Check out my latest film "Seventy-One Percent of Earth" - out today on the Natural Resources Defense Council's website!

It's a collaboration with the NRDC on the importance of creating Marine Protected Areas (like national parks on land) to revive our seas, with the help of a group of well-known big wave surfers: Rusty & Greg Long, Grant "Twiggy" Baker, Brian Conley, Frank Solomon and Anthony Tashnick.

All these guys use the ocean as their playground and spend lots of time in the water. They are keenly aware of the ocean environment and see the impact human behavior has on our oceans. Like most of us they are looking for ways to help protect the awesome environment of the ocean. It is easy to feel powerless in the huge challenges we face as humans on earth. But the key is to know that every voice counts. Often I feel my voice is tiny but then my voice combined with all other like-minded voices will create a powerful group of voices turning into one big voice that speaks up for what we believe in. A strong, healthy and clean ocean. With amazing plants and animals on and under the surface of the water. Clean beaches to play on, clean water to swim in. 

We filmed much of it in Northern California - where right now critical decisions are being made regarding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). And you can make a difference in protecting California's ocean and beaches by speaking up.

As I type, a battle is underway to establish a balanced network of MPAs in North Central California without weakening it under pressure from industry special interests. NRDC's MPA experts have been integral in shaping an effective, but balanced plan that would protect the whole ocean food web in about 11% of the state's waters in the region (called the "Preferred Alternative"). The state will make a final decision in August about what these areas will look like - but you can let them know by MAY 4 that you want the "Preferred Alternative" and NRDC's vision for thriving oceans and clean beaches by sending a letter here. (It's important to know you can still dive, swim & surf in Marine Protected Areas - but they protect the wildlife and habitat from harm.)

During the making of the movie it became clear that we were all on the same page, surfers, filmers. We became one crew with a common goal in mind. We had fun traveling the awesome coastline of California. We found waves never surfed before. We woke up to awesome beauty every morning.

One morning after a beautiful full moon night, I saw for the first time in my life the full moon sink into the ocean. It was a magical moment. I never even thought or uttered the word Moondown. But there it was. It heightened my awareness and dedication to the project. I really felt how important it is to fight for our environment, to keep beauty alive. Make it possible for generations to come to enjoy what oceans and nature give us. After all we are life but we are not alone, life is all around us. Balance is key. Fishing can be regulated so that we don't kill all life under the waves. Think about how mountain climbers enjoy Yosemite, a beautiful protected national park where we can enjoy nature and play. That is what we want for our oceans, protected areas where we can surf and swim in a clean and healthy environment. 

You can find more information on MPAs worldwide and why they're important on NRDC's website.