Seeing Green

Posted by Floatmarine On November - 23 - 2009

I am finally seeing green, I have joined the trend, the masses and since am on the immaculate path of being considered one of the hip urban dwellers I had no choice but to be all green. My son does not agree, actually snickered and then laughed when I said was hip now but I wasn’t listening, I was proud nonetheless. Going green has shifted to the main stream of our society, now when you mention seeing green someone is more likely to equate it to the environmental factors than the green eyed monster of jealousy even though my son thought I was talking about the hulk, hey I can excuse that since he is only 8 and he is a huge hulk fan to him green equals hulk and nothing else.
While the term going “green” has gone mainstream and become fashionable, we have all seen former vice pres Al Gore winning that Oscar on the global warming documentary; the government is doing its part with the programs like the cash for clackers, even celebrities like Johnny Depp with his new island home which is to be solar and hydrogen powered, ok that Toyota Prius “harmony” commercial is still creepy to me. Going “green” is still as simple as doing everything in our power to protect the environment. Even Though ”Its not easy Buying Green” ”http://www.newsweek.com/id/207780″>Its not easy Buying Green we all have a responsibility . As a purveyor of boat parts and boat supplies for the boating industry I feel I too have a responsibility to shine a light on what we do to feed the green eyed monster.
I was launching the boat this morning when I watched as a couple of kids at the marina toss some half eaten breakfast into the water and watch it bobble away, you could see the fish swim up and eat the food and the kids were having such a good time that as much as I was angry, I was more saddened. Here I was trying to think of way to explain how what they were doing was not good for the environment and how even though the food they were tossing was going to degrade one way or another but that the wrappers were going to remain floating on forever, how it was up to each and every one of us to do their duty in helping the environment even if they were just kids. I really was compelled to say something though so I did, it’s a unique problem we boaters face the very idea of “what you do in the water stays in the water” means if you pollute the problem does not seem real since it doesn’t follow you home.
For me it hits home when you here words like the EPA reporting that north east Ohio had the second dirtiest beaches in America for the third straight year on row, our waters are so polluted that I cannot let my son play anywhere near them. Am galvanized into action to do something on the platform most familiar to me, as a boater there are some ”http://www.floatmarine.com/boat_parts/”>boat parts and ”http://www.floatmarine.com/boat_supplies/”>boat supplies one can use to help in the effort to help the environment and going “green” here are a few things.
1. Biodegradable cleaners and waxes – while many companies are trying to follow the “green” Trend I must say that regulation still hasn’t caught up with the technology so make sure you are using a certified product. Using biodegradable boat supplies when cleaning your boat is environmentally friendly and it will still give you the same professional detail normal products will.
2. Solar panels- Think about using solar panels for your electric consumption. Solar panels can produce an output of up to 100w which is sufficient for your electric needs.
3. Electric Outboards vs. Gasoline – The benefits of using electric outboards are worthwhile your biggest issue would be keeping the battery charged and that can be done using solar panels. Even if the choice is a difficult one you can always decide to have both and use the electric more than the gasoline i.e. gasoline for cruising or just keep the gas as a reserve.
4. Ethanol – Ethanol is a refined grain alcohol produced by the fermentation and distillation process of such renewable crops as corn, sugar cane, and sugar beets and has the potential to produce cleaner engine emissions. Ethanol is also an oxygenated hydrocarbon with the useful potential to increase the octane rating of unleaded fuel this is good because you can blend ethanol and gasoline for your outboard engine. While ethanol may not pose the environmental hazards of other gas additives, the chemical properties of ethanol are much different than those of other fuels, giving ethanol blends the potential to cause severe damage to some engine systems so do your homework before you decide to use it.
While these are just a few options you can use to make your boat more “green”, I am by no means advocating on the abandonment of modern technology for just wind and sails far from it, in the middle of being green is our actions. Doing what we have to do to protect the environment it could be as little as not dumping your trash in the water, nothing is too small or too large in protecting Mother Nature so what will you do.