Exploring sustainable eco-friendly hobbies

Everyone has hobbies, however, probably only a very few of us have ever thought about the impact our hobbies have on the environment. In truth, most hobbies probably lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. This could be through prolonged electrical or other fuel use. Other hobbies may lead directly or indirectly to pollution on land, as well as in both the sea and the water table.

Most people enjoy trying new hobbies and it’s very possible to enjoy eco-friendly hobbies which leave next to no environmental impact. It is becoming increasingly important for us to take a more active role in reducing climate change, hence there are added benefits to partaking in hobbies which are sustainable and can be continuously enjoyed by the generations to come. One can be forgiven for thinking that there are only so many things in Malta you can do to pass the time, however, that is simply not the case.

Throughout this blog post, we will be discussing some possible ideas for sustainable, eco-friendly hobbies.

Perhaps one of the secrets of enjoying sustainable pastimes is to enjoy the moment, particularly the weather or season that one finds themselves in. Fortunately, in Malta we can experience prolonged periods of time with warm, pleasant weather. This is where our first eco-friendly hobby comes in – scuba diving and snorkelling. Our warm climate and calm seas allows for the opportunity to go regularly for at least 6 months of the year.

Malta is an incredibly popular destination for scuba divers and snorkelers alike due to the number of lush underwater ecosystems, as well as a number of shipwrecks to explore both in Malta and in Gozo. It goes without saying that one still needs to pay attention to their actions underwater so not to disturb the wildlife or the habitats such as coral and other reefs. It’s also understandable that some may have reservations especially concerning scuba diving, however, when conducted in a professional environment and after receiving the necessary training, it is actually one of the safest hobbies one can possibly do.

Aside from being an incredibly safe activity when done correctly, it also has the added benefit of being immensely peaceful and calming. It paves the way for underwater exploration, as well as facilitating a deeper (no pun intended) appreciation for the sea, its wildlife and ecosystems.

The sea may not be for everyone but don’t worry as there are still plenty of sustainable hobbies to try out on land as well. As previously mentioned, one of the secrets of properly enjoying eco-friendly pastimes is to take note of the season, this time in regards to food. Some people probably wouldn’t consider food to be unsustainable as long as there’s no waste. It’s important to remember that fruit, vegetables and even fish are seasonal and therefore not readily available all year round. Therefore, in order to have certain food products, there is likely either the need for them to be imported or else, be of a lower quality to be readily available during their offseason.

The most sustainable way to enjoy food is cooking with local seasonal products as much as possible. Since they would be in season, naturally they would be of a higher quality. Apart from this, this usually avoids repetition as the changing of seasons allows for a variety of different products to be used. One could argue that eating locally sourced and seasonal food is much more enjoyable than the conventional eating habits we may already have.

Lastly, there are also potential hikes and long walks that can be enjoyed in Malta. There are a number of scenic hiking paths scattered around Malta, Gozo as well as Comino for all those who prefer a more physically challenging form of hobby. This can give an opportunity for people to visit some of Malta’s nature reserves. Apart from the physical exercise that comes with hiking, there is also the possibility of joining multiple activities together, such as birdwatching, photography as well as general nature appreciation.

Overall, hiking is a great way to promote exploration and nature appreciation however, it can go a step further if people are introduced to the idea of ‘geocaching’. Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity where people search for small containers called geocaches, these can contain little messages or secrets. These can be scattered across Malta as they already are all over the world. These can be found using a GPS to find their location at their exact coordinates.

It’s important to note that with any of these outdoor activities that it is very important to not litter or disrupt the natural environment in any way especially with the hiding and finding of geocaches.

The importance of living more sustainable and eco-friendly lives is becoming more and more prevalent, this extends beyond just the workplace but even our lifestyles and thus our hobbies.

After providing a list of different activities which are eco-friendly and sustainable, perhaps one can begin to explore more the landscapes, seascapes and food that the Maltese islands have to offer and in the process, find themselves hooked on a brand new hobby which they can enjoy for years to come.

Our GO Green Initiative
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This blog post was written by Benjamin Thomas Scerri – Sustainability Associate, GO Green.

Benjamin is a member of the GO Green team. His main focus is keeping track of new ways in which to make GO more sustainable wherever and whenever possible.