SURFING SOAPBOX: ‘Green’ honorees deserve recognition

While out of town last week, I was green with envy, reading the Coastline Pilot and more than pleased to see that our town had recognized some great individuals for their stellar “green” contributions to our town and environment.

I first met Arnold Hano from my time on the environmental committee. Hano was only on our committee for a short time but his legacy and spirit continued on with us.

Tom Osborne, whom I also first met while a member of the same committee, is a first-rate dedicated environmentalist, always available and ready to lend a helping hand to our committee and its members.

I have never met Charles Michael Murray, but I have heard plenty of “green” comments about him and his dedication toward preserving our environment.

It’s great to see these individuals being honored for work that is nothing short of heartfelt passion for the betterment of our environment.

This work is largely done behind closed doors and in heated situations that can compromise even the best relationships.

It is never easy going against the grain and standing up for what you believe in, and luckily for our town, and us, these men have the guts to do so.

A couple of men were not mentioned that I think the green world of in terms of giving back to our community and our environment.

Maybe I should change that last sentence to “picking up” instead of giving back, because Roger Butow truly is the godfather of beach cleanups here in town and Chip McDermott has done a fantastic job with his new beach clean up movement, Zero Trash Laguna.

As a tight-knit community, we know that we can all make a difference — and together we can make an even bigger one.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing.com and ECOWarriorSurf.com. He can be reached at [email protected]