Beginning on Main Street and extending to every corner of coastline across the globe, The World Surf League is launching its “30X30” campaign, calling on world leaders to take drastic and immediate action to preserve the ocean.
The goal is simple: protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. The solution is much harder — so the WSL team is tackling it on many fronts.
The campaign is partnering with over 60 non-governmental organizations and mobilizing a global community to sign the ‘We Are One Ocean’ petition urging United Nations members to adopt the 30x30 biodiversity targets at the upcoming UN Convention.
They are simultaneously pressuring US conservation departments to enact 30 percent protection policies on federal and state waters, which the Biden administration signed on to in a Jan. 27 executive order.
“The science says we need to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 or we risk the loss of critical biodiversity that supports all life on this planet,” said Reece Pacheco, SVP Ocean Responsibility, WSL. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect critical ocean habitat and biodiversity for generations to come.”
New global conservation targets are scheduled to be set at the 2021 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in May. Following their adoption, world governments will work with non-profit and indigenous group partners to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) around biodiversity hotspots.
“MPAs are a proven solution that reduce stress on fish stocks, and build resilience in critical habitat,” said Pacheco. “Protecting important areas—like coral reefs, seagrass beds, or the breeding areas of endangered species and fish we rely on for food—will allow the ocean to continue to sustain us and help everything living in it adapt better to climate change.”
Members of the public are encouraged to sign the petition at weareoneocean.org, and follow the instructions to reach out to their UN ambassador, and if they are a US citizen, their state governor.
In order to ramp up campaign support and awareness of the upcoming convention, the World Surf League is hosting a series of online events, including a conversation with writer Siraad Dirshe and Leah Thomas, founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, and a charcoal wave drawing lesson with Championship Tour surfer Courtney Conlogue.
On Tuesday the WSL is launching a virtual series sharing the stories of six famous surfers, scientists, and environmentalists, who will explain their connection to the ocean and motivation for signing the petition. Reigning WSL champion Italo Ferreira is an outspoken supporter of the campaign and will be sharing his journey and deep love of the ocean.
While these events will be streamed to surfers and environmentalists across the globe, many of these programs are organized right from Santa Monica, where the World Surf League is headquartered.
“It’s great to be part of a community with shared values, and a respect for our planet,” said Pacheco. “Whether it’s progressive legislation on single-use plastic, or collaboration with great local organizations like Heal The Bay and Surfrider Foundation LA, we appreciate being able to learn from and work with the community toward keeping Santa Monica so beautiful.”
Clara@smdp.com
