California Coastkeeper Alliance and 12 local Waterkeeper organizations today announced the launch of the Blue Business Council, a network of California businesses working to protect the State’s most valuable and threatened natural capital—its coast, ocean, bays, rivers, and streams. We are pleased to be involved in this effort, joining other founding members such as Patagonia, New Belgium Brewing and Clif Bar.Humboldt Bay Oyster & Tourism, Hotel Healdsburg, and h2hotel.
California’s blue economy is a study of contrasts. California’s coast, bays, and rivers power a $106 billion tourism industry and a $39 billion ocean economy. But half of California’s waterways are currently too polluted for swimming, fishing or drinking. The State’s coastal cities and counties spend $420 million annually cleaning up trash and marine debris, and poor water quality at Southern California beaches sickens one million swimmers every year.
Blue Business Council members recognized the importance of clean and plentiful water by taking the Clean Water Pledge, and are working to support policies and practices that address threats such as drought, trash, and polluted runoff.
CCKA and Council members will celebrate Swimmable California Day on July 25th, a day officially designated by the California Legislature in 2013 recognizing Californians’ rights to coastal areas, beaches, estuaries, rivers, streams, and lakes that are clean and safe.
Please help to support Blue Business Council, visit bluebizcouncil.org to learn more and follow @BlueBizCouncil on Twitter.
