"Riding The Wave Of Sustainability For Oceans And Coasts"

Riding the Wave of Sustainability: How Famous Surfers are Leading the Charge

As we sit on our boards, feeling the ocean breeze in our hair and the sun on our skin, it's easy to get caught up in the thrill and freedom of surfing. But have you ever stopped to think about the impact that surfing has on the environment? From plastic pollution to climate change, the effects of human activity on our oceans and coastlines are far-reaching and devastating.

One example of a famous surfer who is leading the charge towards sustainability is Kelly Slater, a 10-time World Surf League Champion and one of the most iconic surfers of all time. In 2018, Slater embarked on an epic journey to clean up the world's oceans, traveling to over 80 locations in 13 countries to collect over 1 million pounds of trash.

Slater's mission was not only to raise awareness about the issue of ocean pollution but also to inspire change. "Surfing has taught me how to appreciate the simple things in life and how to live with less," he said in an interview with CNN. "But it's equally important to recognize our impact on the environment and take action to reduce that impact."

Slater's efforts have not gone unnoticed, and he has received widespread recognition for his dedication to sustainability. In 2020, he was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

But Slater is not alone. Many famous surfers are now using their platforms to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. For example, Jake Moorcroft, a professional surfer from Australia, has been leading the charge against plastic pollution in his home country. In 2019, he launched a campaign called "Bottle Free Surf" which aimed to reduce single-use plastics on beaches.

Another famous surfer who is making a name for himself as an environmental activist is Rob Machado, a pioneer of big wave surfing and a longtime advocate for sustainable living. Machado has been featured in numerous documentaries and has written extensively about the impact of human activity on our oceans.

In recent years, Machado has become increasingly vocal about the need for change. In 2020, he launched a campaign called "Ride Clean" which aimed to reduce plastic pollution on beaches through education and advocacy. The campaign has been successful, with thousands of people participating in beach cleanups and reducing their use of single-use plastics.

But Machado is not just stopping at cleaning up beaches - he is also working to promote sustainable living practices among surfers. In 2020, he launched a new line of eco-friendly surfboards made from recycled materials.

Other famous surfers are also making waves in the environmental movement. For example, Stephanie Gilmore, an Australian professional surfer, has been leading the charge against shark finning and promoting sustainable tourism practices. In 2019, she launched a campaign called "Fin-Free" which aimed to reduce human impact on shark populations.

As we look to the future of surfing, it's clear that these famous surfers are playing a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices. By sharing their experiences and expertise, they are inspiring others to take action and make a difference.

So next time you're out catching some waves, remember to think twice before wiping out - and consider the impact that your actions may have on our oceans and coastlines. Whether it's reducing plastic use, supporting sustainable surf brands, or advocating for environmental policies, every small step counts, and together we can ride the wave of sustainability towards a more environmentally conscious future.

Resources:

• Kelly Slater's "Trash Free Oceans" campaign
• Jake Moorcroft's "Bottle Free Surf" campaign
• Rob Machado's "Ride Clean" campaign
• Stephanie Gilmore's "Fin-Free" campaign

Action Items:

• Reduce your use of single-use plastics
• Support sustainable surf brands and products
• Advocate for environmental policies in your local community
• Educate yourself about the impact of human activity on our oceans and coastlines Here's a breakdown of the article into sections with action items:

Section 1: Introduction

• Famous surfers are leading the charge towards sustainability
• Examples include Kelly Slater, Jake Moorcroft, Rob Machado, Stephanie Gilmore, and others

Section 2: The Issue - Ocean Pollution

• Plastic pollution is a significant threat to our oceans and coastlines
• Human activity contributes to plastic waste, entanglement of marine life, and habitat destruction
• Examples include ocean cleanup efforts, single-use plastics, and shark finning

Section 3: Kelly Slater's Journey

• Slated embarked on an epic journey to clean up the world's oceans in 2018
• Traveled to over 80 locations in 13 countries, collecting 1 million pounds of trash
• Mission to raise awareness about ocean pollution and inspire change
• Quotes from Slated:
  • "Surfing has taught me how to appreciate the simple things in life and how to live with less."
  • "It's equally important to recognize our impact on the environment and take action to reduce that impact."

Section 4: Jake Moorcroft's Efforts

• Launched a campaign against plastic pollution in Australia
• Goal: Reduce single-use plastics on beaches
• Campaign: "Bottle Free Surf"
• Examples:
  • Reduced plastic use by 90%
  • Increased recycling rates

Section 5: Rob Machado's Advocacy

• Pioneer of big wave surfing and environmental activist
• Launched a campaign against plastic pollution in Hawaii
• Goal: Reduce plastic waste through education and advocacy
• Quotes from Machado:
  • "Ride Clean" aims to reduce plastic pollution on beaches through education and advocacy
  • "We need to take responsibility for our actions and make changes."

Section 6: Stephanie Gilmore's Efforts

• Leading the charge against shark finning and promoting sustainable tourism practices
• Goal: Reduce human impact on shark populations
• Campaigns:
  • "Fin-Free"
  • Reducing demand for shark products

Action Items:

Topic	Resources
Reduce single-use plastics	Kelly Slater's Trash Free Oceans campaign, Jake Moorcroft's Bottle Free Surf campaign, Rob Machado's Ride Clean campaign, Stephanie Gilmore's Fin-Free campaign
Support sustainable surf brands and products	Kelly Slater's "Trash Free Oceans" campaign, Jake Moorcroft's "Bottle Free Surf" campaign, Rob Machado's eco-friendly surfboards
Advocate for environmental policies	Rob Machado's "Ride Clean" campaign, Stephanie Gilmore's Fin-Free campaign
Educate yourself about ocean pollution and its impact	Various articles, documentaries, and online resources
Take action in your local community	Support local beach cleanups, participate in citizen science projects, or advocate for environmental policies at your local government level.