P4L: protecting the environment for life.
If the Pogues and Kooks can agree on one thing, it’s the importance of taking care of the Outer Banks beaches — and the planet around us in general. So it’s only fitting that after a beach party like Poguelandia, the cast of Outer Banks did their part to protect coastal and marine ecosystems with a group beach cleanup at Tower 20 in Santa Monica on Sunday, Feb. 19.
Some of the friendly Outer Banks faces lending a helping hand included co-creators and executive producers Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke, Chase Stokes (John B) — and his dog, Milo Stokes — Jonathan Daviss (Pope), Madison Bailey (Kiara), Carlacia Grant (Cleo), Austin North (Topper), Drew Starkey (Rafe), Charles Halford (Big John), Charles Esten (Ward Cameron) and Elizabeth Mitchell (Carla Limbrey).
In the show, Kiara talks about her deep love for the planet. When asked what her “biggest pet peeve” is way back in the first episode, her answer is a no-brainer. “Easy. Giving 1% to the environment… We only have one Earth. We should be giving it 100%, bare minimum.”
The Outer Banks cast and crew (and Milo!) gave it 100% the afternoon after Poguelandia. In partnership with Surfrider LA — a foundation dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches — the team collected 78 pounds of trash from the Santa Monica coastline, including items like cigarette butts (150) and plastic bottle caps (200). “Much of this was plastic litter that could have stayed in our marine environment for generations,” said a representative for Surfrider LA after the cleanup.
Getting their hands dirty for the greater good is common practice for these Pogues and Kooks. Remember when Topper and Sarah (Madelyn Cline) helped out at a beach cleanup in the third episode of Season 1? Kie isn’t the only member of Gen Z with the environment weighing heavily on her mind.
“I think our generation is really really passionate,” says Cline in the video above. “I think we talk about [climate change] a lot. I think we’re really, really open about it. And with all of our social networks and how accessible all of this knowledge is to our generation, we’re able to educate ourselves.”
Per the Pew Research Center, Gen Z Americans are indeed more likely to say climate change is their top concern. Cline grew up 30 minutes from where Outer Banks is filmed in South Carolina, and she notes that the hurricanes there have only become stronger in recent years. “Most of my family, they’re all in the southeast,” she says. “It’s really scary to watch from afar, and it’s also really scary to be a part of. And that’s [in] direct correlation to temperatures rising.”
No matter your age or where you live, everyone has the power to make a difference for their environment. Just take Kiara, who’s finally working to save sea turtles like she’s always dreamed of, as we learn in the Season 3 finale time jump. And if you want some ideas for how you can help, scientists recommended these actions: eating a plant-based diet (which Cline says she does often herself), reducing food waste, switching to clean energy, composting and seeking out sustainable fashion. “Being really, really cognizant of what I’m buying and the companies I’m supporting has definitely become something I’ve been more proactive about,” says Cline.
After all, “Earth is beautiful, and I think we can all make a difference in our own way.”
Season 3 of Outer Banks is now streaming.
