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Riding the electric wave: Polestar partners with Surfers for Climate

Water. It’s the lifeblood of Earth as we know it and the one resource we can’t live without. Our oceans are showing the strain of climate change, absorbing as much as 90 per cent of global warming in the past few decades. For Josh Kirkman and the team behind Australian charity Surfers for Climate, it was time to turn the tide on climate change.

Every second breath we take comes from the ocean, and because it absorbs the heat, climate change can very much be referred to as ocean change.
Surfers for Climate CEO, Josh Kirkman

Surfers for Climate was established in 2019 and works to educate, inspire, and mobilise surfers to care about climate change, helping them to play a powerful role in implementing climate solutions.

For the surfing community, changing weather and wave patterns, rising sea levels and erosion, and changing underwater ecosystems are daily reminders of changes that are already having a significant impact on our environment.

The sea-swell of surfing support started in response to the Fight for the Bight campaign to stop oil and gas drilling in the waters off the central and western regions of Australia's southern coast, known as the Great Australian Bight. The campaign was a success and Surfers for Climate continues to advocate for an end to fossil fuel projects in Australian oceans by 2028.

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Observing the surf at first light.

Surfers for Climate has continued to grow and evolve with a number of initiatives across Australia now underway. Their PhD program, Wavechanger, helps the surfing community become a champion for change through better practices in their supply chains, with the goal of creating a carbon neutral, waste-free surf industry. The organisation also helps coastal communities embrace renewable energy projects, and advocates for stronger marine protection around Australia. 

Polestar is delighted to partner with Surfers for Climate to help them spread the word across the vast Australian landscape and continue to inspire communities to stand up for climate science and become part of the solution to climate change.

“Our mission is to empower coastal communities to realise that they have a powerful voice, and they can be the leaders of great positive change in this country and globally. We’re grateful to Polestar for supporting our efforts to reach more communities,” added Josh.

Find out more about Surfers for Climate here.

Read about Polestar's sustainability journey here.

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