Only 2.5 percent of our planet’s ocean is thoroughly protected from exploitation by fishing, oil, and mining interests. The remaining 97.5 percent is subject to overfishing, pollution, and the warming, acidifying effects of climate change. Lex, Tony, and Emma spoke to Dr. Enric Sala, the architect of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project, about his mission to protect the last wild places in the ocean from overfishing. By partnering with global political leaders, Pristine Seas has created 22 of the world’s largest marine reserves. While Pristine Seas works to expand Marine Protected Areas, consumers like me and you can do our part to help save the ocean using the following ideas.
1. Install Ocean-Saving Chrome Extensions
Doing your part to save the ocean starts with the painless installment of a chrome extension or two. Free extensions like OceanHero and Ocean Cleanup Group are search engines whose advertising profits fund ocean cleanup operations around the world. Ocean Cleanup Group users can track the impact of their search activity while supporting marine life rescue, rehabilitation, and education centers. Internet advertisements are easier on the eyes when they glow with the promise of ocean-saving potential.
2. Trivia at FreeTheOcean.com
Another way to help save the ocean from the comfort of your home is to visit FreeTheOcean.com and answer one daily trivia question. Fear not, trivia neophytes! Whether or not you answer correctly, your click has a positive impact. Entrepreneur Mimi Ausland created Free The Ocean (FTO) to show consumers that their actions have a tangible impact on the planet. Advertisements on the website and products purchased from FTO fund charitable organizations that remove plastic from our oceans— the FTO community has already helped remove over 8 million pieces of plastic! To learn more, check out our podcast episode with Mimi where we discuss how to ingest less plastic, amongst other things.
3. Seek Sustainable Seafood
Eating sustainable seafood is essential in protecting marine ecosystems. Sustainable seafood is sourced with minimal environmental and social impacts. The Seafood Watch App allows users to learn more about the seafood they consume and locates businesses that serve sustainable seafood. Seafood lovers can also use Ocean Wise to conduct sustainable seafood searches, discover Ocean Wise restaurants and partners, and even explore seafood recipes. The World Wide Fund for Nature also compiled this list of global seafood guides.
4. Choose your Sunscreen Wisely
Coral ecosystems in the ocean are threatened by climate change, unsustainable fishing, and even the chemicals found in sunscreen. The use of sunscreen is non-negotiable, however, the consumer choice between chemical and mineral sunscreens can be instrumental to the ocean’s survival. Sunscreens with chemical formulas contain oxybenzone, which can induce bleaching and DNA damage in corals. Mineral formulas contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which are less damaging to reefs than oxybenzone. When reading sunscreen labels, opt for the formulas with no nanoparticles— nanoparticles are harmful to corals because they are easily ingested. Popular reef-safe sunscreens include Thinksport, California Kids, and Badger Balm. If you choose not to wear sunscreen, staying in the shade or wearing a rash guard can also keep your skin and the ocean safe.
5. Plastic Alternatives
Every year, approximately 8 million tons of plastic flow into our oceans, consequently impacting marine life and human health when microplastics end up in tap water, beer, salt, and other ingested goods. While the packaging industry contributes most to plastic waste, consumer products also contribute 37 million tons of plastic waste per year. Consumers can actively reduce plastic waste by choosing plastic alternatives for common household products. You can start with reusable shopping bags, produce bags, food wraps, wooden cutlery, and bamboo toothbrushes.
6. Participate in a local cleanup
Local cleanups are a great way to engage with the community while making a positive impact on the environment. The Ocean Conservancy website urges users to organize a cleanup and record their trash collection using the CleanSwell app. The data is then used by researchers and policy-makers to inform solutions to save the ocean. If you are unable to attend local cleanups, you can also donate to groups like The Ocean Cleanup to support cleanup systems at work throughout the world.