Gota Dagua Surf Camp Portugal | Sustainability

Sustainability

Our mission to reduce our carbon footprint

As surfers, we have a strong connection to our natural environment especially the ocean, therefore we understand the importance of doing our part in protecting our planet for future generations. The oceans constitute over 70 percent of our planet and provide us with vital energy, food, minerals and the sea plants that have their home there produce over 70 percent of the oxygen we breathe. The stability of our climate relies upon the interaction of our atmosphere and oceans therefore it’s in our shared interest and responsibility to protect and keep our oceans healthy.

Reduce, reuse and recycle

Recycling is one of the simplest ways for us to have a positive impact on the world in which we live. However, we must act fast as the amount of waste we create globally is increasing rapidly. Here at Gota Dagua we do everything we can to follow the simple process of “The 3 R’s”: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. While recycling is of great importance, the most effective way to reduce our waste is to not create it in the first place. That means that reducing and reusing are equally as important in protecting the environment. We make every effort possible to reduce our waste where we can and recycle or repurpose anything we can’t. We do our best to find new homes for boards that are no longer in top quality for our lessons as well as repurposing old wetsuits for products such as yoga mats. We are always researching and discovering new ways to reduce our impact.

Weekly beach clean to take care of our hometown

We encourage everyone that stays at Gota Dagua to participate in our weekly beach cleaning and community clean up sessions. One hour per week can make a huge difference and it’s amazing to see the amount we can achieve in this time. During the last season we collected over 800 kg of trash in just 4 months thanks to everyone’s collective effort. It’s important to keep the beaches and our local community trash-free as well as raise awareness of this global problem. We recommend you check out the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots non-profit environmental organization, aiming to protect and preserve the world's oceans, waves and beaches. They host events all over the world where you can participate as a volunteer.

All our cleaning products are eco-friendly.

When we opened our surf camp we decided that all our products should be eco-friendly. After an exhaustive search we found a Portuguese company called Greendet that provides all the ecological cleaning products we require. From the household cleaning products in our surf houses to the detergents, conditioners and disinfectants we use to clean our wetsuits, they are all 100% ecological.

Reducing our carbon footprint by conserving water & electricity

Another simple yet effective way of reducing our carbon footprint is to conserve water and electricity in any way we can. Our surf camp is fitted with motion sensor lights in the halls, toilets and other areas which are not in frequent use. All our windows and doors are double glazed to reduce the amount of energy lost through heating. All our lights are low consumption LEDs. We advise all our guests to limit their shower time and take notes of all the signs around the camp to turn off lights and save energy where possible. These small changes, when implemented properly, can really make a difference.

All our merchandise is ecological

Here at Gota Dagua we have made a commitment to ensure that all our clothing is made from 100% organic cotton. Organic cotton uses 91 percent less water than regular cotton as well as producing fewer greenhouse gases during its production. Organic cotton is produced and certified to the organic agricultural standards. Its production sustains soil health, ecosystems and local communities by using natural processes rather than artificial inputs. Most importantly organic cotton farming does not allow the use of toxic chemicals or GMOs. Instead, it combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote a good quality of life for everyone involved.

Vegan food option store duce the consumption of animal products

Did you know that meat and farmed livestock including dairy products account for 14.5 percent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions? What’s even more shocking is that this equates to roughly the total emissions of every car, ship, aircraft, and train on the planet! If every person on the planet adopted a vegan diet, it would take just three decades to drop the world’s food-related emissions by 70 percent and help greatly in the effort in reducing global warming.There are several other benefits of a vegan lifestyle that contribute immensely to protecting the environment including reducing CO2 and methane production, water preservation and reduction in deforestation. It also reduces the amount of chemicals, antibiotics, and growth hormones in our food and water supply. As the world population grows, so does the demand for food, fossil fuels, and freshwater. It’s imperative that we take this into serious consideration when making choices surrounding our diet and food sources. A vegan diet can help reduce the demand, and in turn, create a more sustainable environment.