The Façade of Green Lifestyles: Outdoor Recreation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Norway

Abstract

Outdoor recreation is a popular leisure activity many consider to be an environmentally friendly practice that promotes care for the natural world. This study uses a survey to investigate transportation use and gear purchasing habits among Norwegians who participate regularly in outdoor life. Using a hybrid life-cycle assessment, it was estimated that the average participant releases between 3.4 and 4.7 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year due to outdoor recreation activities. This is equal to around one fifth of the average Norwegian’s yearly greenhouse gas emissions and is more than double the per capita boundary required to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius. Regression analysis highlights level of disposable income as the best predictor of environmental load. This indicates that the façade of a green lifestyle based on ecological values masks the global environmental consequences of excessive consumption related to outdoor recreation activities.