News
26-03-2008
The Green Blue, three years and counting...
In the last ten years wehave become much wiser to the fact that the environment is under threat from a wide range of issues from pollution to global warming.
The Green Blue environmental programme was developed in response to this. We secured a three year grant under Defra's Environmental Action Fund. The Crown Estate, MDL, Countryside Council for Wales, the Environment Agency (and EA Wales), Scottish Natural Heritage, as well as several other supporters joined forces and the programme was rolled out in Wales, Scotland and across England.
“We always knew we were somewhat preaching to the converted.” Said Susie Tomson, Planning and Environment Executive at the RYA, “ there was never any question that people didn't’care about the environment, after all that is what makes us go out there on the water every opportunity we get. The thing was that there were some changes we could make which would really minimise the impact we were having on the marine environment as boaters, we wanted to give people the best advice possible and let them make the choices.”
Three years later we have a programme packed full of best practice advice, great publications and useful tools. The Green Blue has been recognised by Government and trade associations as being an leading initiative programme.
So what has The Green Blue been up to for the last three years?
Sarah Black, Project Manager explains "When the programme began we realised there was no single repository for scientific information about the environmental impacts of recreational boating. We set about creating our own and today we have a database of more than 600 papers relating to all aspects of potential concern, an important resource for gaining credibility, checking our facts and keeping impacts in perspective. The database is updated regularly and we now have an e-newsletter to keep people up to date.
- We have distributed more than 500,000 leaflets, stickers and posters (all on recycled paper, of course).
- We have attended 15 national boat shows
- We have spoken at more than 100 events, addressing more than 10,000 people
- We have worked with clubs to develop the clubs pack, business to develop the business toolkit and boaters to create the boat checklist
- Website visitor numbers have doubled and our e-newsletter is sent regularly to almost 1000 people
In response to demand from boaters we developed a new website, The Green Directory. Here businesses offering relevant environmentally friendly products and services can advertise fro free. The site offers a on-stop shop for anyone wanting to choose the more environmentally friendly options for boating products. The 'Tried and Tested' section of the website offers advice on issues from antifouling t wash balls and encourages boaters to test the environmental claims as well as the effectiveness of the products and services.
Support from our ambassadors, such as Lady Pippa Blake, widow of the late Sir Peter Blake, Mike Golding OBE, Dee Caffari MBE have ensured we received media coverage. But coverage in the media is not everything; we have produced a CD-ROM, 'Into The Green Blue', which pulls together and covers the full range of boating interests from power and sail to narrow boats and cruisers. It will be sent to all clubs and instructors and has resources to keep both kids and adults interested.
What next...
After three years of core funding from Defra our priority is to implement practical solutions for clubs and marine businesses. They tell us they struggle with recycling and waste management issue, so e will work with them on this throughout this year. We are also working on a handbook to help clubs to deal with various environmental management issues.
