“We are revitalizing an ancient form of transportation … using just the power of the wind and the tides … to move goods and people,” says skipper Fulvio Casali. In their CSA (community supported agriculture), the Salish Sea Trading Cooperative uses nearly no petroleum to transport organic produce and other goods from the north Olympic Peninsula to northwest Seattle. By sea they use community volunteer sailboats, and by land an electric delivery truck. Come on board with cofounders Casali, Kathy Pelish, and Alex Tokar, who are patiently redeveloping the skills and infrastructure for the return of “a whole fleet of sailboats blanketing Puget Sound” in the post-petroleum era. Episode 208. [www.salishseatrading.com]
Watch video | Audio | iTunes |Transcript | Review: CSA Now Delivers by Sailboat to Cut Carbon
Early on in this conversation, my thought was – I still urge people w/yards to grow some/much of their own food…as local as the endeavor can be. Most people (w/yards) still do not – or frequently devote only a tiny portion of these to food-production. Yet, the movement is ever-growing. And so are others, such as this, that are similarly inspiring. Many of us in the P.N.W. have Scandinavian ancestry and I think this speaks to us – it certainly does me! However, I hasten to acknowledge that – in earlier times – sailing ships delivered goods of all nature worldwide. It was fun to listen to some of the CSA members and read some of the comments here. More community-building for certain. I think that, when we see such things being done – food-growing or delivery of food, etc. by sail – it eases the way for more of us to embark upon such endeavors…rather than have them remain simply ideas. Thank you for yet more inspiration:)
Hearing about this makes me seriously want to get back out on the bay. I have not been out in two months and I really need to just hook something… Bad… Checking out this stuff just doesn’t do it
Hi Janaia, a great idea. I can see the bean counters picking holes in it but that’s OK. As Fulvio says, “it’s a symbol that touches many people.” As long as people realise that there are other ways to do things rather than the fossil fuel route, there is hope.
On another matter, it was a great way to finally get my PeakMoment fix at last. No doubt you and Robyn have been enjoying yourselves immensely. No news is good news I suppose, but it’s been a long time between drinks for this little black duck. 😉 It would be nice to hear a bit more about what you’ve been doing while on you break.
Regards,
Ed.
Hurrah for sail! I can’t tell you how delighted I am that these folks are making a go of sail freight. Wonderful example for others to adopt, which I think is very likely. Are you training apprentices- so they can set up parallel enterprises in other regions? Please? 🙂
I’d like to make an additional suggestion, which I think would be a natural for the PAC NW – sail powered commercial fishing. I think the market is already there, and you should be able to get a small premium price for salmon, etc, that could be labeled “Sail-caught”. Deanna would buy it! Me too! (well, except I’m a bit far away…)
The hard economics of fishing with sail power can only improve, as the price of diesel increases; re-learning those skills now will pay off rapidly; and finding old fishermen who remember how to manage a net with sail has to getting more difficult daily…
I heard a Troller Moter and well I thought they used gas. So I would not say this is completely carbon free but it is a step in the right direction as we all need to eat more local food sources. I think it shows they are very bright to use the wind, currents, and tides to their advantage. Brains take the place of oil energy power.