Protect Our Winters (POW) and the Surfrider Foundation have teamed up in the lead-up to the 2024 election. While each nonprofit focuses on different phases of the hydrologic cycle—snow for POW and ocean waters for Surfrider—we share a unified goal: environmental activism for a better planet. POW founder Jeremy Jones and Surfrider CEO Chad Nelsen recently came together to discuss the importance of voting in the upcoming election.
“Whether you’re a snowboarder, surfer, or outdoor recreationalist, there are simple ways to get involved,” says Nelsen. “We need everyone to solve this problem.”
These longtime friends share the goal of mobilizing the ocean and mountain communities to take action and vote in this upcoming election.
Professional snowboarder & POW founder Jeremy Jones
What’s the POW-Surfrider Connection?
Jeremy Jones founded Protect Our Winters (POW) in 2007 to mobilize the “Outdoor State” in the fight against climate change. But his commitment to environmental activism started long before. As Jones recalls, “The first environmental action I ever took was as a 14-year-old kid who wrote a check to the Surfrider Foundation.” A passionate surfer, Jones credits his early involvement with Surfrider for inspiring him to launch POW. Today, POW unites athletes, scientists, and creatives (known as the POW Alliance) to push for climate legislation and solutions to solve the climate crisis.
Chad Nelsen of the Surfrider Foundation has dedicated 26 years to the grassroots coastal conservation organization, championing clean water and healthy beaches. Surfrider’s mission is driven by a deep connection to the ocean. “People love these places,” says Nelsen, “They love their community, they love surfing, and they love the ocean. So let’s turn that passion into conservation and give them the tools and resources to make a difference.”
Athlete advocacy is at the root of both organizations. Jones says, “Who better to raise awareness than surfers who have spent more time in the ocean and reading the ocean, to say, 'Wow, things are changing.’” Jones adds, “Naturally, that’s why you often hear from the surfers, skiers, snowboarders, or mountain climbers, because we’re out there more than anyone, and as we see these changes, we’re speaking up about them.”
Surfrider Foundation CEO Chad Nelsen
Get Out and Vote in This Election
Surfrider and POW agree that this is the most crucial election of our lifetime. Voting is the most powerful tool for driving meaningful action.
Reflecting on POW’s early days, Jones recalls a time when the focus was on individual actions like “riding your bike, changing light bulbs, and using reusable bags.” However, he soon realized that those efforts alone weren’t enough. “The scientists told us, ‘That won’t solve the climate crisis we’re in. We need policy to bring about the large-scale systemic changes needed to reduce CO2 emissions.’” In short, we need to shift how we produce and use energy, and that requires legislative change.
Nelsen nods in agreement, “We’re in a race,” he says. “This is not something we can take our time with—the trajectory of warming is too steep.
Voting is Vital at Every Level—State, Local, and Federal
If it feels like you’re hearing the call to vote from every direction, Jones explains why: “The biggest political party in the U.S. is the ‘did not vote’ party. That’s why we’re constantly pushing the importance of voting.”
“Your vote matters,” says Nelsen, “It’s the one opportunity we have to influence the system, and it gives us a lot of power if we choose to use it.” If we don’t, we’re essentially handing over control of our future.
How To Make a Difference
A common mantra at both POW and Surfrider is “Friends don’t let friends not vote.” This connects to the concept of vote tripling. Chad Nelsen explains: “It’s really just about getting your buddies out there to vote. It’s an easy way to participate—try to get three of your friends to cast their ballots. Peer pressure works.”
Another simple way to get out the vote is by discussing the issues that matter most to you. “Being with people and having those conversations is a great way to break through,” says Nelsen. “It’s much more effective than these other tools that seem to push us to extremes.”
Nelsen also highlights the shared values we all can agree on: “Clean water, clean air, abundant energy—sustainable, healthy food. Snow in the mountains, coral reefs, and good waves. I think that’s what we all want. There’s a lot of fear being stoked around the issue and the changes it's going to require, and that’s intentional. But if we start making these changes, I believe we’ll see a really positive future. That’s part of the motivation.”
Jones shares Nelsen’s optimism: “My positivity comes from the fact that we absolutely have the solutions, and they create a ton of jobs. That’s why I’m hopeful we’ll rise to this crisis, bringing our best scientists and everyone else to lean in on it.”
At the core of this is a belief in the power of democracy. “Fundamental to being an American is our democracy, and it only works if you participate in it,” Nelsen says.
The first step in that participation is to vote.
Protect Our Winters (POW) and the Surfrider Foundation have collaborated in the lead-up to the 2024 election. While each nonprofit focuses on different phases of the hydrologic cycle—snow for POW and ocean waters for Surfrider—we share a unified goal: environmental activism for a better planet. POW founder Jeremy Jones and Surfrider CEO Chad Nelsen recently came together to discuss the importance of voting in the upcoming election.
“Whether you’re a snowboarder, surfer, or outdoor recreationalist, there are simple ways to get involved,” says Nelsen. “We need everyone to solve this problem.”
These longtime friends share the goal of mobilizing the ocean and mountain communities to take action and vote in this upcoming election.
Professional snowboarder & POW founder Jeremy Jones
What’s the POW-Surfrider Connection?
Jeremy Jones founded Protect Our Winters (POW) in 2007 to mobilize the “Outdoor State” in the fight against climate change. But his commitment to environmental activism started long before. As Jones recalls, “The first environmental action I ever took was as a 14-year-old kid who wrote a check to the Surfrider Foundation.” A passionate surfer, Jones credits his early involvement with Surfrider for inspiring him to launch POW. Today, POW unites athletes, scientists, and creatives (known as the POW Alliance) to push for climate legislation and solutions to solve the climate crisis.
Chad Nelsen of the Surfrider Foundation has dedicated 26 years to the grassroots coastal conservation organization, championing clean water and healthy beaches. Surfrider’s mission is driven by a deep connection to the ocean. “People love these places,” says Nelsen. “They love their community, they love surfing, and they love the ocean. So let’s turn that passion into conservation and give them the tools and resources to make a difference.”
Athlete advocacy is at the root of both organizations. Jones says, “Who better to raise awareness than surfers who have spent more time in the ocean and reading the ocean, to say, 'Wow, things are changing.’” Jones adds, “Naturally, that’s why you often hear from the surfers, skiers, snowboarders, or mountain climbers, because we’re out there more than anyone, and as we see these changes, we’re speaking up about them.”
Surfrider Foundation CEO Chad Nelsen
Get Out and Vote in This Election
Surfrider and POW agree that this is the most crucial election of our lifetime. Voting is the most powerful tool for driving meaningful action.
Reflecting on POW’s early days, Jones recalls a time when the focus was on individual actions like “riding your bike, changing light bulbs, and using reusable bags.” However, he soon realized that those efforts alone weren’t enough. “The scientists told us, ‘That won’t solve the climate crisis we’re in. We need policy to bring about the large-scale systemic changes needed to reduce CO2 emissions.’” In short, we need to shift how we produce and use energy, and that requires legislative change.
Nelsen nods in agreement, “We’re in a race,” he says. “This is not something we can take our time with—the trajectory of warming is too steep.
Voting is Vital at Every Level—State, Local, and Federal
If it feels like you’re hearing the call to vote from every direction, Jones explains why: “The biggest political party in the U.S. is the ‘did not vote’ party. That’s why we’re constantly pushing the importance of voting.”
“Your vote matters,” says Nelsen, “It’s the one opportunity we have to influence the system, and it gives us a lot of power if we choose to use it.” If we don’t, we’re essentially handing over control of our future.
How To Make a Difference
A common mantra at both POW and Surfrider is “Friends don’t let friends not vote.” This connects to the concept of vote tripling. Chad Nelsen explains: “It’s really just about getting your buddies out there to vote. It’s an easy way to participate—try to get three of your friends to cast their ballots. Peer pressure works.”
Another simple way to get out the vote is by discussing the issues that matter most to you. “Being with people and having those conversations is a great way to break through,” says Nelsen. “It’s much more effective than these other tools that seem to push us to extremes.”
Nelsen also highlights the shared values we all can agree on: “Clean water, clean air, abundant energy—sustainable, healthy food. Snow in the mountains, coral reefs, and good waves. I think that’s what we all want. There’s a lot of fear being stoked around the issue and the changes it's going to require, and that’s intentional. But if we start making these changes, I believe we’ll see a really positive future. That’s part of the motivation.”
Jones shares Nelsen’s optimism: “My positivity comes from the fact that we absolutely have the solutions, and they create a ton of jobs. That’s why I’m hopeful we’ll rise to this crisis, bringing our best scientists and everyone else to lean in on it.”
At the core of this is a belief in the power of democracy. “Fundamental to being an American is our democracy, and it only works if you participate in it,” Nelsen says.
The first step in that participation is to vote.