How Does Canoeing Affect The Environment?

Canoeing is a highly environmentally friendly activity that does not cause erosion, noise, or water pollution. It is also a human-powered activity, which allows canoeists and paddle boarders to work with the Environment Agency to protect their environment. The changing climate is likely to make weather events like hurricanes, extreme rainstorms, sea-level rise, heat waves, and severe drought worse, limiting people’s recreation.

Kayaking has three positive effects on the health of our natural environment: it is human-powered, causes no erosion, noise, or pollution, and leaves no trace of its passing. It is also an environmentally benign activity, as it does not damage fish stocks. Language matters, and canoe trips pass through traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples.

However, canoeing can cause disturbance to local vegetation by trampling and breakage, breaking and dislodgement of rock and other formations, and compaction of soil and other deposits. To minimize the impact of your kayak adventure on the environment, it is essential to be considerate and respectful, treat others as you would wish to be treated, and respect the freshwater and marine life.

Paddle boats use no fuel, causing no pollution and leaving no trace of their passing. They also do not contribute to river bank erosion and are not washed, making them a sustainable choice. Kayaks made from plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose, accumulating in landfills, waterways, and oceans. By following basic rules and respecting wildlife and places visited, canoeing can have a very low impact on the environment.