Our carbon neutral/low impact operations mandate:

• Comprehensive plan executed for design of “cradle to cradle” micro systems to macro impact (materials, energy, waste, food, bio, etc.)
• Guests and clients carbon impact will be offset for their travel to and from the yacht
• Massive solar array powers most on board equipment
• All cleaning and personal care products (ie soap) are non-toxic and biodegradable
• On board beer and soft drink brewing eliminates approximately 1800 bottles and cans every year. Reverse osmosis water maker creates all drinking water. NO plastic bottles are allowed on board.
• Rigorous fossil fuel monitoring and publically issued “score card”
• Website hosted on solar powered server
• All on board batteries are rechargeable
• Conscious provisioning includes buying locally grown and harvested goods with limited or no use of processed foods
• All sponsors of the expedition must be “green” conscious and strive to operate in a sustainable manner
• Printed materials on post-consumer recycled paper, merchandise (t-shirts, etc.) are made from 100% organic cotton and earth-friendly dyes.
• 1% of our annual receipts are donated to pro-active non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans

CORAL

Over the past twenty years, biologically productive coral around the world has been destroyed five times faster than tropical rainforests. And similarly to forests, coral reefs are the source of medicines, chemicals and other valuable resources. The pace of destruction has doubled in the past decade and some corals surrounding the Galapagos are near extinction. More than a quarter of the world’s reefs have already been killed and another 50 percent are threatened. The Caribbean has lost 80 percent of its reefs in the last three decades. Coral reefs are home to 25 percent of the animals and plants that live in the ocean.

FISH AND PLASTIC

Fish stocks may RUN OUT by 2048, reveals a new report from Science magazine. And there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by as early as 2030. Blue Fin tuna are endangered. More than 50% of the world’s seafood is now grown rather than caught in the wild, which experts warn is only adding to a growing problem. Pollution in the ocean isn’t just hurting aquatic life, it’s harming everyone. Find out more and learn what you can do.

SEA TURTLES

Sea turtles have been swimming the world’s oceans since before the dinosaurs, more than 110 million years ago. However, these treasures of ancient times are now on the brink of extinction. The grazing habits of sea turtles help maintain sea grass beds. These beds provide breeding and developmental grounds for many species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Fewer turtles lead to the decline of healthy sea grass beds— and the loss of many more marine species.

SHARKS

Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems by preying on fish that feed off the reef. A number of scientific studies demonstrate that depletion of sharks result in the loss of commercially important fish and shellfish species down the food chain, including key fisheries such as tuna that maintain the health of coral reefs. Yet commercial fisheries kill around ONE HUNDRED MILLION sharks every year! They are intentionally harvested for shark fin soup. An estimated 50 million sharks are caught unintentionally as bycatch in commercial fisheries every year.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change and global warming is no longer a question of “is it happening?” It’s a question of “how fast?”. Scientists predict global sea levels could rise by more than twenty feet with the loss of shelf ice in Greenland and Antarctica, devastating coastal areas worldwide. Experts suggest that summers in the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free by 2050. Island nations we have sailed like Tuvalu, the San Blas and the Maldives could disappear!

What Can We Do?

The best available science shows that the loss of Arctic sea ice threatens and will continue to threaten marine and human life. To save the polar bear, ringed seal, narwhal and ultimately ourselves, we must save the Arctic by stopping global warming through the reduction of CO2 levels in the atmosphere to below 350 parts per million.

Here are some ideas for getting started:

Save Energy: Install fluorescent or LED light bulbs. Lower your thermostat and unplug electronic devices. Advocate for your community to adopt sustainable energy sources

Drive Less: Walk, bike or carpool when you can. Look into expanding public transit for you and your community

Use Less Stuff: “Reduce, reuse, and recycle” when you can to limit your use of plastics, packaging and other materials

Eat Smarter (and Healthier): Always buy local and sustainable foods for yourself and your family

Learn…and Teach Others: Learn all you can about how we can overcome climate change then spread the word

Use Your Dollar: Support eco-friendly corporations, and use your purchasing power to spur others to change

Vote…and Don’t Stop There: Vote for environmentally responsible candidates. Join effective organizations like True Majority, and advocate as often as you can for a brighter future for your community and planet.

‍

‍