Helping the Ocean One Beer At a Time
Alaskan
Brewing Co. Launches Coastal CODE Initiative for a
Healthy Western Coastline
JUNEAU,
Alaska, Aug. 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- In 2006, poor
water quality led to more than 25,000 beach closures or advisories
throughout the country, 28 percent more than the previous year.
Alaskan Brewing Co. wants to help reverse this alarming trend
and is committing 1 percent of proceeds from its newly released
Alaskan IPA to improve the health of the Pacific Ocean and coastlines
in an initiative called the Coastal CODE (Clean Oceans Depend
on Everyone).
This
unique initiative has launched www.CoastalCODE.org,
which provides insights on ocean preservation; information on
volunteer opportunities; ways to donate to the fund; and information
about how to apply for Coastal CODE grants for such activities
as beach cleanups, water quality improvement and ocean conservation
education.
"Big problems like ocean
pollution can feel overwhelming, but if each of us does something
small, together we can make a big difference," said Marcy
Larson, co-founder of Alaskan Brewing Co. in Juneau, Alaska. "We're
happy to do our part through the Coastal CODE and participating
in beach cleanups. We chose ocean preservation because the ocean
is such an important resource to us all."
The small craft brewery is
involving others, calling on ocean-minded organizations to help
create the Coastal CODE, which began by surveying more than 500
Pacific Northwesterners about the Pacific Ocean. Nearly 100 percent
of respondents said they are concerned about the health of the
world's oceans and more than 50 percent think the condition of
the Pacific Ocean and western coastline is poor or at-risk.
The encouraging news is that
98.4 percent said they are willing to make at least one change
to help improve the ocean. The resulting CODE of conduct was written
from this unmistakable pattern of survey answers.
It reads:
MAKE
Walk, bike or sail to reduce emissions
Advocate for our ocean and coastlines
Volunteer
Eat sustainable seafood
Share your knowledge
In support of the Coastal
CODE, Portland artist Spencer Reynolds donated his time and talent
to illustrate the CODE's message. His artwork was printed onto
surfboards made from eco-friendly material called "Biofoam."
These limited-edition surfboards will be auctioned to raise money
for the Coastal CODE Fund.
"This CODE has the potential
to spread awareness of our ocean's needs to people who care about
this precious resource," said Mark J. Spalding, president
of The Ocean Foundation, a nonprofit group housing and advising
the Coastal CODE Fund. "It's refreshing to see a company
take responsibility for the environment. The fact that the Coastal
CODE initiative is so creative, fun and engaging is very exciting.
This kind of leadership can help turn the tide in ocean conservation."
About
Alaskan Brewing Co.
Alaskan Brewing Co. has been making award-winning beer in Juneau,
Alaska, since 1986. The Alaskan Brew Crew bottles the unique character
of the Last Frontier with historic recipes, local ingredients
and glacier-fed water. In addition to IPA, Alaskan Brewing handcrafts
Amber, Pale, ESB, Stout, Smoked Porter, Winter Ale and Summer
Ale. Visit www.alaskanbeer.com.
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