Many people don’t give a second thought to the oceans because they’re out of sight and out of mind. The deep-sea is one of the final frontiers of human exploration. We know more about the Moon than we do about the deep sea. As a result, our oceans are falling victim to harmful human activities. This includes overfishing and pollution, among others. So it’s up to us to save the oceans!
What Can You Do To Help?
There are a lot of things that individuals can do to help protect our oceans, coral reefs, and the plethora of diverse ocean life that teems beneath the surface. One of the most important things you can do is to try reducing your single-use plastic consumption. These plastics tend to end up in the ocean, damaging fish and reefs irreparably. It’s also helpful to look for natural products instead of chemical ones, so that run-off water doesn’t end up in the water system.
However, there are also major organizations that are pooling their resources to have a bigger impact. These organizations train frontline advocates, offer lesson plans for teachers, and invest in policy creation to help protect our oceans. If you want to make a bigger impact, consider making a donation to one of these organizations.
- Oceana – This organization takes the perspective that protecting the oceans is a way to protect the food supply that helps humans survive. They offer monthly subscriptions as well as one-off opportunities to volunteer and donate. You can also add your name to various petitions to tell politicians that you want them to prioritize our oceans in their policies.
- Project AWARE Foundation – If you’re a strong swimmer or a SCUBA diver, you could volunteer with Project AWARE to help protect coral reefs. Not only does this organization help remove human debris from natural underwater environments but they advocate for policy changes, too.
- Coral Reef Alliance – This organization creates alliances between fisherman, divers, scientists, and politicians to protect coral reefs for future generations.
Take a moment today to join an organization defending our oceans. If we all work together we can save the oceans! Future generations will thank you.