That’s the impact. Buchan has not just achieved a clean-up in his own back yard – he is effecting change across great swathes of an enormous country.
Not to mention the $25,000 (£18,670) he simply gave away to Australia’s independent Climate Council after being handed the cash by the World Surf League for his ocean advocacy.
Three children, remember. And he has the conviction to do that.
But for all the effort and negotiations, there have been attempts to start gas exploration on the New South Wales coast., external
“It’s definitely a hot-button issue in Australia,” says Buchan. “We have this conservative side of government pushing for gas and we clearly know that’s not the right choice. Australia has the ability to be a renewal superpower if we can harness the will to do that.
“But it’s not just fighting those battles in my own back yard. It’s about taking a global approach.
“If we combat climate change on a global level, we need big solutions. Hopefully we can safeguard all parts of the ocean.
“I want to come to a place where the coastline is hopefully protected for generations to come.
“We possess a lot of solutions to these problems – it’s about harnessing the political and social will to implement them.
“Hopefully, collectively, as a human race we can enact those things together and move towards a much more positive greener, bluer world to live in and enjoy.”
