Despite the fact that the term “climate change” continues to be a hot topic, many Americans, including golf course industry professionals, seem to be disinterested or at least dumbfounded by their lack of understanding or relative ability to do anything about it. I, too, must confess that I have slowly moved from a pessimistic unbeliever to a somewhat puzzled and inquisitive “maybe we should check this out a little closer” kind of guy. Having just read the first two chapters of a great little book published by Logistics Management Institute titled “A Federal Leader’s Guide to Climate Change” may have changed my mind.
Several eye-opening statements on the science of climate change and global warming fill LMI’s book. In fact, in the first sentence of the first chapter LMI quotes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a doozy. The IPCC states, “Unequivocal evidence confirms warming of the climate system in the last 60 years, mostly due to emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from human activity”. If these folks are correct, what it means is amazing – and a little scary. Mankind is helping to warm the planet. Elevated air and ocean temperatures are causing snow and ice melt and rising global sea levels. According to the IPCC and LMI, this fact is irrefutable.
Unfortunately for all concerned, GHGs are a complex lot. They include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride and several other smaller, yet still important fluorocarbons and other manmade gases. One of the most significant GHGs is water vapor, a particularly vexing natural element of the convoluted climate change puzzle.
The questions are many. For example, how many of these GHG emissions is your golf course responsible for? What is your carbon footprint? What should we do? For answers, we can look to another fine publication, “Climate Change – What’s Your Business Strategy?” by Andrew J. Hoffman and John G. Woody. Their strategy summary lists three steps to help you get a handle on the climate change issue. First, “Know your carbon exposure”. Second, “Reduce your footprint through concerted strategic action.” And third, “Influence the policy development process by having a seat at the table.”
Carbon neutrality and the GHG busters
In 2007, EBSC Consultants launched its Greenhouse Gas Busters program for the golf course industry. The Canada-based program leads golf facilities through a five-step process to reduce their environmental footprints by going “carbon neutral.” EBSC determines your carbon footprint by documenting your golf course facility’s sources and sinks. Sources generally include fuel and energy use and wastes with the clubhouse being the main culprit at golf courses. Sinks include forests and natural and maintained turf areas.
To answer the question posed above, a comprehensive analysis of the entire facility is necessary to determine your carbon footprint accurately. The key for conscientious golf course industry managers is to set carbon neutrality as a goal and eliminate the sources and increase the sinks.
Scotland leads the way -- again
So, if our climate is changing, how do we adjust? How do we plan? For this type of information specific to golf course management and global warming, we consult the Europeans. Once again, our friends across the pond are in the lead. One can consult “Climate Change & Scottish Golf Courses," a 2004 Sports Turf Research Institute’s publication by Richard Windows. The author says, “The climate change predictions suggest a continuation of these trends towards warmer, wetter autumns and winters and hotter, drier summers.” In other words, it appears that it will not rain when you need it and the warmer temperatures will change how you do your jobs. More bugs, longer growing seasons and increased irrigation requirements. None of this is comforting in the least.
The GCSAA and the Golf Industry Show to the rescue
Thankfully, the golf course industry is blessed with one of the greatest professional organizations in the business. On Monday, Feb. 8, the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America is hosting an environmental session at the 2010 Golf Industry Show in San Diego. “Exploring Golf’s Carbon Footprint” will be led by several pillars in the golf course industry to include Greg Lyman, director, environmental programs, GCSAA; Clark Throssell, Ph.D., director, research, GCSAA; Yaling Qian, Ph.D., Colorado State University; Frank Rossi, Ph.D., Cornell University; and Dana Lonn, PE, managing director, Center for Advanced Turf Technology, The Toro Co. Come early as seating should be scarce. I expect all of us attendees will know a lot more about climate change and our carbon footprint.
Bushman is the director of Ecodesigns International, a golf course management consulting firm. Contact him at ecodesigns@satx.rr.com.