Do you feel like you could benefit from holding hands more? We think so! This month, Surfrider Pacific Rim is holding our monthly beach clean up on May 20th at Cox Bay, following this we’ll participating in “Hands Across the Sand.” This is a worldwide event that has been organized to say yes to clean energy and no to polluting fossil fuels! Last year, this event was a huge success, with 86 events around the world – from Morocco to Australia. This year, Surfrider is putting Canada on the map by hosting this event on our home coast! This day is exciting because it will be an intersection of solutions as we clean the beach of plastic and other forms of polluting debris, and create a gathering that tells the leaders of this country that it is essential for us to implement clean energy faster than is currently being achieved. In order to lower carbon emissions and avoid coastal catastrophe, we are showing our government that we cannot accept pipelines and increased tanker traffic in British Columbia. Our event is about making plastic pollution and climate change more connected in our minds and actions, as the Plastic Pollution Coalition states, “plastic pollution and climate change are parallel global emergencies. Plastic is a petroleum product; to truly divest from fossil fuels, we must reduce our collective plastic footprint”. In one fun swoop, we’ll be raising awareness around these aligned issues, bringing our community to stand on one of our most beloved beaches, with people around the globe doing the same on theirs!

So, how are plastic pollution and climate change interconnected? The plastic industry is a huge contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that our oceans and atmosphere are continually absorbing. Currently, plastic manufacturing is estimated to use 8 percent of yearly global oil production. The EPA estimates as many as five ounces of carbon dioxide are emitted for each ounce of polyethylene (PET) created, which is one of the most common plastics produced. In addition to this, extracting the fossil fuels needed to produce plastic and transporting plastic products all contributes to climate change causing GHG emissions, so the percentage of yearly global oil production usage is much higher than the estimated number. When plastics aren’t recycled, these products then find their grave in the landfill or ocean where they have the potential to break down and cause damage for the rest of time. So, the plastic impact is twofold: the GHG emissions released to create and use plastic, and the pollution created in improper disposal.

Image credit: Chandler Williams of Modus Photography

 Being on the coast we are the most vulnerable to the effects of microplastics, our whole coastal society depends on the healthy functioning of our surrounding marine ecosystems. For instance, we source a significant amount of our food from the ocean, and microplastics are a serious threat to our food security, as they are even finding their way into clams and mussels. We are also the most at risk to the effects of climate change with sea level rise, shrinking beaches, damage to coastal infrastructure, the effect of ocean acidification on local flora and fauna, increased pollution on the coast from elevated stormwater runoff, and stronger storms. We are the people to challenge this potential future reality, to influence our society being powered by clean energy. In doing this, we are obviously still reliant on fossil fuels, Steve Abel from Greenpeace New Zealand explains this situation clearly, “there is no hypocrisy in living in a society dependent on oil while planning and working for a society that is free of oil dependence. If we are to transition we must enact policies to end oil dependency even while we are hooked on oil.” As a part of this system, we can still work to transform it; we can advocate for clean energy, and do our best to reduce and eliminate single use plastics from our communities. Everyday we breathe in the benefits of people’s past efforts to cultivate biodiversity, to protect the rainforests, and steward the wonderful web of life our coast is home to. We have this opportunity to be the people who continue this legacy, for our own lives and all of those who will follow us. We have this opportunity to positively change the world and have a good time doing it, which Surfrider is all about.

It turns out Cox Bay is an impressive beach, and we are going to need over 800 people to hold hands to cover its great expanse! I know our community is capable of profound feats, without a doubt we can make this happen! We are the forefront of this movement, so let’s lift each other up, share the event, bring a buddy, get your dancing shoes on, and bring your favourite reusable mug! Be sure to mark your calendars and show up to clean the beach, advocate for clean energy, and then join in the games, food and music to be shared after! There’s definitely way more to discuss than this article can elaborate on, so come and chat at our upcoming events and take part in more Surfrider action leading up to this day. In the month of May, be sure to join our monthly public meet up at the Tofino Brewery on May 5th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, this is a sweet way to get involved and find out more on the cool volunteer opportunities we have for May including booth babes and surf bums! We are also looking for a crew of stoked Surfrider’s to join us for the Ripcurl Pro event on 12-14 of May! Surfrider will be there all weekend cheering for the event, and talking ‘trash’. Come see us at our booth, bring your reusable cup for the Ripcurl stew, and try our fact or fiction quiz! For all the grommets, get ready to clean the beach with SPY and come play the ocean game with everyone. Surfrider Ambassador, Tofino Yoga, will be offering beach yoga so come and get your toes sandy. This year’s event is going to be a fun filled weekend for everyone, we look forward to seeing you there!

For more volunteer opportunities, please check out our website https://pacificrim.surfrider.org/volunteer/

For more information on Hands Across the Sand, check out http://www.handsacrossthesand.com/