FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN TAKING FROM AND GIVING BACK TO NATURE
Clean and Climb 2021 is a project where climbers take action to fight the marine litter infiltrating our seas. The aim of the project is to demonstrate the connection between our mountains and our oceans – as parts of the same ecosystem – and the people who choose to take responsibility for caring and protecting them. There is no better place to feel the connection between the rocky and watery realms than in Lofoten, where sharp mountains plunge directly into the depths of the sea.
Why did we create this project?
BECAUSE we feel the urgent need for more people to get actively involved in the plastic pollution issue.
BECAUSE climbing is a sport where you are in constant and immediate connection with the environment around you.
BECAUSE sailing is a sustainable way of exploring remote cleaning areas and unclimbed routes that are only accessible by sea.
What are we going to do?
We are going to sail around Lofoten during the whole month of July (1st to 31st) with photographers, film makers and local climbers on board, alternating trad climbing and beach cleaning.
During this time, we will also invite locals and people visiting the area to join us and collaborate in the project. The garbage collected will be handled by the local company “Clean-Up Lofoten”.
How will we do it?
We are going to make this project happen thanks to:
1. Makaira II, our sailboat and floating home.
2. Our experience in coordinating beach cleaning projects with volunteers.
3. The help and support of “Clean-Up Lofoten” and “RenKyst” with the clean-up material, advice and logistics.
4. David Gonzalez (Buendia Media), Sigurd Pedersen and András Meszey as our media team.
5. The energy and devotion of many friends, who are excited to jump on board, clean and climb.
The importance of giving back to nature
The greatest value of our actions is that they inspire
Minimalism is our chosen lifestyle
The spirit of climbing can bring big changes
Embracing the imperfection and focusing on improvement
Nature provides us with fresh air, clean water and food. In return we exploit its resources to the limit to sustain our consumerist lifestyle and give back polluted air and water. Picking plastic from beaches is our way to give back to nature just a small percentage of what it gives us.
As we pick up more and more plastic from countless beaches, we come to the realization that the magnitude of the plastic problem in the oceans is bigger than we imagined and that we cannot fix it alone. It requires the common effort of all human beings to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated. Therefore, we hope that every beach we clean may inspire at least one more person, to take part in this fight too.
Spending many days each year in a sailboat or van, with very limited space, shows you the difference between what you need and what you want. It teaches you to be conscious of the material possessions you choose to have and the time they take up in your life.
The climbing community has a lot to give to humanity in terms of unity, collaboration, mutual support. Values that are required for global changes to happen. Besides, climbers are people who live in constant contact with nature and tend to take really good care of it instinctively.
Any climber knows very well that perfection is impossible to accomplish, but improvement is what keeps us motivated to take on new challenges and move forward. Consistency in our routines, subtle changes in our habits and being reasonable with our expectations are necessary for our progress in climbing, as well as for the protection of nature.
