San Clemente, CA, October 23, 2019 – Vissla and the Surfrider Foundation have debuted a new wetsuit design that they never want to make a reality. Developed to raise awareness of the massive risks of climate change and pollution to our oceans and coastlines, the Rising Seas wetsuit is an urgent call to all coastal enthusiasts to demand climate action from our nation’s leaders. Supporters are asked to sign an action alert that will be sent directly to elected officials and hand-delivered to Congress.
“The stakes are high and this wetsuit is our reality unless we act now,” said Surfrider’s Marketing Director, Eddie Anaya. “Our waterways are being polluted with toxic sewage, runoff and plastics. Sea levels are rising and threatening our beaches. The Rising Seas wetsuit concept is a stark glimpse into what every surfer and coastal enthusiast faces if we don’t take immediate action to address climate change impacts and pollution. Together with Vissla, we’re calling on everyone who cares about the ocean and coasts to let their voices be heard and demand action from elected officials to protect our ocean, waves and beaches for the future.”
Clean water and healthy beaches are critical to the nation’s coastal economies, communities, and recreation industries. In fact, coastal recreation and tourism constitute about 2.4 million jobs and contribute more than $124 billion to the U.S. economy every year. However, the ocean and coasts are increasingly at risk from plastic and water pollution, offshore oil drilling, ocean acidification and rising sea levels. Pollution at recreational beaches costs the U.S. economy more than $2.2 billion and results in 20,000 health advisories annually. Melting land ice and glaciers are causing sea levels to rise at an accelerated rate, altering ocean circulation and changing the ocean’s chemistry.
“The Rising Seas Wetsuit project is a sobering reality check that we all have to engage in and take a stand to reverse the environmental decline of our oceans, waves and beaches,” said Vissla’s CEO, Paul Naude. “The thought that we may need this conceptual wetsuit in the future is frightening. We hope the message here stimulates a call to action for everyone to get actively involved in demanding that governments –– local, state and national –– take urgent steps to address the environmental issues at hand. We’re asking everyone who cares about a healthy planet to help us to never have to produce this wetsuit.”
The Surfrider Foundation and Vissla are calling on the public to make their voices heard and join Surfrider’s virtual march on Washington, D.C. to urge federal leaders to take action on coastal protection issues. Signatures from Surfrider’s action alert will be sent immediately to congressional representatives and then hand-delivered to Congress by Surfrider and recreation industry representatives during the upcoming Coastal Recreation Hill Day.
The innovative Rising Seas concept was developed by veteran creative directors Scott Brown and Alex Kemp, owners of the underground surf shop Lone Wolfs Objets d’Surf. Alex’s music company, Wolf at the Door, produced the video, soundtrack and SFX. Co-produced by Enich Harris.
To find out more, visit risingseas.vissla.com and take action now at surfrider.org.
100506-N-6070S-819 Gulf of Mexico (May 6, 2010) — Dark clouds of smoke and fire emerge as oil burns during a controlled fire in the Gulf of Mexico. The U.S. Coast Guard working in partnership with BP PLC, local residents, and other federal agencies conducted the “in situ burn” to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stumberg/Released)
