With so many fine blogs out there, Tree Hugger, Climate of Our Future, The Nature Conservatory, and so on, all covering the environment in very qualified ways, I’m taking the self indulgent track once again, on to a lane less traveled.
The waves.
To be alone on the water is a glorious thing. Those refulgent though mercurial waves, an experience worth fighting for.
You say the waves? Why should we worry about the waves?
Quite frankly because surfers need them, desire them, live for them. Contrary to public opinion surfers are not all poor ragamuffins with boards traipsing the globe in search of nirvana, and even if they were only that they would still attract a large following. Surfer groupies or followers spend a lot of money, they contribute more than sun bleached hair to the economic health of any given area.
The problem, coastal development without impact studies. In some cases — Cobquecura, Chile, and Cow Head, Tamo Shanter Bay Tasmania, it’s pulp mills.
There are ways to develop without destruction, as there are ways to produce pulp without polluting the coastline.
So, for those who never give a thought to waves, here’s a few links to check out in your free time.
Lost Jewel of the Atlantic Trailer
Lost Jewel of the Atlantic is part of the continuing effort by Save the Waves Coalition to educate governments who propose building along the shore that world class surfing waves and natural coastline are precious resources worth protecting and maintaining. In 2002 the government of Madeira, a Portuguese island off the coast of Morocco, began a series of seawall projects that put several of the islands best surf spots in jeopardy. This documentary tells the story of the triumphs and losses in the struggle to preserve the island’s natural heritage.
Surfrider Foundation Australia
You can purchase posters to support the coalition by clicking on this link.
Or you can just listen to JJ, and watch him surf.
