Surfing is a big part of most people's lives, especially in New Zealand, a place with an abundance of beaches. However, calls are being made for the industry to become more sustainable. Award winning British surfer, Lucy Campbell is pushing for her sport to address and change its impact on the planet. Surfing, though usually associated with eco-friendliness, has a much larger impact on the environment than most think.Â
Surfboards are made from polystyrene and polyurethane plastic and covered in toxic resins. While wetsuits are usually made from neoprene, with almost 8,000 tones ending up in landfill each year. Not to mention, with the carbon emissions that spur from trying to catch the best wave, a surfer’s carbon footprint is said to be almost 50% larger than the average person's.Â
The good news is that with statistics like these becoming more and more common, and more surfers pushing for a change, industries are starting to change. Champion surfers, like Lucy Campbell, are turning down sponsorships from companies that continue to be unethical, and awareness is spreading. Companies are even being created to solve this issue; surfboards are being made from natural fibres (even mushrooms), and companies, such as Finisterre are trying to recycle wetsuits.Â
The surfing industry has caused a lot of damage, but thanks to people like Lucy Campbell, it is starting to change. Maybe other industries would too, if only someone gave them a push. Could that person be you?
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