Recent news reports
point to a depressing future for surfers because of global climate
change. Climatologists are forecasting smaller waves in about 25% of the
ocean, including some of the world’s most epic surfing spots. Beaches
are shrinking as well, causing damage to coastal habitats on which some
sea-life depends. The good news is that the world is waking up to the
need for drastic ecological changes and, while some damage is
irreversible, things can and are changing for the better of the
environment. People have become more concerned about recycling and using
products made from low-pollution and recyclable materials. Of course,
the surfing community is leading the way and has become more eco-friendly with the use of green materials to make surfboards.
Surfboards were originally made of wood. Hundreds
of years ago, Polynesians carved boards by hand from trees indigenous to
their habitat. Surfboards with wood blanks are still made, and some
surfers prefer them. They key to making an eco-friendly wood surfboard
is to use wood from sustainable or farm grown trees; like balsa. Balsa
is a strong, hard wood and the trees grow very quickly.
Surfboards are also being made with materials such
as at least 40% recycled or biological based foam known as foam blanks.
Using foam blanks is better for the environment because the recycled
foam used didn’t end up in our landfills or watersheds. It’s also
healthier for surfboard makers, reducing their exposure to toxic
chemicals otherwise used in traditional polyurethane boards.
Each of us must do our part in diminishing the impact of global
warming by reducing our carbon footprint. Every choice we make, from the
surfboard we ride to the snacks we eat can make a difference. At Whale
Tails Tortilla Chips we employ environmentally sound business practices
such as using organic ingredients and degradable packaging. Contact us
for more information about our mission and to find our products.
Remember, if we all make small changes we can make a big and lasting
impact for the better.
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