Chris Hemsworth is an Australian actor, surfer, and, now, ocean advocate. For a while, the surf world’s been well aware of Thor’s, er Hemsworth’s, surfing ability, and his friendship with Kelly Slater. But as part of a partnership between Corona and Parley for the Oceans to protect 100 islands from the scourge of marine plastic pollution by 2020, Hemsworth and other famous watermen and women are taking on new roles as global advocates for the ocean and implore you to do the same.
The object of the initiative is straightforward enough – partner with local leaders in 100 islands across a multitude of regions to both spread awareness about global plastic pollution and take action by cleaning their local beaches, making them plastic free by 2020.
Hemsworth, along with Ramón Navarro from Chile, Diego Luna from Mexico, and Nashla Bogaert from the Dominican Republic recently visited the Parley Ocean School in the Maldives for an immersive learning experience to better understand the complexity of the issue. And now they’re spreading awareness about the campaign and what you can do to support (besides buying beer).
Chris Hemsworth and Diego Luna pick up trash on a beach in the Maldives. Photo: Corona/Parley for the Oceans
The astute reader might point out that Corona is a company that uses glass bottles, aluminum cans, and packaging to transport their beer to the masses – not exactly ocean-friendly – and their partnership with Parley sounds like a publicity stunt. But according to a press release, Corona’s commitment to clean up the world’s oceans runs deep. “Beyond protecting 100 Islands, Corona will implement a plastic-conscious philosophy across all aspects of the brand by adopting the Parley AIR (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) Strategy,” reads the release. “The brand already avoids plastic by using wood across its promotional materials and serving ice cold Coronas in metal buckets all around the world.” Anyone thirsty?
The release goes on: “This process will start with an assessment of the brand’s supply chain, leading to a long-term innovation pipeline to reduce and eventually replace plastic items that are currently in use. Additionally, there will be a focus on employee education and reduction of plastic use at all brand activations and events. An immediate action is to a redesign one of the brand’s biggest global programs, Corona Sunsets – a series of festivals and events occurring worldwide – to not only align with the Parley AIR Strategy but also to leverage the occasion as a means of educating more than 350,000 consumers a year.”
In an Instagram post, Hemsworth expressed his commitment to the initiative. “I’ve spent a large part of my life in and around the ocean, it’s where a lot of my happiest memories came from,” he said. “If I had anxieties or worries, I’d head to the ocean and it was always the place where I could reset and be 100% present. My experience in the Maldives made it obvious how our short-term use of plastic has a long-term damaging effect on our oceans. I’m thrilled to be a part of this program because I want to inspire people to find a solution and protect the world’s oceans so future generations can enjoy them like I do.”
