+ Surf for the planet part 2: Project BLUE's Vipe Desai
Like we talked about in our earlier interview with Mike Gass from Reef, surfers are at the leading edge of the movement to save our planet's oceans. Surfers are a pretty laid back bunch for the most part, but when it comes to protecting the oceans, they don't pull any punches. One of the most exciting new initiatives is Project BLUE- Vipe Desai, the brains behind the operation, was kind enough to talk to us about it. Read on to find out what Project BLUE is all about, and how you can contribute, whether you're a surfer or not.
First of all, tell us a little about Project BLUE for people that aren't familiar with it. What are some of the key issues facing our planet's oceans?
Project BLUE is a fundraising initiative that is supported by Billabong, DAKINE, Electric, Nixon, O'Neill and Reef. But unlike other fundraising initiatives we're leveraging popular surf branded products to help channel funds to support the Surfrider Foundation. Both, consumers and retailers will play an equal part with the manufacturer in making a contribution with the purchase of a project BLUE signature product. We just launched the effort in the US this past June and already its been embraced with support from retailers and consumers.
The two key issues facing coastlines is water quality and coastal development. Poor water quality along coasts all of over the world is a result of untreated "urban runoff" or drainage from agricultural operations that flows untreated to the ocean.
Coastal development has and will continue to impact our coastlines as more and more structures are built along our coasts in turn effecting erosion, water quality and natural nourishment of the sand. We've been seeing the effects of improper shoreline development for a number of years yet developers continue to plan irresponsibly.
As soon as its in our face we're trying to get our head around solutions and things we can take action on. That's why we are clear in our statement that we're not a charity but a plan of action. Enough talking, lets get to work and make the changes we want to see.
We're talking about energy right now on The Greener Grass. How does humanity's growing energy consumption affect our oceans?
Energy is a big contributor of the environmental issues we're facing in the world today. Everything we make has to be heated or cooled and we still have to ship it and further transport it to its final destination. The research behind Global Warming has established that we're a society that's reliant on fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas, gasoline) and that polluting and non-sustainable practices will have serious long-term repercussions that include rising sea levels, acidification of the oceans, stronger and more frequent storms for our planet. These changes will have the most impact along our coasts.
I really liked the Project BLUE tagline: "It's not a charity, it's a plan of action." Can you explain exactly what that means? Why is it so important that people understand it's not just another charity?
Charity is mature subject matter. Until we are directly facing a crisis, environmental, health, etc, we're oblivious to it. As soon as its in our face we're trying to get our head around solutions and things we can take action on. That's why we are clear in our statement that we're not a charity but a plan of action. Enough talking, lets get to work and make the changes we want to see.
Coming from the world of action sports, you know how important authenticity is to our generation. How can sustainability initiatives show that they're the real deal?
First, you have to find a common concern and/or interest. Project BLUE is the real deal in that it is geared towards surfers, surf shops, and surf related manufacturers. All 3 groups have a direct interest in the health of our oceans. By partnering with core brands, surf shops and surfers, we share a common concern and interest in the health of our oceans and the products that make up the project BLUE collection will play host to supporting coastal environmental initiatives.
Surfers have been involved in ocean-rescue projects for a while now, going to back to the Surfrider Foundation back in the 80s, with widespread industry support. What makes surfers so willing to get involved?
Surfers are a unique group of global citizens. We may be from different countries and have different views at times but put us in the water and we'll trade waves and build upon that stoke we get from surfing. Over the years I've seen the surfers tackle environmental and humanitarian issues head on. When it comes to the ocean, we're so connected that its a natural feeling to want to get involved and do something.
One of the really cool things about Project BLUE is that it lets people make a difference by buying gear that's already a part of their lifestyle- you're not asking them to make any sacrifices. How can environmental initiatives make a difference without scaring people off by asking them to give up their lifestyle?
Totally. We're not asking people to consume more. More importantly we're asking them to upgrade their already planned purchase to a project BLUE product. This is a low-friction ask. Not everyone wants to do a beach clean up but this is an easy and permission based way to introduce consumers to environmental issues plaguing our coasts and then open a dialogue with them to get involved with Surfrider Foundation at their local level. I think we can all do something that will have a positive impact on our oceans and we cant ask people to do a million things. We have to give them options on how to plug in and participate on the path to a better future. If everyone just did a few things and did them very well then we'll see some changes quickly.
Can you tell us some of the partners that Project BLUE is working with? How do you choose partners, and what have you learned from working with them so far?
We are working with the best brands in the industry and they include Billabong, DAKINE, Electric, Nixon, O'Neill and Reef. When this initiative was coming together I made a list of the "dream team". The fact that everyone on my dream team said yes at the first meeting was a sign that we were onto something really big.
Our partners and their staff have been amazing to work with and have invested so much time and energy into this initiative. It truly has been a team effort.
What's next for Project BLUE? How can people get involved?
Well first off, project BLUE has exceeded all of my expectations in the first year. Our partners met or exceed their first year projections by up to 400%! Right now we're focused on managing our growth and expansion strategy to keep up with consumer interest and retail support. We're also going to
focus on ramping up our efforts globally with our partners.
We did a soft launch with Australia in September and now we need to leverage the energy and excitement that we're experiencing down there. The retailers are welcoming the initiative and the real clincher is that consumers are emailing us daily as to when will products be available in their part of the world.
Check out the Project BLUE website
First of all, tell us a little about Project BLUE for people that aren't familiar with it. What are some of the key issues facing our planet's oceans?
Project BLUE is a fundraising initiative that is supported by Billabong, DAKINE, Electric, Nixon, O'Neill and Reef. But unlike other fundraising initiatives we're leveraging popular surf branded products to help channel funds to support the Surfrider Foundation. Both, consumers and retailers will play an equal part with the manufacturer in making a contribution with the purchase of a project BLUE signature product. We just launched the effort in the US this past June and already its been embraced with support from retailers and consumers.
The two key issues facing coastlines is water quality and coastal development. Poor water quality along coasts all of over the world is a result of untreated "urban runoff" or drainage from agricultural operations that flows untreated to the ocean.
Coastal development has and will continue to impact our coastlines as more and more structures are built along our coasts in turn effecting erosion, water quality and natural nourishment of the sand. We've been seeing the effects of improper shoreline development for a number of years yet developers continue to plan irresponsibly.
As soon as its in our face we're trying to get our head around solutions and things we can take action on. That's why we are clear in our statement that we're not a charity but a plan of action. Enough talking, lets get to work and make the changes we want to see.
We're talking about energy right now on The Greener Grass. How does humanity's growing energy consumption affect our oceans?
Energy is a big contributor of the environmental issues we're facing in the world today. Everything we make has to be heated or cooled and we still have to ship it and further transport it to its final destination. The research behind Global Warming has established that we're a society that's reliant on fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas, gasoline) and that polluting and non-sustainable practices will have serious long-term repercussions that include rising sea levels, acidification of the oceans, stronger and more frequent storms for our planet. These changes will have the most impact along our coasts.
I really liked the Project BLUE tagline: "It's not a charity, it's a plan of action." Can you explain exactly what that means? Why is it so important that people understand it's not just another charity?
Charity is mature subject matter. Until we are directly facing a crisis, environmental, health, etc, we're oblivious to it. As soon as its in our face we're trying to get our head around solutions and things we can take action on. That's why we are clear in our statement that we're not a charity but a plan of action. Enough talking, lets get to work and make the changes we want to see.
Coming from the world of action sports, you know how important authenticity is to our generation. How can sustainability initiatives show that they're the real deal?
First, you have to find a common concern and/or interest. Project BLUE is the real deal in that it is geared towards surfers, surf shops, and surf related manufacturers. All 3 groups have a direct interest in the health of our oceans. By partnering with core brands, surf shops and surfers, we share a common concern and interest in the health of our oceans and the products that make up the project BLUE collection will play host to supporting coastal environmental initiatives.
Surfers have been involved in ocean-rescue projects for a while now, going to back to the Surfrider Foundation back in the 80s, with widespread industry support. What makes surfers so willing to get involved?
Surfers are a unique group of global citizens. We may be from different countries and have different views at times but put us in the water and we'll trade waves and build upon that stoke we get from surfing. Over the years I've seen the surfers tackle environmental and humanitarian issues head on. When it comes to the ocean, we're so connected that its a natural feeling to want to get involved and do something.
We are working with the best brands in the industry and they include Billabong, DAKINE, Electric, Nixon, O'Neill and Reef. When this initiative was coming together I made a list of the "dream team". The fact that everyone on my dream team said yes at the first meeting was a sign that we were onto something really big.
One of the really cool things about Project BLUE is that it lets people make a difference by buying gear that's already a part of their lifestyle- you're not asking them to make any sacrifices. How can environmental initiatives make a difference without scaring people off by asking them to give up their lifestyle?
Totally. We're not asking people to consume more. More importantly we're asking them to upgrade their already planned purchase to a project BLUE product. This is a low-friction ask. Not everyone wants to do a beach clean up but this is an easy and permission based way to introduce consumers to environmental issues plaguing our coasts and then open a dialogue with them to get involved with Surfrider Foundation at their local level. I think we can all do something that will have a positive impact on our oceans and we cant ask people to do a million things. We have to give them options on how to plug in and participate on the path to a better future. If everyone just did a few things and did them very well then we'll see some changes quickly.
Can you tell us some of the partners that Project BLUE is working with? How do you choose partners, and what have you learned from working with them so far?
We are working with the best brands in the industry and they include Billabong, DAKINE, Electric, Nixon, O'Neill and Reef. When this initiative was coming together I made a list of the "dream team". The fact that everyone on my dream team said yes at the first meeting was a sign that we were onto something really big.
Our partners and their staff have been amazing to work with and have invested so much time and energy into this initiative. It truly has been a team effort.
What's next for Project BLUE? How can people get involved?
Well first off, project BLUE has exceeded all of my expectations in the first year. Our partners met or exceed their first year projections by up to 400%! Right now we're focused on managing our growth and expansion strategy to keep up with consumer interest and retail support. We're also going to
focus on ramping up our efforts globally with our partners.
We did a soft launch with Australia in September and now we need to leverage the energy and excitement that we're experiencing down there. The retailers are welcoming the initiative and the real clincher is that consumers are emailing us daily as to when will products be available in their part of the world.
Check out the Project BLUE website
Labels: Energy, Interviews
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posted by Finn McKenty on Tuesday, December 18, 2007
