The Surfrider Podcast
The Surfrider Podcast
Podcast Description
The Surfrider Podcast dives beneath the surface of today's most pressing coastal environmental issues. Each episode takes you beyond the headlines to explore the compelling stories behind Surfrider’s mission to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches — from the plague of plastic pollution to the coastal impacts of climate change. Join us as we spotlight the extraordinary people who power Surfrider’s environmental work: dedicated volunteers making a difference in their communities, passionate advocates fighting for policy change, and everyone in between who's making waves to protect our ocean. Listen now to discover the deeper currents of change at work at the Surfrider Foundation, and learn more about how you can get involved at www.surfrider.org
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on key topics in coastal environmentalism, including plastic pollution, climate change impacts, and community activism. For example, episodes cover critical issues like the Tijuana River sewage crisis affecting San Diego and highlight initiatives such as Surfrider's Clean Border Water Now program, providing listeners with concrete examples of environmental advocacy and community-driven solutions.
The Surfrider Podcast dives beneath the surface of today’s most pressing coastal environmental issues. Each episode takes you beyond the headlines to explore the compelling stories behind Surfrider’s mission to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches — from the plague of plastic pollution to the coastal impacts of climate change. Join us as we spotlight the extraordinary people who power Surfrider’s environmental work: dedicated volunteers making a difference in their communities, passionate advocates fighting for policy change, and everyone in between who’s making waves to protect our ocean. Listen now to discover the deeper currents of change at work at the Surfrider Foundation, and learn more about how you can get involved at www.surfrider.org
Despite federal environmental rollbacks and budget cuts to NOAA and EPA, the Surfrider Foundation secured more than 40 coastal victories in 2025 — proving that grassroots activism and community-level action can still deliver real results for ocean protection. CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen and senior staff Emma Haydocy and Miho Ligare reflect on groundbreaking wins, including the completion of the 30-year Surfers Point coastal adaptation project and the Climate Action Program’s restoration of 20+ acres of coastal habitat with the help of over 2,000 volunteers. The team also shares how Ocean Friendly Restaurants served 42 million single-use plastic-free meals, and Surfrider brought the plastics crisis to international negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland.
But 2026 brings urgent new threats. The Trump administration is proposing to open the coasts of California, Florida, and Alaska to new offshore drilling — sparking bipartisan opposition from coastal communities across the country. With federal protections crumbling and a January 23, 2026, public comment deadline looming, this episode breaks down what’s at stake and how you can take action at surfrider.org. Whether you’re concerned about beach erosion, plastic pollution, water quality, or climate change impacts on your favorite coastline, discover how Surfrider’s network of volunteers, chapters, and policy experts is protecting the beaches you love — and how you can join the movement.
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Disclaimer
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