For 2021 we are adding a new positive impact campaign to our list of environmental efforts: 30×30.
We will be working alongside water sports heavyweights and ocean lovers all over the world to call upon world leaders to protect 30 percent of our shared oceans by 2030.
What Is 30×30?
30×30 Starboard’s Latest Eco Mission -2
30×30 is the international target of fully protecting at least 30 percent of the global ocean by 2030, and strengthening conservation of the remaining 70 percent.
As a member of the We Are One Ocean coalition we are collaborating with other international watersports organisations including the World Surf League, PADI, International Kitesurfing Organisation and many others to get this target adopted at the 2021 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Why Is 30×30 So Important?
Our ocean absorbs more than 90 percent of the excess heat and one-quarter of the carbon dioxide (CO2) humans have generated by burning fossil fuels. It helps to shield the planet from the worst of climate change. But we are now beginning to understand that this protection comes at a huge cost.
Our oceans are now warmer than at any time since we began measuring them, they are the most acidic they have been in the last 14 million years, and they are providing us with less oxygen. These changes are affecting life throughout our oceans, from microscopic plankton and key fisheries, to the largest ocean mammals.
The most important thing we can do for our ocean, besides cutting CO2 emissions, is to significantly reduce other major stressors. This includes overfishing, offshore oil development, seabed mining and habitat destruction. Creating Marine Protected areas across our global, shared ocean is the key to reducing these stresses.
Just as a healthy person is better able to withstand injury than a sick one, a healthy, resilient ocean will be better able to cope with climate-related changes than one facing a slew of other pressures from human industrial activity.
Making 30×30 Happen
There are two paths that we can all follow to help ensure 30×30 is adopted at the 2021 CBD.
1. Collecting Petition Signatures
We Are One Ocean have set up this petition urging governments to advocate for 30×30. The more signatures we can collect, the greater our impact will be at the CBD. So let’s get signing and sharing!
By signing the petition you are adding your name to the following letter alongside millions of other ocean advocates all over the world.
To: National Governments worldwide
From: [Your Name]
As surfers, swimmers, sailors, divers, and ocean lovers, the sea is more than just our favorite place to play. The ocean is our office, our playground, and our place of worship. The ocean, its waves and beaches, its reefs and wrecks, puts smiles on our faces and meals on our tables. It provides jobs, controls our climate, and produces the oxygen in every other breath we take.
Truly, our greatest resource and connector is our one shared ocean. We urge you to do everything in your power to secure adoption of an international target that fully protects at least 30 percent of the global ocean by 2030, and strengthens conservation of the remaining 70 percent.
This protection is imperative in the face of threats from all around the globe, and it is an incredible opportunity to boost and support the very solutions we need for a healthier ocean and planet, for us and future generations.
Please support the adoption of the target to fully and highly protect 30 percent of our shared, global ocean by 2030.
Thank you, for protecting the big blue beating heart of our planet by supporting 30×30.
2. Contacting Influential Individuals
Once you have signed the petition you can go one step further by contacting your UN ambassador or (if you’re a US Citizen) your governor.
If you would like more information on whether your country’s government are fighting for 30×30 or trying to block it, you can email our Environmental Projects Coordinator, Lizzy, at lizzy@star-board.com!
Our Plan
At Starboard we have a 3 part plan for making 30×30 happen, we want to share it with you so that you can use it, copy it and adapt it to suit yourself or your organisation.
Activate Our Network
We want to educate everyone we work with about 30×30. Our team riders Ocean Ambassadors, partners for the ocean, suppliers, distributors, and of course our entire community.
Spread The Word
We will try to reach people who are outside our direct network by promoting 30×30 online and at the Windsurf and SUP events we support.
Influence Change Makers
Finally, we are striving to directly contact change-makers in many of the countries we distribute our equipment to, to show them the importance of the 30×30 target.
