SUSTAINABLE SAILING Heather Francis
The word sustainable is used a lot these days. So much so that sometimes it sounds trivial and trendy. A hashtag rather than a philosophy, a bunch of white noise rather than something to sit up and pay attention to. But the concept, and the conversation, are not new. What does sustainable really mean? According to the Oxford English Dictionary something is sustainable when it can “be maintained at a certain rate or level”. In an environmental context being sustainable is the capacity for the human civilization to exist, in harmony, with the biosphere without depleting natural resources beyond regeneration. Living in our modern, technological world it is sometimes difficult to find that equilibrium. One that both allows us to enjoy modern conveniences and to live in balance with the natural world. Now there is an entire market built up around sustainability, making it easier than ever to start making positive changes in your daily routine. That also means that it is easier than ever to get caught in the consumer trap
of “going green” - buying gadgets you don’t need and replacing items already in use for new ones that are more “sustainable”. On the surface the sustainable, or zero waste, industry not only looks good but makes us feel better. Dig deeper and sometimes it feels a bit like caking on makeup; simply hiding the imperfections, not solving the issue.
Making choices that are both ecologically thoughtful and can be maintained for the long run can take some determination. We are currently sailing in the Philippines, and just trying to avoid single use plastic bags when I go to the market can mean repeating my mantra “no plastic, no plastic” four or five times to each vendor. It also requires us to be aware of the bigger picture, the larger story behind the one we are presented with, however uncomfortable that may be. Switching to a plant-based diet may reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be better for the animals bred to be consumed. But crops grown in a mono-culture, sprayed with toxic chemicals and shipped halfway around the world might measure up to be SisterShip 37
