WSL PURE: Actions

The World Surf League is deeply committed to ocean health and is implementing new initiatives centered around reducing our carbon footprint, refusing single-serve plastics, and leaving every coastline better than we found it. While business and governments play a large part in improving the health of our climate, individual actions are instrumental in creating global change. If we each make a pledge to do something small everyday, we can make big waves to protect our ocean and planet. Below are some actions you can take when making your pledge to slow climate change:

Climate:

• Biking/skating more, driving less (why: reducing your carbon footprint and use of fossil fuels makes a big difference for our planet)
• Driving less and Carpooling more
• Taking public transit
• Eating local (why: because locally produced food has a much lower carbon footprint than items that are shipped across the planet)
• Eating organic (why: because organic is healthier for our soil, our planet, and thus, our ocean)
• Eating less meat (why: producing meat has a high environmental footprint in terms of carbon production and water and land use)
• Eating less dairy
• Buying food in bulk
• Composting food waste
• Vote! (why: because voting for policy leaders who supporting strong climate policy helps to effect change)
• Working to spread awareness on the climate crisis
• Supporting clean energy sources - such as wind, solar, or geothermal.
• Switching to energy efficient light bulbs and LED lights
• Turning off electronics when not in use to save energy
• Supporting sustainable companies and brands who are actively reducing their carbon emissions

The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth and supports life on our planet. If all of us make a pledge to do something small everyday, we can make big waves to protect our ocean and planet. - WSL / Kelly Cestari

Plastic can be useful, but it doesn't belong on our beaches, in our waves, or out at sea. Below are a few ideas to inspire you.

Plastic:

• Always saying no to plastic bags and bringing my own reusable bag
• Avoiding plastic cutlery and always bringing my own reusables
• Always using a reusable bottle or cup, refusing plastic bottled water and beverages
• Avoiding items wrapped in plastic when shopping
• Refusing Single Use Plastic
• Voting to support policies like single-use plastic bans

Activists gather at Keramas for a beach cleanup. - WSL / Ed Sloane

We love going to the beach, but our impact is taking a major toll on shorelines, reefs, and ocean communities. To create a positive impact, the WSL commits to leave each beach better than we found it through restoration programs and local grants. Help us by pledging to commit to the actions below.

Coasts:

• Leaving every beach better than I found it
• Picking up trash on the trail
• Avoiding walking over dunes and stepping on beachgrass (why: beachgrass helps keep our dunes in place.)
• Wearing reef-safe sunblock
• Avoiding stepping on or touching coral reefs
• Respecting the local ecosystem by always staying on pathways (why: following local rules and signage protects sensitive habitats) Donating to organizations on the ground working to make a positive impact