When you think about professional competitive surfing you probably picture John John Florence, or a competitor of his ilk, flying out of a gaping barrel and/or boosting a giant air with a jersey on. Timed heats, judging, performance innovation, cash prizes, corporate sponsors, and dramatic world title races should also come to mind. While the World Surf League (WSL) encompasses all of these things it’s also starting to use its power and influence to reach into the realm of environmental progression.
With the launch of a new division entitled Progressive Understanding and Respect for the Environment (PURE) in April 2016, WSL is aiming to make a positive impact on our precious playing field and world at large. WSL PURE is in part a partnership with Columbia University Center for Climate and Life at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Based on information from WSL PURE’s website, the goal is to fund and conduct ocean and climate based research, educate its massive network of surf minded followers, and inspire advocacy and action at all levels of engagement.
Like the top ranked surfers vying for a world title, WSL PURE is aiming to do big things. Some of the critical issues WSL PURE plans to address include, sea level rise, ocean health and ecosystems, ocean acidification, and ocean related climate change.
Although the program is in its infancy it’s an amazing concept and partnership with endless potential to inform and empower the public. The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has been a forerunner of ocean and climate science since it was established in 1949, while the WSL reaches a world wide audience of ocean enthusiasts. The combination of these two elements is poised like an eager competitor at the water’s edge. As WSL PURE paddles out into the oncoming set of research and programmatic challenges, it will be interesting to see how its campaign unfolds.
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