Adrian Buchan To The Guardian: ‘Australia’s Record On Fossil Fuels Is An International Joke’

You’d have to be a real asshole to criticize Adrian Buchan. 

To steal from a reputable international news source, Ace is: “imperturbable, centred, thoroughly nice.”

He’s also a 14-year Tour vet and has a winning finals record against Kelly Slater. Tack that onto being a caring father, author, and burgeoning environmentalist, and it’s impossible to deny: Ace is the best person in surfing. Anyone who says otherwise should be condemned to a life in their mother’s basement. 

For these reasons and more, Ace was recently profiled by The Guardian, who took a keen interest in the Australian’s views on environmental politics. 

Ace said: “The interest of fossil fuel in Australian politics is becoming something of an international joke. It’s fine for us to kind of sit back and shake our heads at what’s happening with, say, Donald Trump in America, but people are doing the same [here] … the influence of fossil fuel in our politics, it’s just crazy. You have a government in power that is picking and choosing when it listens to the science.

“Renewable energy prices are low – there’s non-fossil fuel energy storage options available. Gas just isn’t a transition fuel that’s going to lead to a safe climate. I feel like that ship’s well and truly sailed … I think switching to renewables rapidly is the only responsible path. The science is super clear.”

Aaaaand there go half of Ace’s fans.

It’s a funny thing—you try to do what’s best for all of human life and half the people hate you for it. That’s politics for ya. But good on Ace for taking a public stand and calling out the reckless figures in power. For some reason, it feels more meaningful in Oz than disavowing Trump here in the US. 

You can read the full piece featuring Ace here.