Rick Crawford
Climate change is undoubtedly the single greatest threat to fisheries on the planet, and as an angler and father, I am deeply concerned about the future of our planet and our fisheries. I believe that by working towards a common goal of achieving carbon neutrality, we can make a significant positive impact towards solving the climate crisis while leading by example. If you are in the fly fishing industry, then your business is dependent upon a healthy environment, and healthy fish, so it makes sense to mitigate that risk by reducing your carbon footprint and eventually going carbon neutral, which is why I decided to create the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance.
The Fly Fishing Climate Alliance is made up of guides, shops, lodges and brands who have taken a pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030. I believe that leading by example is always the right thing to do, which is why I made Emerger Strategies carbon neutral in 2019. However, going carbon neutral is not enough. In order to make the large-scale and systemic changes necessary to truly solve the climate crisis, we need not only need bold action from businesses on climate change, but we also must change policy and that requires activism. So, Fly Fishing Climate Alliance Members have taken the following pledge:
“As an individual and CEO/President/Business Owner in the fly fishing industry, I am deeply concerned about the negative impacts climate change is having on both fresh water and marine species across the planet, which is why I am pledging to take the following actions to protect what I love and also protect my business:
- I pledge to write an Op-Ed in my local newspaper and/or a national publication about my concerns regarding how climate change is impacting my business and call for elected officials to take action no later than 10/31/20.
- I pledge to leverage my company’s brand voice and share any articles that get published and also let my customers know why we are taking action and how they can do the same.
- I pledge to contact my elected officials and ask them what they are doing on a policy level to take action on climate and be prepared to discuss the economic implications of not taking action.
- I pledge to participate in and engage my customers to promote a national call-in day for anglers (my customers) concerned about climate.
- I pledge to share and promote that my company has joined the Climate Alliance and taken the Pledge and encourage others to join.
- I pledge to calculate my company’s carbon footprint, implement energy conservation strategies and set a goal to be Carbon Neutral by 2030.”
I had the idea of forming a Climate Alliance a couple of years ago and started pitching the idea at IFTD last year, but it wasn’t until my The Sustainable Angler Podcast interview with Auden Schendler when Auden suggested that there’s a $0 cost option that could have massive impact if brands would simply address that climate change is a problem, and at a minimum write and call their elected officials to let them know that our businesses are dependent upon a healthy environment and that we need climate action now. That said, all of these companies should also not just talk the talk, but they should also walk the walk, which is why committing to carbon neutrality by 2030 makes sense aside from just being the right thing to do. Below is a list of current Climate Alliance Members:
- Soul Fly Outfitters
- True North Trout
- Craig Matthews
- Low Tide Charters
- Tailwater Lodge
- Lary’s Fly & Supply
- Emerald Water Anglers
- School of Trout
- Monic Fly Fishing
- Rock Treads
- Crazy Creek Products
- Reilly Rod Crafters
- Seigler Reels
- Patagonia Fly Fish
- Rep Your Water
- Emerger Strategies
- The Sustainable Angler
The Fly Fishing Climate Alliance Members believe it is our responsibility to do our part to solve the climate crisis so that we can save the planet, the fish and our businesses. I would like to thank everyone who has joined the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance. If you don’t see your favorite guide, shop, lodge or brand listed, give them a nudge and tell them to join too!
Who knows, maybe fly fishing can save the world?
