Flying Ferries
In Stockholm, Sweden, boating is a way of life. With 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, passenger ferries and personal boats are as common as TriMet, MAX, and bicycles in the Portland Metropolitan area. And while a tapestry of waterways may sound idyllic, some 756,000 leisure boats are taking their toll on the environment.
Gas-powered boating accounts for 25% of Sweden's CO2 emissions, the engine noises are increasingly problematic for wildlife, and the high-speed travel across the waterways is wreaking havoc on the shorelines and the seabeds beneath.
Candela, a Swedish start-up with an eye toward the future, has designed fully electric, zero-carbon hydrofoil water taxis and passenger ferries that virtually float inches above the surface of the water -- traveling at speeds of up to 30 knots rather than the traditional maximum of 12 knots. For a two-minute glimpse of a floating Candela C-8, look here: Candela Boats.
Gustav Hasselskog, the founder and CEO of Candela, says he was inspired by the innovations of the electric carmaker Tesla. In his effort to design a more environmentally friendly boat, Hasselskog used an ultralight composite fiber to build the hull, and attached wing-like structures to the underside. As the boat gains speed, the underwings lift it up out of the water, reducing friction, eliminating wake, increasing battery efficiency, and allowing the boat to travel at high speeds.
Because the Candela hydrofoils create only minimal waves as they move across the water, the ride is smooth, Hasselskog says: "You have this sense of flying."
Much like Teslas, Candela electric vessels are expensive. The C-8 leisure boat retails at about $320,000, which prices it among other boats in the luxury market. The 30-seat passenger ferries, unveiled this past week, could cut commute times in Stockholm by more than half, and Gustav Hemming, Stockholm's regional councilor of water transportation, reports that investors are ready.
As caretakers of the earth, what are we doing to ensure that God's beautiful creation will be flourishing for generations to come? Consider these words from Psalm 115:16 --
The highest heavens belong to the Lord.
But he has given the earth to human beings.
As many of us plan to gather under the trees this weekend to rest, play, and worship, how do we honor God's creation with our actions as well as our admiration? What steps can we take as individuals or as families to seek out new solutions for minimizing our environmental impact and protecting the artistry of the Lord?