World Oceans Day is on the 8th June, and the ocean needs your help.
Covering more than 70% of the earth’s surface, the oceans are crucial to life on planet earth. The oceans produce over half of the world’s oxygen and play a major role in the earth’s climate and weather patterns.
The ocean is also home to a wealth of amazing wildlife. Some of the biggest and the smallest creatures on earth are found in the ocean. From the coastal animals and birds to the strange creatures living in the dark depths, they all rely on the health of the ocean.
For humans, the world’s oceans provide not only food, jobs, and transportation but also pleasure. The ocean inspires and revitalizes us; it can even wash away our worries. But we should be worried because we are having a huge impact on the oceans of the world.
This year, World Oceans Day is asking us to join in the call, asking world leaders to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. Labeled as “30 by 30”, by protecting at least 30% of our ocean, we can help ensure its future.
Below we share some great ways you can help reduce your impact and get involved this World Oceans Day.
1. Choose Plastic-Free Alternatives
There are many areas in our lives where we can make a simple choice to reduce plastic and support other alternatives. Here are just a few swaps that are easy to make.
EASY SWAPS TO REDUCE YOUR SINGLE USE PLASTIC by Everyday Recycler2. Buy Products made from Ocean Trash
You can help support the movement to clean up the ocean by buying products that are made from recycled plastic or ocean plastic. Many innovative companies are using waste collected from the ocean to make new products.
For example, companies like Boden, Wolven, or DK Active make their products from ECONYL® regenerated nylon. ECONYL® is made using recycled fishing nets collected from oceans. You can read about the process here.
Head over to our Recycled Brands to find more products made from recycled plastic and other recycled materials. And don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list so you can keep ahead of the rest. You’ll be the first to hear about our new recycled products as we add them.
3. Support Ocean Cleanup Groups
There are many great non-profit organizations working to clean up and protect the world’s oceans. This World Ocean Day, why not lend your support to these amazing groups by making a donation?
Oceana
Established in 1999 after a study found that less than 0.5% of resources spent by environmental groups in the USA went to ocean advocacy. Since its founding, Oceana has won more than 225 victories and protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean.
Dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans, Oceana identifies practical solutions and makes them happen. Their latest campaigns include Banning the sale of shark fins in the US, protecting the US Endangered Species Act from its own extinction, or urging the President of Peru to create the Nazca Ridge Marine Protected Area.
Here’s the link – Oceana
Ocean Conservancy
Their mission is to work with you to protect the ocean. Working together to create solutions for a healthy ocean. You can get involved in many different ways, including:
- You can join an ocean cleanup, refer below, or you can help with one of their numerous campaigns.
- Help protect an endangered species, and urge the government to support marine research or protect our ocean.
- Or make a donation to those who are doing all this amazing work on our behalf.
Here’s the link – Ocean Conservancy
Take 3 for the Sea
In 2009, two friends decided to help stop plastic pollution. Their idea was simple: Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway, or anywhere else. Take 3 provides education programs in schools, surf life-saving clubs, and early childhood programs. They also provide community programs like film nights, talks, and cleanup events.
Joining the Take 3 program is easy. All you have to do is pick up 3 pieces of rubbish next time you are out at the beach or park. Oh, and you can take more than 3 if you want. Don’t forget to support the group that started the movement and head on over to Take3’s website to donate or pick up one of their educational kid’s books.
Here’s the link – Take 3 for the Sea
The Ocean Cleanup
The Ocean Cleanup was founded in 2013 by Dutch inventor Boyan Slat at the age of 18. The team now includes more than 90 engineers, scientists, researchers, and computational modelers. They are designing and developing systems that will clean up ocean pollution. In particular, they are targeting ocean pollution at its source, the world’s major rivers, to try to prevent plastic pollution from entering the ocean.
Soon, they will be making sustainable products from the trash that they collect. Head on over to their website where you can be one of the first to get access by giving a donation.
Here’s the link – The Ocean Cleanup
4. Get Involved in a Cleanup Event
Why not get involved yourself and join an ocean cleanup event near you?
Ocean Conservancy has been running ocean cleanups for more than 30 years, where millions of volunteers from right across the globe work to rid our oceans of pollution. Why not volunteer for the International Coastal Cleanup in September?
Check your local community groups for cleanups near you or other volunteer sites. Here are a few links to help
- World Cleanup Day
- World Oceans Day events
- International Coastal Cleanup in September
- National Cleanup Day USA
- The Ocean Cleanup Careers
- Great British Spring Clean
- Clean up Australia Day
- Find more ideas to volunteer for beach preservation.
5. Educate Yourself About Ocean Pollution
Why not dedicate some time to World Oceans Day to learn more about the ocean and how humans are impacting it? Below are a few organizations with great online educational material or activities that you can join in.
- Find out more about 30 by 30 for World Oceans Day
- Smithsonian Institution Ocean – Find your Blue
- 5 Gyres Trash Academy
- Take 3 for the Sea The Plastic Facts
- National Geographic Oceans Marine pollution explained
- Watch the movie “A Plastic Ocean” on Netflix
6. Enjoy the Ocean
Make sure you get down to the ocean if you can, and take some time to appreciate its beauty.
If you cannot make it to the ocean yourself, then jump on YouTube and relax by listening to the sound of the ocean.
