At this point in time, each and every person in this country has been thoroughly briefed on the possibilities and the dangers posed by global warming. We’ve seen the alarmist scenarios depicted in Hollywood thrillers, complete with human-devouring ice and renegade jet-ski gangs. We’ve watched documentaries narrated by world-renowned personages. We’ve heard apocalyptic predictions, and we’ve heard them ruthlessly disputed by the cynics. We’ve listened to our president stick his foot in his mouth and his head in the sand on the issue. We’ve been inundated with mountains of data and “facts,” cherry picked by either side of a bitter debate. 

Basically, we know about global warming. How could we not? But despite all the bitter debate, alarmist predictions, and rebuttals, the question remains. What do we do?”

For surfers at least, that nagging question is one step closer to resolution thanks to Ventura-based www.GreenSurf.com. “A website?” you may ask. “How can a website possibly help us solve the global warming problem?”  

GreenSurf’s mission statement says it all.  “GreenSurf is a non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding our ocean environments and transforming the surfing industry. GreenSurf recognizes the importance of conscious product consumption and challenges surfers and businesses to use and develop products and services that are environmentally stable.” 

One of the more interesting projects that GreenSurf has developed is the Carbon Free Surfing campaign. In this program you can calculate your environmental impact caused by surf travel on GreenSurf’s website, whether that environmental impact is caused by flying across the globe to chase waves or just driving down to your local break for an afternoon sesh. You can then donate funds to reduce or erase your “carbon footprint.” Funds donated to Carbon Free Surfing can be earmarked for several environmental projects headed by Carbon Free Surfing sponsors, such as reforestation projects, renewable energy development, or environmental education programs. 

Surf industry luminary Kelly Slater recently signed on with Carbon Free Surfing to retroactively erase his carbon footprint from years of constant wave hunting. After some calculating, Slater learned that he had traveled approximately 4 million miles over his surf career, all of which were powered by fossil fuels, creating green house gases. In order to erase this carbon debt Slater donated enough to reforest five acres of land near San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. This astounding act of philanthropy set Slates back $5500, pocket change for the eight-time world champ. 

Slater is now encouraging fellow ASP World Tour competitors to donate and erase their carbon footprints as well. Slater told Surfing magazine that this would “raise some eyebrows around the world and show a responsible group of people working for the greater good of all mankind.” 

Other companies and individuals have donated to Carbon Free Surfing as well. Surfing Magazine recently announced that it would become carbon neutral by donating to erase its carbon footprint. Surfing decided to focus its donations on replanting mangrove swamps in India. Surfrider chapters, shapers and surf shops across the country have also donated to become carbon neutral. 

If you’ve ever felt guilty about all that jet fuel burned, or the gas consumed, due to your endless pursuit of the perfect wave, now there is a simple solution. Just log on to www.greensurf.com, calculate your environmental impact, and donate a few extra bucks for the greater good. Did I mention it’s tax deductible? It’s better than giving your money to the government. Who knows what they’ll buy.