Happy Earth Day, Adventure People! :-D Of course it's one of our favorite holidays! Though many of us think about the well-being of our planet on a constant basis, it's nice to know that at least one day per year the whole country (world?) stops to appreciate this pretty blue rock we call home.
By our very nature, outdoor enthusiasts tend to have a deep sense of respect and concern for the fate of our natural environment. While most folks are focusing on their impact within city limits, allow us to share some tips and tricks we've discovered for making your next adventure a little more sustainable and eco-friendly!
Transport: Think about the most efficient way to get to your destination. Carpool with friends and choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle available to you. Feeling the wind rushing through your hair as you bust out of the city on a Friday afternoon feels awesome! But keeping your windows rolled up improves the aerodynamics of your car and saves fuel. Slowing down 5-10 mph saves on gas too. Think ahead so you don't have to make frequent trips back to town for supplies. Plan loop trail hikes so nobody has to drive the extra distance to pick you up on the other side.
Campfires: What's more quintessential to the overnight camping trip than a nice fire. They provide warmth, light, and comfort, but they also release smoke and carbon dioxide. Keep your fire small, burning only dead and down branches that are no bigger than your forearm. Never burn ANYTHING except wood and organic food matter - wrappers, cans, and plastic-coated paper release toxic chemicals that are bad for your lungs and the atmosphere. Consider going without a fire at all (...at least consider it, that's a step!). By calling it an early night you'll be diminishing your carbon footprint, and everyone knows that waking with the sunrise is good for the soul. Helps you reconnect with the natural rhythm of the day too.
Food: Keep it light, and keep it local. Plan your menu to include lots of fresh, easy to eat on-the-go foods. Leave all but essential packaging at home or at the store. The less garbage you bring with you, the less waste you'll have to haul home. Why not pick up your food at a local market near your destination. You'll save gas (by reducing the wight your car must carry) and support the area's economy. You already know for safety you should tie up your food and put your 'smelly-ables' it in a bear can, but burying unwanted leftovers or throwing apple cores, seeds, and orange peels in the woods encourages wildlife to venture too close and may even harm the ecology. Pack it in, pack it out... that includes your food (AND POOP) too! :-D
Water: Evaluate the cons of buying and bringing lots of bottled water. Invest in a good water filter and take it with you on every trip. Bring chlorine tablets as a backup just in case. Find a good reusable water bottle, that can be recycled when you're done with it. A new metal water bottle requires something like 10,000 times as much energy to produce than a single paper cup. So learn to love that new bottle, cause it better last you 7-10 years.
Back at Home: Plug equipment such as computers, TVs, and DVD players into power strips so you can easily turn them all off with a single button. Killing the power to these devices prevents unnecessarily wasted energy, and saves you money for more camping trips! Unplug phone chargers and power adaptors when not in use - they suck up energy just by being plugged into the wall. Recycle all of your batteries, and use rechargeable batteries in your flashlights and outdoor equipment.
It's these kinds of simple changes that make the biggest difference. Let's trash talk this stupid word: DISPOSABLE. Talk openly and honestly about your own ideas that you think will make a difference - then lead by example. It's the right thing to do.
All our love ;)
Garet & Dusty
