To begin our day, we took a moment to acknowledge the indigenous peoples who have been the steadfast caretakers of this coastline for generations. Adelia Sandoval, a revered member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation, led a traditional land acknowledgment ceremony on the sand.

Wes Carter, President of Atlantic Packaging and Founder of A New Earth Project welcomes us to Coast Summit '24 at The Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach, CA in November 2024.

This highly anticipated Fireside Chat brought together Rivian founder and CEO, RJ Scaringe, and Wes Carter, president of Atlantic Packaging and founder of A New Earth Project. The discussion centered on innovation in sustainability, electric mobility, and how businesses can lead the charge in addressing the global environmental crisis. Scaringe, a visionary in the electric vehicle industry, and Carter, a champion for sustainable packaging, explored the intersection of technology and nature, and how both can create lasting positive change. This Fireside Chat inspired and challenged the audience to think critically about the future of our planet and the role of innovative companies in that journey.

The race to find sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics and other polluting materials has sparked a wave of innovation and experimentation around the world. This panel shines a spotlight on four pioneering organizations that are leading the charge in this "modern alchemy" - transforming waste streams and natural resources into cutting-edge materials that are better for both people and the planet. Through in-depth discussions with the founders and leaders of these trailblazing initiatives, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, breakthroughs, and future potential of this rapidly evolving field.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play a vital role in safeguarding fragile ocean habitats, but their implementation can sometimes conflict with the needs and traditions of coastal communities. Our expert panel dives into this nuanced issue, examining how to protect sensitive marine ecosystems while also preserving the recreational access and livelihoods that are integral to many people's way of life. Through open and honest dialogue, we seek to find common ground and identify innovative solutions from around the world that balance environmental preservation with human use. By bringing diverse perspectives to the table, this session aims to chart a path forward that honors both the health of our coasts and the communities that depend on them.

Join us for an inspiring short film that proves you’re never too young to make waves for the planet! A group of local Laguna Beach kids, led by the unstoppable Alia Marriner, created AquaGroms—an event where they swam and walked a 3.5-mile stretch of coastline to raise funds for local environmental organizations. In 2024, these young ocean warriors raised over $12,000 for the SURFRIDER Foundation! The AquaGroms film captures their incredible journey and shows just how powerful a group of kids with big hearts can be. Don’t miss this feel-good story of community, action, and the ocean we all love.

Recent discoveries indicate that seaweed, specifically a type of green algae known as Proterocladus antiquus, is among the oldest known plants on Earth, and today has the potential to revolutionize our approach to sustainability. This dynamic panel discussion features leaders at the forefront of seaweed innovation. Emy Kane speaks about the creation of the prestigious Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize powered by Lonely Whale, a global competition that sought out and vetted scalable alternatives to traditional thin-film plastic. Lonely Whale accelerated the adoption of first-place Prize winner Sway's solutions with FLORENCE, a modern sports brand that participated in the program as an Early Adopter, and how radical collaboration can disrupt industries and transform our relationship with materials.

In an era when the world's most elite athletes command massive platforms and passionate fan bases, a new generation of sports stars is leveraging their influence to drive meaningful progress on critical environmental and social issues. This dynamic panel shone a spotlight on the innovative initiatives that pioneering athletes are spearheading, using their voices and platforms to inspire action and catalyze real-world impact. Through these compelling stories, we explore how athletes are uniquely positioned to drive awareness, inspire action, and catalyze tangible progress on the world's most pressing challenges.

In this final panel of Coast Summit ’24, we dive into the transformative impact of storytelling as a catalyst for global action, with a special focus on inclusion and sustainability. This session brings together leaders crafting narratives that resonate deeply, moving audiences from awareness to action. Together, these panelists explore storytelling’s unique ability to connect, transcend barriers, and mobilize people toward a more sustainable and just world.

Through panel discussions, premiere film screenings, and an inspiring fireside chat, get ready to connect with world-class athletes, captivating storytellers, passionate activists, and changemakers who are making a real difference. This is your chance to dive into groundbreaking ideas, witness eco-friendly innovations—like the use of seaweed to combat plastic pollution—and engage in lively discussions about conservation, innovation and passionate commitment.

In November of 2023 A New Earth Project along with The Momentum and The Coast Film Festival in Laguna Beach held the first annual Coast Summit. The gathering was designed for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts, from athletes, advocates, and industry folk, to policy makers, filmmakers and forward thinking brands. By bringing these vital voices together the voice of the outdoor community grows stronger, more unified, and powerful in its effort to protect our natural playgrounds and sacred places from environmental harm. The keynote for the day was delivered by legendary pro snowboarder turned environmental activist, Jeremy Jones, founder of Protect Our Winters. Jeremy's journey and accomplishments have lit the fuse. This movement is only just beginning.

Wes Carter, the founder of A New Earth Project and president of Atlantic Packaging discusses the power renowned adventure sports athletes can leverage for good, and the power the outdoor industry has to shape public opinion when it comes to protecting our sacred spaces. He's joined by pro snowboarder Kimmy Fasani, pro surfer Kai Lenny, pro skier Amie Engerbretson and pro surfer turned environmental activist Jon Rose.

A New Earth Project executive editor, Chris Mauro, gets wonky with a bevy of experts about California's game-changing batch of legislation aimed at tackling the plastic pollution crisis. As SB54 and SB343 get phased in between now and 2025, the packaging world is set for a serious game changer. The aim of these historic laws is to turn off the plastic waste problem at the source. But while the legislation has been passed, there's still a long road ahead. Mauro jumps into the nitty-gritty with Cal Recycle's Rachel Wagoner, The National Stewardship Council's Heidi Sanborn, Cruz Foam CEO John Felts, and Atlantic Packaging sustainability director, Caroline DeLoach.

Award winning filmmaker Josh "Bones" Murphy welcomes author and advocate Obi Kaufmann, Hallie Jones of the Crystal Cove Conservancy and renowned outdoor adventurist Timmy O'neill to talk about leveraging the power of story to protect our lands.

Surfrider Foundation CEO, Chad Nelson, sits down with legendary filmmaker Greg MacGillivray, WildAid's John Baker, and Patagonia Surf Ambassador Greg Long to talk about the growing threats to our oceans and the growing need to ramp up global protection efforts.

This playlist is a compilation of the panel discussions held during this inspiring day of convening, conversing, and swapping ideas on how to build a better future.