[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Estancia La Península wants to reduce their impact on Global Warming:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18px|text_align:left|color:%23825534|line_height:36px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alice%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”How Estancia La Península reduces emissions and impact on global warming by conserving nature ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23825534|line_height:36px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alice%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1510148684415{margin-bottom: 23px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Estancia La Península wants to show that it is possible to combine livestock management and tourism with conservation of nature, animal-welfare, and sustainable initiatives. This is why we collaborate with scientists and experts within these areas. In January 2017 three students from the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of Chile (FCFM), led by Industrial Civil Engineer Claudia Mac-lean, carried out a study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions issued by Estancia La Península.
The initiative making this investigation came about when manager Kevin MacLean contacted the FCFM’s Office of Engineering for Sustainability. The main interest of the Estancia La Península was to be able to take the necessary actions to reduce its emissions while caring for and conserving the Lengas, Coihues and Ñirres forests that are part of the estancia.
The assignment of the investigation was to measure how much the estancia was contributing to global warming and how it could contribute to the conservation of the environment through a sustainable management of the estancia. Claudia Mac-Lean and her team looked furthermore into how the estancia could reduce the carbon footprint (which corresponds to the calculation of all greenhouse gas emissions released into the environment by fixed and mobile sources, in a certain time).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”512″ img_size=”1600×900″ alignment=”center” title=”Misery Bay with all its driftwood”][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Identifying the reasons to emission and what captures it ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23825534|line_height:36px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alice%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]
The study lasted for four weeks and this is how they did it: First they calculated the carbon footprint by identifying the main activities of the estancia. The carbon footprint is defined as the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, action, product or organization. Then they started to identify the fixed and mobile sources of greenhouse gasses and analyzed their emission factors. When all factors were identified and categorized, the number of emissions generated during the studied period were calculated.
Secondly, they identified the sources that capture the emission: the main species that inhabit in the surrounding area of the estancia. Their allometric functions (the relation of size to shape) were found, to determine their biomass, and subsequently their annual CO2 uptake.
In short, they wanted to see how much emission was let out and how much of it was captured again.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”520″ img_size=”1600×900″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Conclusion: La Península is a Carbon Negative place” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23825534|line_height:36px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alice%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1510060446863{margin-bottom: 23px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
They concluded that the current emissions are 356.7 tons of CO2eQ per year, but that by caring for and conserving its native forest surrounding the estancia it can capture 621 tons of CO2eQ per year. The carbon capture estimation still needs to be further investigated, but these are very encouraging initial numbers found. That is to say, the present forest and the estancia capture all emitted greenhouse gasses, making the estancia a “Carbon Negative” place.
After end investigation, the team contributed with suggestions on how we can improve our management in an even more sustainable way. Some of the recommendations that emerged from the study were the following:
- Use dry firewood collected within the estancia
- Install and use solar panels to provide electrical power.
- Optimize boat trips that departures from Puerto Natales to the estancia, using them not only to transport visitors but also for the transport of things, e.g., food, machines, etc. for the estancia.
- Reuse the material we already have at the estancia.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]All these suggestions have already been implemented in our management, e.g., the solar panels that we installed back in 2015. The solar panels work 24 hours of the day and provide us energy 20 hours a day, the last 4 hours of electricity comes from the generator.
Furthermore, we collect driftwood from the shore to use for our traditional barbecue “Asado al Palo” and we use dried wood to heat up the buildings. All waste food is collected and fed to the pigs, and we try to reuse the materials we already have, e.g., the horse stable is made of reused materials.
Even though this is good news for the estancia that we are a carbon neutral place, we will continue working on our mission of being a sustainable estancia. We want to be an example for similar places and businesses and show that it is possible to reduce the impact of global warming by the conservation of nature and taking actions towards are more holistic and sustainable management.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”530″ img_size=”1600×900″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]What is Greenhouse Gas Emission?
A greenhouse gas (GHG) is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the so-called greenhouse effect.
Humans activity is part of the increase of this effect, e.g., combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, soil erosion, and animal agriculture. Some scientists predict that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise it will affect ecosystems, biodiversity, and livelihood for people worldwide.
The method and results described in the article are taken from a report of 40 pages made by Claudia Mac-Lean and her team.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]