As you can see on the Our Oceans and Health pages, the oceans are crucial for your own personal wellbeing and the longevity of our planet. However, the Share section clearly shows the many threats that exist for our oceans.

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At Marine Matters at the forefront of our minds is what actionable change YOU can make to help protect our oceans.

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Too often in the media we are presented with all the 'doom and gloom' about climate change and the futures of our oceans. Of course it is important to recognise and understand the challenges that we face, but with record levels of eco-anxiety in young people across the world it is crucial to have access to actionable information.

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As we have discussed reducing emissions is one of the most crucial steps to protect our oceans and coastal towns from the main threats outlined in Our Oceans. Below is a non-exhaustive list of some suggestions of things that you could do to try and make a change:

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Reducing food waste - reducing waste will protect food stocks (such as fish) reducing overproduction and keeping biodiversity high

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Buying sustainable local produce - reducing food miles is crucial in reducing emissions from food transport

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Buying products in a mindful manner - do you really need this item? Who has produced this item? What materials have been used in its production?

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Use of Renewable Energy - utilising solar panels, wind and hydrogen etc. will reduce the use of 'dirty' coal and gas

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Use of public transport - busing public transport such as trams, buses, trains etc reduce the number of emissions per capita and also decrease congestion

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Carpooling - reduces the number of unnecessary journeys

 

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Here are some more specific ocean related ideas:

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Sustainable seafood - eating sustainably caught sea food prevents overfishing allows our oceans to remain 'healthy' and carry out their critical functions

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Completing educational quizzes and programmes - understanding specifics about our ocean is one of the first steps to making a change. The more you know, the more you can do!

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Not using plastic bag and straws - plastic takes years to degrade, instead look at alternatives which can be reused or degrade quicker

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Beach Clean - removing rubbish from our beaches can prevent it from entering or re-entering into our oceans and damaging the ecosystem

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‘Spreading the word’ through social media and sharing thoughts - one of the most important things you can do! Tell others about what you are doing, and what they can do to help!

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