprintIn order to calculate the carbon emissions from your boat’s fuel consumption, multiply your fuel tank size (in gallons) by the pounds of CO2 (per gallon) emitted. Th is can be determined by the type of fuel you make use of (refer to the chart below). One gallon of gasoline is equal to about 20 pounds of CO2:One gallon of fuel lbs of O2 per gallonMarine Diesel 21.24 lbsMarine Unleaded 93 19.88 lbsMarine Unleaded 91 19.51 lbsMarine Unleaded 89 19.52 lbsJet A 21.10 lbsBiodiesel 5.02 lbs

Green the boatAnything and everybody has a carbon footprint. Th is includes our beloved boats. Th ere are many ways in which you can go green and eco-sensitive.

Carefully calculate your boat’s carbon footprint, and then research for ways in which you can limit the same to the lowest level possible. If looking to buy a new one, invest in a model that has been designed and constructed using ecologically sustainable materials. Technological innovation in the fi eld has also come up with motoring solutions that off er a plethora of ways in which fuel can be conserved and minimal energy consumed.

Penguins are bearing the major brunt of climate change.

Undeterred rise in sea levels could lead to submerging of coastal habitants.

Consistant efforts can help contain this spread of toxicity.


25Asia-Pacific Boating January/February 201524 Asia-Pacific Boating January/February 2015

IN FOCUS

designs can provide great drag reduction, thus increasing performance,” opines Masola.

On specifi c makes or models of yachts that promise a cleaner sailing experience, Masola categorises the eco-sensitive options available into the following two categories:• Pure Electric Yachts: Possessing only electric engines

and power pack, which is to be recharged using solar panels or at the dock - these models can go really low on a carbon footprint. With very few actually available, such yachts mostly exist as prototypes which are in continuous development.

• Hybrid Yachts: Th ese boast of combustion engines which have been coupled with electric ones, and come highly recommended. Th ey seem to be the best solution as of now for a sustainable yachting revolution. Herein the safety of traditional propulsion can be retained along with the greener alternative of using the electric motors more and more. On their smaller project, the Hybrid33, Green Yachts has installed an electronic system, which automatically manages the twin engines so as to optimise propulsion in diff erent speeds and sea conditions. Th e great advantage of an electric engine is not only zero pollution, but also the lack of noise and vibrations and an excellent curve of performance.

New yachts can be made eco friendly, if realised keeping in mind the target of sustainability. Innovative technology can provide excellent construction materials to create a lighter yacht which can be moved with lower HP, thus consequently reducing pollution. Attention needs to be paid to the machinery installed onboard so as to minimise energy consumption.

“I focus a lot on illumination; preferring natural light wherever possible and paying attention to shades and design tricks which will help maintain a stable temperature onboard. Th is in turn helps in limiting the use of air conditioning which forms a huge part of onboard energy requirements,” Masola says.

“Being eco-sensitive also means paying attention to the materials used - fi nishings, woods, fabrics - every single item must contribute towards reduction of the carbon footprint,” he concludes.

Th e ugly consequences of our wasteful ways are already rearing their heads, and threatening our and other life forms’ way of existence. Th e environmental outlook appears very bleak unless men and women take determined initiatives to curb, contain and conserve - for the decisions we make today will alone determine the state of the planet we will bequeath upon our future generations.

THINKING GREEN WITH GREEN YACHTSA humble architect from a family with a rich tradition of yachting, Mattia Masola of Green Yachts, Italy vigorously reinforces the importance of going green. “For me it is ever critical to think green! We have no time to waste, as green is the only possible future for both our economy and our existence. Th ere are great opportunities for green yachting, and clients have started appreciating such initiatives,” he says.

Masola’s Green Yachts not only works with yacht owners towards creation of new, sustainable models - but also aids in conversion and optimisation of existing ones. “Th e market of second-hand yachts is growing, and we help owners to refi t and upgrade their yachts in terms of design and sustainability,” he adds.

Suggesting ways for yachting afi cionados to reduce their boats’ carbon footprint, Masola recommends upgradation of the propulsion system, wherein engines can be possibly coupled with electric variety for a perfect Hybrid. He also advocates analysing the hulls of existing yachts, and implementing modifi cations that will help reduce drag and consequently limit consumption. “New bulb

Mattia Masola

Old style hybrid vessel based on the origial drawings of USS Williamburg

Fast streamline 90 ft with hibrid propulsion built in aluminium.

Hibrid 33, an entry level to sustainable yachting.

“BEING ECO-SENSITIVE ALSO MEANS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE

MATERIALS USED - FINISHINGS, WOODS, FABRICS - EVERY SINGLE ITEM MUST

CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS REDUCTION OF THE CARBON FOOTPRINT.”


25Asia-Pacific Boating January/February 201524 Asia-Pacific Boating January/February 2015

IN FOCUS

designs can provide great drag reduction, thus increasing performance,” opines Masola.

On specifi c makes or models of yachts that promise a cleaner sailing experience, Masola categorises the eco-sensitive options available into the following two categories:• Pure Electric Yachts: Possessing only electric engines

and power pack, which is to be recharged using solar panels or at the dock - these models can go really low on a carbon footprint. With very few actually available, such yachts mostly exist as prototypes which are in continuous development.

• Hybrid Yachts: Th ese boast of combustion engines which have been coupled with electric ones, and come highly recommended. Th ey seem to be the best solution as of now for a sustainable yachting revolution. Herein the safety of traditional propulsion can be retained along with the greener alternative of using the electric motors more and more. On their smaller project, the Hybrid33, Green Yachts has installed an electronic system, which automatically manages the twin engines so as to optimise propulsion in diff erent speeds and sea conditions. Th e great advantage of an electric engine is not only zero pollution, but also the lack of noise and vibrations and an excellent curve of performance.

New yachts can be made eco friendly, if realised keeping in mind the target of sustainability. Innovative technology can provide excellent construction materials to create a lighter yacht which can be moved with lower HP, thus consequently reducing pollution. Attention needs to be paid to the machinery installed onboard so as to minimise energy consumption.

“I focus a lot on illumination; preferring natural light wherever possible and paying attention to shades and design tricks which will help maintain a stable temperature onboard. Th is in turn helps in limiting the use of air conditioning which forms a huge part of onboard energy requirements,” Masola says.

“Being eco-sensitive also means paying attention to the materials used - fi nishings, woods, fabrics - every single item must contribute towards reduction of the carbon footprint,” he concludes.

Th e ugly consequences of our wasteful ways are already rearing their heads, and threatening our and other life forms’ way of existence. Th e environmental outlook appears very bleak unless men and women take determined initiatives to curb, contain and conserve - for the decisions we make today will alone determine the state of the planet we will bequeath upon our future generations.

THINKING GREEN WITH GREEN YACHTSA humble architect from a family with a rich tradition of yachting, Mattia Masola of Green Yachts, Italy vigorously reinforces the importance of going green. “For me it is ever critical to think green! We have no time to waste, as green is the only possible future for both our economy and our existence. Th ere are great opportunities for green yachting, and clients have started appreciating such initiatives,” he says.

Masola’s Green Yachts not only works with yacht owners towards creation of new, sustainable models - but also aids in conversion and optimisation of existing ones. “Th e market of second-hand yachts is growing, and we help owners to refi t and upgrade their yachts in terms of design and sustainability,” he adds.

Suggesting ways for yachting afi cionados to reduce their boats’ carbon footprint, Masola recommends upgradation of the propulsion system, wherein engines can be possibly coupled with electric variety for a perfect Hybrid. He also advocates analysing the hulls of existing yachts, and implementing modifi cations that will help reduce drag and consequently limit consumption. “New bulb

Mattia Masola

Old style hybrid vessel based on the origial drawings of USS Williamburg

Fast streamline 90 ft with hibrid propulsion built in aluminium.

Hibrid 33, an entry level to sustainable yachting.

“BEING ECO-SENSITIVE ALSO MEANS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE

MATERIALS USED - FINISHINGS, WOODS, FABRICS - EVERY SINGLE ITEM MUST

CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS REDUCTION OF THE CARBON FOOTPRINT.”


going green with a grin (asia pacific boating - india - jan feb)

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