Join Me for I Surf, I Vote
This past week, I went before the Santa Monica City Council to speak out against single-use plastic and to encourage the Council to adopt amendments that would ban all non-marine degradable single-use plastics within the city.
It’s important that we understand and dive into the issues surrounding single-use plastics because there is a lot of green washing going on. While utensils that are made from corn, starch, or other plant-based materials may seem like viable eco-friendly alternatives, they actually have to be heated up at high temperatures at a commercial composting facility to be composted. Many municipalities don’t have those resources.
Bio-plastics say they’re “compostable” but in reality, they aren’t actually composted because there are no systems set up in southern California and many other areas.
After speaking before the Santa Monica City Council, alongside 30+ Surfrider LA volunteers, they unanimously passed the amended ordinance. Kudos to the staff, Surfrider, and so many activated community members on this momentous victory! I commend the City of Santa Monica for moving this amendment forward!
When we speak up together and use our voices, we can make a change!
That’s why I’m excited to partner up with Blue Uprising this week for their next “I Surf. I Vote” event. This event allows nonprofits, campaigns, businesses, and political organizations to come together in a non-partisan manner with one goal: to galvanize the surfing community’s voice for the ocean.
Join me at Santa Monica Beach at Tower 20 this Sunday, August 19, at 6:30 pm and let’s speak up together!
I’ve traveled the world and have spoken to a diverse array of audiences about single-use plastics and I often get asked about what we as consumers can personally do about this issue. It all starts with education and awareness, lead by example by bringing your own and refusing single-use plastic. This issue may seem insurmountable but when you start locally, tangible change is possible. When you use your voice and vote on the local level, you really are making a difference.
Join me this Sunday at “I Surf, I Vote” as I share my perspective on the importance of voting in local elections, based on my experiences as an advocate for environmental causes.
We will assemble a minimum of nineteen surfboards to spell out “VOTE” in the sand and use a drone to capture an iconic image. You can also join in as they will be asking participants to record their “I Surf, I Vote” videos on site.
Here is the timeline for the “I Surf, I Vote”:
- 6:30 Introductions and Welcome
- 6:45 Event Speaker Angela Sun
- 7:00 Set up surfboards laying down, 19 boards min.
- 7:15 Begin Video of “I Surf, I Vote”
- 7:30 Conclude event 5 min beach Cleanup! Prizes for most rubbish picked up. Possible jump in Mother Ocean .
If you love the ocean, love to surf, or simply want to speak out against single-use plastic, we want you to join us on Sunday! Bring your surfboard, bring a friend, and help us rise up against single-use plastics!
