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
Saving the oceans can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task, but if we all pitch in, we can make a big difference. While there are a variety of lifestyle choices that, when adopted, can help the oceans, here are our top 10 ways you can help save the oceans!
10 WAYS YOU CAN HELP SAVE THE OCEANS
DEMAND PLASTIC-FREE ALTERNATIVES
The oceans face a massive and growing threat from plastics. An estimated 33 billion pounds of plastic pollution flood our marine environment from land-based sources every year — that’s roughly equivalent to dumping two garbage trucks full of plastic into our oceans every minute. And, instead of degrading, plastic breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces that are swallowed by everything from fish and sea turtles to seals and seabirds, many of which are endangered!
We must urge government leaders to pass policies that reduce plastic production and require companies to phase out unnecessary single-use plastic products and ramp up reusable and refillable options. You can add your name to call on world leaders to tackle plastic pollution.
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
The climate crisis threatens the health of our oceans and the marine wildlife that call them home. Sea levels are rising, and we are experiencing more extreme weather globally, and carbon dioxide – a known greenhouse gas – is making our oceans more acidic. This acidity contributes to the loss of corals, or coral bleaching.
The climate crisis is something we know how to combat – by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Join Oceana by pledging to combat climate change and reduce your carbon footprint.
EAT RESPONSIBLY-SOURCED SEAFOOD
Choose seafood that is healthy for you and the oceans from well-managed, wild fisheries. Wild seafood is a renewable resource that requires minimal freshwater to produce and emits less carbon dioxide than land-based proteins like beef. We know it’s hard to know what fish are okay to eat, which is why you can turn to these helpful resources:
- Consider adding small, oily fish that are packed with protein to your diet.
VOTE ON OCEAN ISSUES
Electing public officials that support smart ocean policies can help us protect marine life and our oceans. Do your research on candidates and make an informed decision, then exercise your right (and responsibility) to vote. And don’t let Election Day be the last time they hear from you. Follow up with your candidates and elected officials regularly to remind them of policies you care about.
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND LAWMAKERS
Your representatives and lawmakers might not know how important these issues are that face our oceans. But they will if you tell them. It’s up to constituents like you to make lawmakers aware of the crises facing marine life and our oceans. Don’t be shy! Take action with Oceana to directly contact your government representatives and lawmakers.
TEACH KIDS ABOUT THE OCEANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Around the world, research has shown that children have limited knowledge about the oceans because marine science topics are absent in most school curricula. The oceans are critical to life on Earth. Understanding that at an early age can help kids form connections with the seas and understand the reasons why it’s so important to protect them. Check out the Kids Environmental Lesson Plans (KELP) from Sailors for the Sea and dive into Oceana’s Marine Life Encyclopedia to learn about our oceans and all animals that inhabit them.
AVOID OCEAN-HARMING PRODUCTS
There are many products directly linked to harming endangered or threatened species, unsustainable fishing methods and pollution. For example, avoid cosmetics that contain shark squalene, jewelry made of coral or sea turtle shell, souvenir shells of conchs, nautiluses and other animals, and single-use plastics like straws and water bottles that can end up in our oceans. These products can threaten important species and ecosystems.
LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND
As beach crowds increase, so does the amount of trash left behind or blown away. Don’t let your day outside contribute to the destruction of our oceans. Remember to leave nothing behind but your footprints — collect and properly dispose of your trash.
SHARE YOUR OCEAN EFFORTS WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND COWORKERS
Tell people what’s going on with the world’s oceans and what they can do to join you in making a difference. Spread the word about petitions, share fun facts, and join the conversation with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube.
BECOME AN OCEAN ADVOCATE
More than 1 million members and activists in over 200 countries have already joined Oceana – the largest international organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Together, we’ve won over 300 victories and protected nearly 4 million square miles (10 million square kilometers) of ocean. But there’s more to be done! As a Wavemaker, your support is critical to our victories and protecting the world’s oceans and we can’t do it without you.
