2020 brought unprecedented events, from a global pandemic to civil unrest due to racial injustices and systematic racism. Surfrider’s Plastic Pollution Initiative experienced a renewed sense of commitment and urgency in continuing to fight against plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue, but it’s also a social and racial justice issue, and now more than ever, we need to take concrete steps to address this crisis.
This year, Surfrider’s plastic pollution work consisted of implementing policy campaigns promoting statewide and local single-use plastic bans, leading the development and promotion of a national bill, and defending the use of reusables during a global pandemic based on sound science, among other campaigns and programs. Out of the 62 campaign victories to date in 2020, 25 pertain to plastic pollution.