A lot of us dream about helping the ocean- we just don’t know where to start. Education in sustainability has put back into focus, parts that were swept into the waves to be forgotten. SurfRider Foundation Australia expresses how important it is to educate coastal communities about working with their waves; so people on an individual level can be empowered to take responsibility and make informed choices.
SurfRider Foundation Australia: The foundation
In 1991, when water quality was going sour in the Sydney coast, Brad Farmer decided to do something about it. This brought the SurfRider Foundation Australia to life. Ever since then, it C.A.R.E.s. Through Conservation, Activism, Research, and Education, SurfRider breathes to protect Australia’s waves and beaches by activating the community.
Leading activist, Damien Cole, who is also SurfRider’s National Campaign Manager, is not afraid to jump into the roughest waves; whether in the water or out in the world. He fought hard with Torquay’s coastal community to stop the oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight; and the response was powerful. 57 communities ‘paddled out’ to the waves to fight for this Bight on the 23rd of November and won. But action sees itself in different forms in the SurfRider community. From beach clean-ups to school tie-ups, Surfrider aims to empower the coastal community through education.
Why educate?
As much as we learn through our mistakes, does the earth have enough room for us to make them anymore? Damien strongly believes that as important as behavior change is, so are values. Developing the right value systems from an early age can not only pave the way for better practices to come forth; but also arm the next generations with knowledge and tools to combat much of the mistakes that previous generations have laid out.
The Oz Plastic Footprint is on all of us, not just the coastal communities. This oil-based product is reducing fossil fuels, adding to climate emergencies, and choking our marine life- if you want to think of a few reasons. Indeed, micro-plastics consumed by ocean creatures are then consumed by a large population in Australia affecting the health of the community. There are no running away, only better steps. Damien hopes there is a gradual change from disposable communities to efficient resource-based communities.
How does SurfRider educate?
SurfRider has recently sown seeds to reach local youth and coastal businesses by putting into motion several programs.
Ocean Friendly Program
This is a certification awarded to businesses running along the coast for their action to reduce their negative ocean footprint. This involves changing practices to single-use plastic at the moment but has hope to include aspects like energy consumption in the future.
Rise Against Plastics Program
This is an educational program for local youth and school groups to create awareness of plastic and its impact on the environment and the inhabitants of the ocean.
Best of Both: An integration of both programs are underway, so that membership fees paid by coastal businesses goes to fund the local youth programs. SurfRider aims to empower youth with as much education and understanding; so they can take control and form clubs that branch out to deal with issues that plague our oceans. Damien believes the financial support by the businesses hand in hand with young minds; will pave the slow transformation of coastal communities into becoming ocean-friendly. This is a great model of how communities, businesses and the environment can function together in harmony.
What can you do?
Ideas don’t go anywhere without the support. SurfRider Foundation Australia and Ocean Innovators extend out to you, for yours. If you love the ocean and want to help, this is what you can do:
Volunteer
Being a grassroots organisation, SurfRider’s bread and butter come from volunteers. If you have certain skill sets and want to invest them in helping the ocean, don’t hesitate to write.
Become a Member:
One way the different SurfRider communities connect across Australia is through membership and they’d love to have you on board. https://www.surfrider.org.au/membership
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