A sea-roots movement dedicated to mobilising and empowering surfers for continuous and positive climate action. #surfersforclimate
Our mission is to empower and mobilise a sea-roots movement for positive climate action. Surfers for Climate is an Australian based registered charity dedicated to turning the tide on climate change. The movement started in October 2019, after surfing co-founders Johnny Abegg and Belinda Baggs attended a climate summit on Heron Island, Queensland. They were moved by what they learnt about climate science, the impacts of climate change and how many viable solutions there are from Australia’s leading scientists and policy experts. Most importantly, though, they were struck by the critical role the oceans play in our climate system.
The discovery left them breathless, like gasping for air after a solid beatdown. This was the catalyst for Johnny and Belinda to form Surfers for Climate. Inspired by the collective power of surfers in the successful Fight for the Bight campaign in South Australia. Since forming – Surfers for Climate has continued to grow, with thousands of people from the surfing community across Australia coming together to save our ocean playgrounds.
What we are about: As we paddle out together there are core values we live and breathe:
• Bold Inclusion: We welcome surfers and ocean lovers of all abilities, from all identities, backgrounds and beliefs.
• Thoughtful Larrikins: We channel the spirit of surfing’s counter culture roots.
• Recognise the ‘True Locals’: We honour and learn from First Nations connection to country and culture.
• Collaboration and Connection: We work with like-minded communities, businesses and organisations to make change happen.
• Respect : We look after the Earth, the ocean and each other, always.
Our goals are clear and simple:
1 To mobilise and empower an alliance of surfers to care about climate.We are building a large and powerful movement – surfers of all levels of abilities and crafts, surfing organisations, surfing peak bodies, surf industry, boardrider associations and surf clubs – that see the risk that climate breakdown poses to oceans and surfing, and are motivated to act.
2 To help the surfing community play a powerful role in stopping coastal and offshore fossil fuel developments. We will fight to prevent new coastal and offshore fossil fuel developments with surfers playing key roles in these campaigns.
3 To take action on implementing climate solutions. Climate solutions already exist in the surfing community – carbon neutral surf tournaments, solar on surf clubs, surf brands reporting on sustainability measures, supporting mangrove/seaweed restoration, other ‘blue carbon’ projects – but we can pull off even more!
4 To make MPs representing surfing communities take action on climate. Surfing communities have real political power. We’ll help them use their influence to convince their politicians to champion climate action.