Chilean Celebrities Against Coal

Salvemos Punta de Choros from Ladislao Palma on Vimeo.
This short film features various Chilean celebrities speaking out against a series of coal power plants planned for construction in coastal Chile that threaten nearby nature reserves. It's about time the Chilean mass media hypes this, we've been doing it for years.

Chile Photo Update: August

Our Chile earthquake relief field team met up with the big-hearted surf/snow athletes at YES to rebuild in the earthquake zone. Below are a few photos by Phil Tifo of the relief team in action, building a greenhouse as part of our sustainable gardens program. Full Chile update and more photos coming soon! Photos are from last week, Región del Bío Bió, Chile: 

Greenhouse construction by YES & Save The Waves. 

Coastal Chile is so scenic and raw. 

YES & Save The Waves Chile teams. 

All photos this post (c) by Phil Tifo: www.tifophotographik.com 

Fuerza Chile! Tee Shirt Sale for Chile Relief

Fletcher Chouinard Designs and Save The Waves team up to produce this new benefit T shirt for Chile. 

$5 from the sale of each T shirt is donated to STW Chile Relief Fund to benefit rebuilding, educational grants and beach cleanups in the coastal regions devastated by the February 27 earthquake and tsunami in Chile. 

>> View the T shirt and purchase online here at FCD. 

Fuerza Chile! T shirt for Chile relief fund.
>> Buy here. 

(Hot T shirt model is not included in sale.) 

Environmentalism: Essay

Several essays that I wrote for "Protect Your Break" - the 2010 Patagonia Surf catalogs - are now published online. You can read them at this Patagonia.com link <<< 

This is a collection of essays that I penned about surf spots threatened by harbor construction in Australia, heavy industry in Chile, real estate in Florida and coastal roads in Orange County.
> Read em here and enjoy. 

Monday is for Locals Only

This is the best beach skit ever.

"Woah, woah, woah, woah, 'T' where do you think you're goin' huh? This spot is for locals only."

~ Rad hairy bearded local in the above flick.

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"So what are we waiting for? Instead of glowering at our fellow surfers in the line-up, let's rally around some causes that need our support and start changing things."

~ Gerry Lopez in "Crowd Power" (printed in the 2010 Patagonia Surf Catalog)

Clean Coal Is Still a Dirty Lie

Last week, Chile's Supreme Court approved the Los Robles Coal Power Plant in coastal Chile's pristine and remote southern Maule Region. This is a legal fight that we've been working on closely with the Maule Itata Coastkeeper, FIMA and Waterkeeper Alliance for nearly 2 years. This is not good news for the terrestrial and coastal environments of the area, but I am very proud that we took it all the way to the Chilean Supreme Court. The issue is far from over, and local activists are refusing to roll over and are reconsidering all options to ensure victory for the environment and the community's health. Stay tuned.

Clean coal is a dirty lie. The Dirty Lie website has excellent short films (including two films by Save The Waves) and comprehensive information about coal mining, global warming and solutions.

Above image from the Patagonia Surf eCatalog: Santos Del Mar big wave surf spot is located just offshore of the proposed site for the Los Robles Coal Power Plant. Click on the photo to view in large format and read additional information about the coal plant.