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The latest news from VBS.TV regarding Earth Day

Earth Day is coming up, and over here at VBS.tv we like the planet so we are trying to save it.

I wanted to pass you over a piece we are doing on the North Pacific Garbage Patch, I saw a site who picked up our story, also referenced your article. I was hoping maybe we could get a push, like a follow up piece on your article.

At VBS.tv we had read all the articles about this environmental problem but didn't see much in the way of video. So curiosity and the challenge compelled us west to the middle of the Pacific Ocean to show what other people had only been writing about. We go all the way out ( 2 straight days on a sail boat) expecting to see a floating dump, looking for our money shot that will make us famous.

Here's the bad news, there is no money shot. What people don't get is that it's not really a patch and it's not really an island, both of which you might be able to contain and control. No, what we found is much worse. It's like a gigantic toxic stew and it's a big big problem that we need to pay attention to now.

We decided to go against the conventional wisdom that internet video is for those with short attention spans, and are rolling out 12 episodes.

You can go here to view the trailer for Toxic: Garbage Island and follow the series - http://www.vbs.tv/shows/toxic/garbage-island/

TOXIC Garbage Island Part 1 of 12 - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1485308505

Searching out the Pacific Ocean's mythical floating trash heap.

TOXIC Garbage Island Part 2 of 12 - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1485308600

The ORV Alguita casts off for the middle of nowhere.

TOXIC Garbage Island Part 3 of 12 - http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1485308604

The Captain nets a moon jellyfish, nature's plastic bag.

Parts 4 - 12 run through the next two weeks.

SurfGSD gets Green Dragon Level 2 Award lets keep the beach clean

After a fair bit of work to get this standard we are glad to announce that we have been awarded our level 2 award here is Surf GSD Environmental policy, if you have any news or views on Environmental issues relating to surfing please send it through to our blog thanks.... only leave your footsteps on the beach!

nvohk: The first Community managed, surf inspired, Eco friendly clothing company

nvohk™: The First Crowd F(o)unded Eco-Clothing Brand Signs Up 1,250+ Future Members within 2 Months

nvohk™ is The First Community-Managed, Surf-Inspired, Eco-friendly Clothing Company

Los Angeles – February 13, 2008 - Today, nvohk, inc. announces that it has signed up over 1,250 future members interested in developing and managing nvohk™ (pronounced ‘invoke’), the first community-managed, eco-friendly, surf-inspired clothing company. The Company began recruiting members via www.projectnvohk.com on December 4, 2007.

In addition, because of the enthusiastic and positive response from nvohk’s early adopters, the Company is accelerating its member activation target to 5,000 future members. novhk will continue to recruit and activate up to 40,000 members.

“nvohk’s model is about shifting power into the hands of consumers. So after receiving numerous inquiries from people wanting to know how they can get involved immediately, we decided to accelerate the model,” said Brendan T. Lynch, President of nvohk, inc.

nvohk combines the best of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding business models to develop and launch a new lifestyle brand that blends social responsibility and financial performance. nvohk is the first lifestyle brand to give consumers meaningful managerial power.

nvohk is recruiting 5,000+ members to contribute $50 a year to develop and shape the nvohk brand. Membership will be capped at 40,000 members. Members will make major business decisions including logo design, web design, product design, advertising, etc. Members will also receive an exclusive member t-shirt, 35% of nvohk’s net profits in the form of reward points that can be redeemed to purchase products, and 25% off all nvohk products. In addition, nvohk will donate 10% of net profits to environmental organizations selected by its members.

nvohk fills a critical gap in the lifestyle brand arena. nvohk will enable consumers to get involved and participate in business decision-making and environmental causes. It will provide consumers with an entertaining and sustainable platform for making a meaningful and positive impact on the environment by putting members in the driver’s seat and allowing them to drive the nvohk brand to a profitable venture that will contribute 10% of net profits to member selected environmental charities.

“nvohk has proven to have global relevance right out of the gate. With about 40% of future members coming from outside the U.S. to date, nvohk is a great example of how the internet and globalization are changing the business landscape forever,” said Brendan T. Lynch, President of nvohk, inc.

To learn more about nvohk or to become a member, please visit www.projectnvohk.com

About nvohk™

nvohk™ (pronounced ‘invoke’) is the first community-managed, eco-friendly, surf-inspired clothing company. The Company is recruiting, through www.projectnvohk.com, 5,000+ members to contribute $50 a year to develop and shape the nvohk brand. Membership will be capped at 40,000 members.

Co-founded by Brendan T. Lynch and Sergio Salas, nvohk combines the best of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding business models to develop and launch a new lifestyle brand that blends social responsibility and financial performance.

The company is based in Los Angeles, California.

We want clean seas here is a video nasty that involves plastic

Plastic bags often drift in with the tide on Gower and Cornish surfing beaches. Make the polluter pay?

The First Community-Managed, Eco-friendly Clothing Company is now recruiting

nvohk, The First Community-Managed, Eco-friendly Clothing Company is now recruiting members at projectnvohk.com
"nvohk™" Is An Innovative Business Model That Puts Consumers And The Environment In The Forefront

Los Angeles – December 4, 2007 - Today, nvohk, inc. announces that the first community-managed, eco-friendly, surf-inspired clothing company, nvohk™, is now recruiting members via www.projectnvohk.com. nvohk (pronounced ‘invoke’), combines the best of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding business models to develop and launch a new lifestyle brand that blends social responsibility and financial performance.

nvohk is recruiting 20,000 – 40,000 members to contribute $50 a year to develop and shape the nvohk brand. Members will make major business decisions including logo design, web design, product design, advertising, etc. Members will also receive a free member t-shirt, 35% of nvohk’s net profits in the form of reward points that can be redeemed to purchase products, and 25% off all nvohk products. nvohk will donate 10% of net profits to environmental organizations selected by its members.

nvohk fills a critical gap in the lifestyle brand arena. nvohk will enable consumers to get more involved and participate in business decision-making and environmental causes. It will provide consumers with an entertaining and sustainable platform for making a meaningful and positive impact on the environment by putting members in the driver’s seat and allowing them to drive the nvohk brand to a profitable venture that will contribute 10% of net profits to member selected environmental charities.

“Consumers are concerned with the environment and want to be associated with brands that are too. With nvohk, members have the opportunity to make critical decisions that not only affect the direction of the brand, but also make a positive impact on the world around them," said Brendan T. Lynch, President of nvohk, inc.

nvohk is the first lifestyle brand to give consumers a wide array of managerial power.

To learn more about nvohk or to become a member, please visit www.projectnvohk.com
About nvohk™
nvohk™ (pronounced ‘invoke’) is the first community-managed, eco-friendly, surf-inspired clothing company. Through projectnvohk.com, the company is recruiting 20,000 – 40,000 members to contribute $50 a year to develop and shape the nvohk brand.

Co-founded by Brendan T. Lynch and Sergio Salas, nvohk combines the best of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding business models to develop and launch a new lifestyle brand that blends social responsibility and financial performance.

The company is based in Los Angeles, California and sponsored by Trans world surf.

How many times does this have to happen?

Yet again it has happend, and a massive environmental cost is estimated see bbc article for more. Don't forget to join surfers against sewage and get your message out to all we demand 'clean oceans'

A Russian oil tanker has split in half during a severe storm near the Black Sea, spilling around 1,300 tonnes of fuel oil.

A Russian official quoted by the Reuters news agency said it was a "very serious environmental disaster", which would take years to solve. See the whole article on BBC click here 'environmental disaster'

Help Stop the Largest and Cruelest Slaughter of Dolphins in the World!

Acclaimed professional surfer and dolphin defender Dave Rastovich made a bold declaration against the ongoing commercial slaughter of dolphins in Japan by leading an international crew of surfers, musicians, actors and activists in a traditional surfing paddle-out ceremony to honor the memory of the thousands of dolphins killed each year at the notorious killing cove in Taiji Japan.  

Ric O’Barry, Director of the Save Japan Dolphins coalition, is in Taiji continuing to lead effort to educate the Japanese public about the cruelty of the drive fishery and the toxic contamination in dolphin meat being sold in Japan.  For more info please click here and spread the news lets stop this.... Save the dolphins    Also see the latest surf nation blog re: Dolphins click here

Butts, dog shit and plastic on the beach....

There have been numerous blogs, posts, stories in surf mags reporting the state of our beaches as seen not only by us the beach goers but environmental academics. It has been so nice here on Gower surf coast the last two days with sun and small ground swell cleansing the golden sands. In the following pictures, (please click to enlarge you will see the usual suspects),  butts, dog shit,  and plastic. Next time you are on the beach and you see an offender perhaps a word in their shell like about the damage they are causing the environment thorugh their selfish actions may be the go. 

Pict1 butts on the beach, lets ban smoking on the beach? 

pic 2 dog shit piled up at the bottom of the slip at Caswell beach, a few meters away from a group of toddlers happily enjoying digging away in the sand, if you own a dog and it shits on the beach clean it up or expect it to be picked up and thrown at you.

Pic 3 Plastic, plastic the curse of the natural environment. When will we learn and create something as usefull but not so damaging, this bottle had no message in it. No need I guess as the person who left this had a clear message how they conduct their lives..

 

Other surf blog articles on these topics are as follows:   butts on the beach    plastic

 

 

 

 

Let us all ban plastic bags from shops

I recently read that a village in Devon has banned plastic bags from all it's shops including the local co-op.

Several months ago one of my rants pointed out that I had fished a TESCO bag out of the surf zone, dried it out and sent it back to the offenders, I am still awaiting a reply the SAS are running a similar campaign check this link out return to the offender.

I think the two main surfing communities of Newquay and Mumbles should look to follow them. After all we are surfing and fishing communities and we rely on the 'Clean Ocean' for our living.

I have spoken to the Green Dragon officers here in Wales and will also approach COAST in the next few days. Any others out there think we should stop shops using cheap plastic bags?

I found this really cool blog check it out and lets all stop plastic....   click here 'ban plastic bags from shops in particular surf shops'   p.s well done fat face mumbles they are using re-cycled paper!!!

You could also join the Surfers Against Sewage  and help do your part for clean oceans

Please, please only leave your footsteps on the beach

Every morning the radio alarm wakes me with the comfort of news and views courtesy of Radio 4, this morning was the usual rubbish and I am not talking about one of the liars(politicians) talking about their current policies. No, unfortunately it was tangible rubbish on our British beaches that was being reported on. 

Now surf nation  , back in March highlight several campaigns that had been implemented in the badlads of Cornwall, click on article one and then article 2 for more info,   Emma Snowden from the MCS said '..cigarette butts were not a problem when beaches were surveyed in 1994, but were now the eighth most common litter item..'   As you know here in Wales, people can not smoke in pubs anymore, is there any chance that we could ban smoking in 'public places' ie the beaches and perhaps designate a little corner on the promenade for smokers to hang out and perform their filthy habits without impacting on me, my daughter or the rest of the beach visitors and most importantly save the natural beach environment. 

Whilst on the topic of my local beach I am also sad to see this fact as reported by one of todays nationals. Welsh beaches had the highest proportion of litter louts and also had the most litter overall.

The MCS is now calling for a major public education strategy to tackle littering. Emma Snowden, the MCS litter projects co-ordinator, said: “This should be such an easy environmental issue to resolve and yet the message is still not getting across – everyone must take responsibility to bag it and bin it.”    I spend most of my time on various beaches and although the message the MCS is I guess directed at the Local Authorities and their old structures of managing these type of issues. The only way to really stop it is to give beach lifeguards and other officials a 'really big stick', so when people drop fag butts on the beach or other litter they will face the full force of the law.

Of course education should be implemented and this will need to be from junior school age group upwards, included in this education of our society the facts of ignoring the rules should also made quite clear.  I wonder if Mr Blur would have the stomach to do this? Bet he would if George W suggested it.

Ten years time will there be another report stating the dismal facts about us Brits on the beaches, I think so, mainly due to the old guard writing too many strategies and holding meetings that do not produce CLEAN BEACHES, and the sad thing is as the MCS pointed out, ' it should be so easy..'

Britain's beaches are nearly twice as dirty as they were 10 years ago, reveals a new study.

p.s sorry for ranting again, it is just that  when rubbish and liars(politicians) come together my blood pressure starts rising!   It could have been worse if they had of mentioned dog shit not being picked up as well, that is another story. 

Thats that I feel better now, have a good day... Simon

Please visit the following site and support them on their mission http://www.sas.org.uk/