Westfield River Canoe Race 2012

They made it through Hill and Dale Rapids and just after I stopped the camera, the guy in the bow jumped into the cooooool water.  Air temps were in the 70s so it was a warm race despite the chilly water.

I had 10 Westfield State students interview paddlers and spectators this morning and we get over 80 surveys!  The purpose was to determine where folks came from, some background racing history and regular paddling and some basic demographics.

We also collected info about the respondent's car so we can calculate the carbon emissions.

Coffee and Carbon Footprint

Tracking my coffee shipment from Costa Rica to my door.

March 14, 2012
14:38

San Jose - Costa Rica Shipment picked up
March 14, 2012
19:32

San Jose - Costa Rica Processed at San Jose - Costa Rica
March 14, 2012
21:04

San Jose - Costa Rica Processed at San Jose - Costa Rica
March 14, 2012
21:20

San Jose - Costa Rica Departed from DHL facility in San Jose - Costa Rica
March 14, 2012
21:33

San Jose - Costa Rica Arrived at DHL facility in San Jose - Costa Rica
March 14, 2012
21:47

San Jose - Costa Rica Processed at San Jose - Costa Rica
March 14, 2012
22:48

San Jose - Costa Rica Departed from DHL facility in San Jose - Costa Rica
March 15, 2012
00:56

Panama City - Panama Arrived at DHL facility in Panama City - Panama
March 15, 2012
00:57

Panama City - Panama Arrived at DHL facility in Panama City - Panama
March 15, 2012
01:41

Panama City - Panama Arrived at DHL facility in Panama City - Panama
March 15, 2012
01:59

Panama City - Panama Processed at Panama City - Panama
March 15, 2012
02:24

Panama City - Panama Departed from DHL facility in Panama City - Panama
March 15, 2012
07:53

Miami, FL - USA Arrived at DHL facility in Miami, FL - USA
March 15, 2012
07:54

Miami, FL - USA Clearance processing complete at Miami, FL - USA
March 15, 2012
08:01

Miami, FL - USA Processed at Miami, FL - USA
March 15, 2012
21:14

Miami, FL - USA Processed at Miami, FL - USA
March 15, 2012
22:24

Miami, FL - USA Departed from DHL facility in Miami, FL - USA
March 16, 2012
01:25

Cincinnati, OH - USA Arrived at DHL facility in Cincinnati, OH - USA
March 16, 2012
02:16

Cincinnati, OH - USA Arrived at DHL facility in Cincinnati, OH - USA
March 16, 2012
02:20

Cincinnati, OH - USA Processed at Cincinnati, OH - USA
March 16, 2012
04:06

Cincinnati, OH - USA Processed at Cincinnati, OH - USA
March 16, 2012
06:12

Cincinnati, OH - USA Departed from DHL facility in Cincinnati, OH - USA
March 16, 2012
10:01

West Hartford - USA Scheduled for delivery
March 16, 2012
11:10

West Hartford - USA With delivery courier
March 16, 2012
18:01

West Hartford - USA Consignee premises closed
March 19, 2012
09:34

West Hartford - USA With delivery courier
March 19, 2012
16:57

West Hartford - USA Shipment delivered

Recreation and Carbon Footprint

Problem: According to the United Nations Environmental Programme, CO2 emissions generated directly from the tourism sector account today for 5 per cent of global CO2 emissions. In many cases, especially in the ecotourism sector, tourists may believe their impact in minimal as they try to travel green. This misconception needs further exploration since ecotourism is often touted as a green alternative to conventional mass tourism when in fact, the impact may be spread over a larger natural area. The purpose of this poster presentation is to identity the environmental impact generated by a canoe race from both the participants and the observers.

Background: The Westfield River watershed is one of Massachusetts’ largest undeveloped land areas. Current climate observations for the Northeast US indicated conditions are warmer and wetter (USDA-FS). Projections for the 21st Century indicated a likely warmer condition while there is an uncertainty about precipitation. Given these data, research into the environmental impact is crucial and timely. The Carbon Footprint is one measure of the recreation impact of human activity related to leisure pursuits. Individuals are attracted to high quality natural environment and the direct and indirect impacts resulting from carbon emissions can deter from that experience. According to the World Tourism Organization changes in the availability of water, loss of natural habitats, reduced to the visual landscape, altered agricultural production, and other factors will all impact tourism as a result of climate change.

Methods: A pre and post inspection of the course highlights many of the bio-physical impact associated with the Annual Westfield Wild water Canoe Race, the oldest continuously run race in North America. The carbon impact will be calculated by impact survey conducted during the annual event.

Results: While individual carbon emissions from one paddling team may be modest, the combined contribution of the participants and observers increases the impact tremendously. For example, for an average automobile, approximately one half pound of carbon is emitted every mile of driving. As a result of this estimate the Carbon Footprint of the Westfield Wild water Race may exceed 10 tons of Carbon emissions! The survey will be executed during April 2012 and the carbon footprint will be calculated.

how many pounds (tons) of carbon is my flight contributing

I notice that most American airlines do not give an option to offset carbon emissions. Or if they do, it is buried down deep in the website.

I think I will plant some trees in the spring!