Be eco-responsible at the beach
When summer vacation comes around, it can be tempting to slip back into bad habits without thinking about the consequences for the planet: piling up waste, buying ready-made meals, and so on. Whether you're heading to the Atlantic coast or the Mediterranean, don't forget the right habits, because every year coastlines are becoming more and more fragile due to bad habits. So even on holiday, don't skimp on eco-friendly actions to help support our planet’s well-being, while still enjoying yourself! Here are 5 easy tips for an eco-friendly summer.
1. Try your hand at carbon-free water sports!
Because you have every right to enjoy yourself on vacation, there are plenty of water sports with a low carbon footprint. Rather than heading out to sea on a motorboat, choose water sports such as surfing, paddleboarding, windsurfing, or dinghy sailing. These activities are eco-friendly because they require no motor to do them: the motor in question is your arms and/or legs! Put them to good use and enjoy a fun time with friends without disturbing Mother Nature. What's more, these are activities that produce no noise pollution, so they won't bother people nearby. Even better, they don't disrupt marine wildlife, since some motorized boats and watercraft can seriously damage this already fragile fauna. By doing these activities, an eco-friendly summer is within reach!
2. Adopt the zero-waste philosophy
If you're a fan of the zero-waste philosophy in your bathroom, which involves reducing your waste production by choosing eco-friendly refills for your shampoos or shower gels for example, why not apply it on the beach too? Zero waste is simple: just reduce, or even eliminate, all plastic containers or packaged products. Choose zero-waste accessories for picnicking on the beach. Replace plastic with glass, metal, or wood. In short, go for reusable items: you won't have to throw away anything non-food-related, and you'll help protect the planet by greatly reducing the amount of waste left on beaches. Bring your dishes, glasses and cups, and your water bottles. Reducing your waste is a key tip for a successful eco-friendly summer !
3. Choose eco-friendly sunscreen
In summer, sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the sun's UV rays. The problem is that some ingredients in these creams are chemical and have dramatic effects on the sea and its biodiversity. Since beaches are extremely crowded during the summer, huge amounts of sunscreen end up mixing into the ocean.
To solve this problem, know that there are sunscreens made with mineral filters: they are ideal and effective alternatives to traditional sunscreens, which have become far too harmful to the ocean.
4. Save the water from the showers provided for you
On some beaches, you can find freshwater showers that let you rinse off the salt water after swimming. Save as much of this water as possible by keeping your rinse as short as you can, and above all, do not use soap or shampoo, because most of these showers are unfiltered and the water drains straight into the ocean. For washing, wait until you get home!
5. Respect biodiversity and don't take anything home
To maintain an eco-friendly attitude, it is important to encourage ethical behavior toward flora, as well as fauna! It's best to avoid disturbing starfish, crabs, and other shellfish living on the sand or in the sea. Also avoid touching rocks, which can be a favored spot for certain species. Do not touch coral either, as these are fragile and protected organisms. Also do not collect shells, pebbles, sand, or seaweed, which play a fundamental role in the balance of our ecosystem. Depending on the country or region visited, there are strict regulations regarding biodiversity protection. It would be a shame to come back from vacation with a fine! So it's best to respect wildlife and plant life, wherever you go: beach, forest, park, etc.
By following these few non-exhaustive but essential rules, you'll do the ocean and marine biodiversity a world of good, and they'll return the favor! So for a respectful summer, don't forget to stick to your good resolutions and adopt these few simple actions for an eco-friendly summer !
