Stepping Up to the Plate for Our Ocean With Major League Baseball

This blog was written by Susie Goodell, Ocean Conservancy’s Communications intern for the Spring 2021 term and a member of the Dartmouth College Class of 2023, majoring in Environmental Studies. She is the Build Chair for the Dartmouth chapter of Habitat for Humanity and a scouting intern for the Dartmouth football team. Susie loves spending time on the coast of Maine with her dog.

Earth Week is an exciting time of the year, especially for those of us who care deeply about protecting nature. It is a chance for us to celebrate our planet and the incredible biodiversity it houses. It is also an opportunity to learn from and educate others about the threats to the planet and encourage them to act.

This Earth Week, the ongoing pandemic made us think about the impact of a new, everyday form of plastic waste: personal protective equipment (PPE).

In March 2021, Ocean Conservancy published Pandemic Pollution: The Rising Tide of Plastic PPE, a report aimed at raising awareness of the threats around PPE pollution. PPE includes face masks, gloves, face shields and disposable wipes, and these items are often made of plastic that is not recyclable. While PPE is an absolutely critical tool for protecting us from COVID-19, the sudden increase in these often single-use items means more pollution. Researchers have estimated that more than 129 billion face masks have been used every month of the pandemic. If not properly disposed of, one mask can shed more than 173,000 microplastic fibers in a day. It is also easy for marine animals to become entangled in the ear loops of masks.

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Luckily, there are steps all of us—from individuals to companies—can take to tackle this problem.

Ocean Conservancy teamed up with Major League Baseball (MLB) to organize an Earth Week program to help educate employees from MLB and its 30 Clubs on the topic. Employees joined Nick Mallos, Senior Director of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas® program, to discuss PPE pollution.

As Nick explained, the PPE pollution we see today is the exacerbation of an existing crisis. A recent study found that 11 million metric tons of plastics per year—more than one garbage truckload per minute—are entering our ocean. During the last six months of 2020, International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) volunteers collected 107,000 pieces of PPE, which is just a small portion of the actual amount of PPE pollution.

While ICC volunteers are hard at work keeping our beaches and ocean clean in the face of this pollution, there is still much to be done, and we all have a part to play.

We are proud to work with organizations like MLB who are stepping up to the plate to help spread awareness of the urgent issues threatening our oceans. Through MLB Green, the league and teams have taken steps to make the game more ocean-friendly, from reducing single-use plastics in different ballparks to installing solar panels across ten different parks. Meanwhile, players like former San Francisco Giant, Hunter Pence, have used their platform to join Team Ocean. Learn more about we’re bringing our ocean to the world of sports with Team Ocean.

Here are steps that you can take to help:

• Cut the ear loops of masks after use to lessen entanglement threats.
• Make sure to dispose of your PPE at home or in secure, covered containers.
• Participate in local cleanups using the Clean Swell app.

To see Nick’s conversation with MLB, watch the video here.

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The post Stepping Up to the Plate for Our Ocean With Major League Baseball appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

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President Biden’s First 100 Days

In 100 days, some pretty incredible things can happen in our ocean. Some Emperor Penguins will go without eating for up to 100 days while they keep their eggs warm and safe. In 100 days while feeding, a blue whale can eat up to 800,000 pounds of krill.

Today marks a different kind of 100-day milestone: President Biden’s 100^th day in office. When it comes to achievements in 100 days, the ocean puts up some stiff competition. So, what about this administration? Here are seven accomplishments the Biden administration achieved for our ocean in its first 100 days.

1. NOAA Budget Proposal

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the premier agency to understand and take action on climate change, as well as supporting our sustainable blue economy and managing our ocean resources. With our ocean and coastal communities being on the frontline of the impacts of climate change like sea-level rise and increased extreme weather events, NOAA must have the necessary resources to understand these changes and provide local communities with the tools and expertise to take action to mitigate or avoid these changes. The Biden budget framework does just that by proposing historic funding levels to an agency that has been chronically underfunded.

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2. Paris Climate Agreement and Committing to Emissions Reductions

On day 1 of the Biden administration, the United States rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, committing to reducing our emissions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Specifically, the Biden administration highlighted the important role the ocean has to provide climate solutions, including the decarbonization of the shipping industry, scaling up renewable energy such as offshore wind, and protecting and utilizing natural climate solutions like wetlands, marshes, mangroves and more.

3. Executive Action on Climate Change and Scientific Integrity

It took just about a week for the Biden administration to show the United States is serious when it comes to taking action on climate change. On January 27, 2021, the Biden administration released an Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. This Executive Order put an emphasis on increasing renewable energy, protecting our most wild places, collecting information on how fishing communities are adapting to shifting fish stocks as a result of increased stressors in the ocean and understanding the impacts of climate change on our most vulnerable communities. On the same day, the President also released a Presidential Memorandum on scientific integrity, ensuring that our agencies, including NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency, are making decisions based on science—not politics.

4. Offshore Oil and Gas Pause

We’ve seen time and time again that offshore oil and gas drilling is a risky endeavor. In 2010, the BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded, taking the lives of 11 oil rig workers and spilling an estimated 210 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground, spilling roughly 11 million gallons of oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound. While these are just some of the devastating results of offshore oil and gas drilling, there have been countless other incidents that have damaged coastal communities and our ocean. We’re encouraged that the Biden administration released plans to review our offshore oil and gas program to improve the stewardship of our waters and promote a just and equitable transition to renewable energy.

5. Offshore Wind

To transition away from climate change-causing greenhouse gas emitting forms of energy, we will have to make significant investments and shifts towards a variety of other renewable forms of energy, including offshore wind. To put the United States on a pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb the impacts of climate change, the Biden administration set the ambitious goal of 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 while protecting the marine environment and balancing other ocean uses. To meet this goal, the administration released plans to direct funding towards the science to understand the impacts of offshore wind, created key agreements with offshore wind companies to share data, and allocated funds for research and development into offshore wind technologies that will reduce impacts on the environment.

6. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

In late March 2021, the administration released the American Jobs Plan, which includes more than $2 trillion in proposed investments to improve our nation’s infrastructure and spur economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The President’s proposal includes significant investments in our ocean and coastal communities, including plans for coastal restoration and investments in zero-emission shipping and port infrastructure.

7. Government Leaders

As with any new administration, the people who you surround yourself with, the people that you choose to run agencies like NOAA, are crucially important in how these agencies function. Everything from the big picture priorities of an agency to the day-to-day operations is the responsibility of appointed agency personnel. The Biden administration has selected some great individuals to lead our government to tackle the challenges our ocean faces today and implement solutions. From Secretary Haaland leading the Department of the Interior to Secretary Raimondo heading up the Secretary of Commerce and the recent nomination of Dr. Spinrad to lead NOAA, we know our agencies are in good hands.

The first 100 days of any administration can speak volumes about their priorities. We’re glad to see that climate change, environmental justice and our ocean are high on the list for the Biden administration and we look forward to more actions to come.

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Do Ocean Animals Dance?

Are you ready for this?

Yes, some ocean animals dance!

You read that right, friend. And I’m here to bring you some absolutely astounding levels of ocean joy, courtesy of eight ocean animals who have no fear when it comes to bustin’ a move. Some have dance rituals that are critical to their survival, some just appear to like to get groovy … and some honestly probably aren’t dancing on purpose, but they sure look like they’d be good at it if they were! Dive on in and check out these spectacular waltzers, twisters and tango-ers that are sure to leave you feeling fin-credibly impressed.

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Spanish Dancer

This show-stopping creature, reminiscent of a fabulous flamenco dancer, is a type of nudibranch (aka: a sea slug). It twists and twirls through the sea with such grace, it’s sure to hold the attention of anyone who has the opportunity to witness its moves.

Blue-footed Booby

Source: GIPHY

You may feel like you’re watching a tap dance right now, but this is actually a mating ritual for these seabirds. After a male blue-footed booby garners a female’s attention, he’ll put on an elaborate performance for her, placing particular focus on his fabulous blue feet in an effort to impress his hopeful mate.

Laysan Albatross

© U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/GIPHY

Oh, and by the way … blue-footed boobies aren’t the only seabirds to engage incredibly complex courtship dances! Laysan albatross engage in a similar performance … and in case you didn’t notice yet, it’s pretty hilarious to watch. A quick summary: they look like they both just heard their favorite song, started bouncing their heads to it, then dove in for a smooch. Nice, albatross duo. Nice.

Sea Angel

Source: GIPHY

These pteropods, dubbed “sea angels” for their humanoid-like shape and delicate transparency, also engage in graceful dances when fielding a potential mate. They may be sheer and appear slightly flimsy, but their level of underwater elegance is truly a spectacle to behold.

Pom-pom crab

Source: GIPHY

Behold: the most cheerful-looking crustacean you will probably ever lay eyes upon. Alright, I’ll admit it … I’m not really sure if this counts as a “dance,” but I certainly love the fact that this little one looks like it’s ready to cheer on any other marine specimen that dares take on the dance floor. How could I bear to not include it? Keep up that positivity, non-crabby crab!

Humpback whale

Source: GIPHY

Remember when I mentioned those tiny pteropods that were ridiculously elegant? Well, that elegance isn’t limited to just the smaller creatures of our ocean, and humpback whales are living proof. Whether a female humpback is waltzing with a mate or twirling through the water with its young calf, these massive marine mammals boast grace-filled dance moves that will surely leave anyone mesmerized. 

Feather star

Source: GIPHY

Say hello to one of the most fantastically fabulous echinoderms in the sea! These feathery sea stars are really just swimming, not purposefully dancing, but watch them for more than a few seconds and you’ll see why I included them. No matter how or where feather stars are floating through the water, they’re utterly reminiscent of an energetic twirler in an elaborate ball gown, showing off her style and threads in an impressive constant flutter through the sea.

Pygmy seahorse

Source: GIPHY

Source: GIPHY

Last but most certainly not least on the list of our ocean’s most talented dancers: seahorses! When it comes to finding a partner during mating season, the horses of the sea are yet another species group that could probably conquer many of us if it came down to a rumba or foxtrot show-down. In an adorable display of commitment, seahorse pairs will attach themselves to their mates during morning courtship dances by interlocking their tails, and the visual this makes for is not only fascinating, but also insanely adorable. This tiny pygmy seahorse couple in particular is here to steal both your heart and the dancefloor!

And there you go, friends: eight marine wildlife species that are truly gifted dancers. No matter where on our blue planet you look, these creatures certainly prove that there’s no shortage of spectacular talent gallivanting throughout our seas at all times!

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How Much Do You Know About Shipping?

Whether we know it or not, many of us rely on international shipping for the products we use every day. Shipping not only plays a big role in the economy—it plays a big role in ocean health.

You’ve heard us talk before about shipping and its effects on the ocean, but now we want to hear from YOU. How much do you really know about one of the world’s biggest industries? Today, we’re going to put you to the test.

Take our shipping quiz and find out just how much you now about the impacts of shipping on our ocean. Then, learn more about the dangers of shipping and how we can make it more sustainable for our ocean, our planet and ourselves.

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Shipping has long been a big part of global trade, but we’re seeing it expand and change in the era of climate change—including in the remote Arctic region. As seasonal sea ice melts due to our rapidly warming climate, passage through the Arctic is becoming easier for commercial vessels, and interest in shipping through the region is increasing. As more vessels travel through the Arctic, the risk of disrupting wildlife and impacting local communities increases—and so does the threat of pollution, including a major oil spill.

Shipping is an important part of our lives, but it needs to be done sustainably for the health of our ocean and climate. Smart shipping starts with understanding the problem: Test your knowledge with our shipping quiz!

Will you score 100%? There’s only one way to find out…

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How Do Jellyfish Sting?

There are all kinds of strategies animals use to defend themselves and capture prey. Some have sharp teeth and strong jaws, some rely on camouflage and others secrete potent toxins. Nematocysts are one technique used by members of the phylum Cnidaria that really packs a punch.

First things first: what are cnidarians? Members of the phylum Cnidaria are invertebrates, meaning they don’t have a backbone. Cnidarians include corals, jellyfish, anemones and hydroids, and there are more than 11,000 species found all over the world. Cnidarians are recognizable by their radial symmetry and bodies made of two layers of living tissue with a gelatinous layer in-between.

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Nematocysts are small stinging cells that resemble tiny harpoons and are a defining characteristic of cnidarians. There are about 30 different types of nematocysts which can be used to ward off predators, secure prey and (sometimes) movement. The name “nematocyst” literally means “thread bag”, which describes their structure: sharp spines connected to a long tube stored in a sac on the animal’s surface. Sounds appealing, right?

Nematocyst stay safely in their sacs when the animal is unbothered. But when the animal senses either a physical or chemical disturbance, such as an unsuspecting beach-goer bumping into a jellyfish tentacle, the nematocyst will shoot out of the sac. The entire discharge takes about three milliseconds—faster than you can get away. Those disturbances can even trigger nematocysts after the animal has died or after a tentacle has detached.

© Peet J. van Eeden

Nematocysts can vary based on the species. Some are designed to wrap around an item or stick to a surface, while others contain toxins that can cause serious pain or death. All jellyfish toxins contain a protein called porins, which attack cells in the unfortunate recipient of a sting. Depending on the amount and proportion of porins, the stings can cause redness and swelling or something much, much worse. Don’t panic if you’re stung. Instead, pluck off any visible tentacles and douse the area in vinegar. Contrary to popular belief, you definitely shouldn’t pour alcohol on it or have a friend pee on you.

Australian box jellyfish, also known as sea wasps, are considered the one of the most venomous animals in the ocean. Their nematocysts contain a potent toxin that attacks the heart, nerves and skin and can cause serious pain or death. Instead of going into deep detail about box jellyfish stings, let’s just say you want to avoid it. Fortunately, most cnidarians are not as venomous, but it’s a good idea to give all animals their space regardless.

Next time you see a jellyfish or anemone, you’ll know they’re so much more than their gelatinous bodies and cool colors. They’re actually harpoon-packing, quick-drawing, backbone-less badasses that aren’t to be messed with.

The post How Do Jellyfish Sting? appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

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Paths to Careers in Marine Conservation

Earlier this month, Ocean Conservancy had the privilege of co-hosting a very special virtual event with our partner Dream In Green, a South Florida-based non-profit organization with a mission to empower individuals (especially youth) to lead in the response to climate change and other environmental challenges. Through their Green Schools Challenge, Dream in Green provides environmental education for schools with students in Pre-K through grade 12, providing science-based, relevant information through joint lessons that outline the problems facing South Florida’s waters. They also place a powerful focus on how students themselves can come up with solutions to these problems.

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This month’s event, Finding a Future in STEM, provided students with a unique look at four distinct pathways to careers in marine conservation. Public Allies Fellow and Dream in Green Special Programming Coordinator, Mareike Van Wie, asked four Ocean Conservancy staff members to share a glimpse into their journey to their current profession in ocean conservation.

Check out these highlights from the event, and be sure to watch the whole video on YouTube at the end of this blog!

Jon Paul “J.P.” Brooker

Director, Florida Conservation

© Ocean Conservancy

An attorney by training and member of the Florida Bar Association, J.P.’s career started with a deep passion and interest in the Florida marine environment. A native Floridian, he was born and raised on the state’s East Coast in Brevard County and grew up on Indian River Lagoon. Throughout his life, he’s seen that Florida’s waterways are deeply affected by pollution and development, and knew from a young age that he wanted to fight on behalf of Florida’s iconic wilderness. Now, as he leads our Florida Conservation program, he’s set himself on a career that has enabled him to be as influential as possible in Florida politics and policy.

Erica Nuñez

Senior Manager, Plastics Initiatives

© Erica Nuñez

Erica describes her journey to her current professional role as non-traditional. She originally thought she wanted to be a lawyer, but after getting a job working for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) in Florida, her eyes were opened to the world of ocean conservation, regional ocean policy and what it means to truly protect the ocean. Then, Erica received the opportunity to work on ocean conservation issues on a national level in Washington, D.C. Not long after that, she quickly realized she was fascinated by broader-scale work, including at the international level. She has enjoyed working in two worlds simultaneously, working on projects that seek solutions to the plastics problem while also getting to do policy work, where she speaks with businesses and governments from around the world about how they can protect our ocean. Erica shares that it was both the chance to talk to people of varied backgrounds and being open to learning that helped her truly find her passion for ocean conservation.

Allison Schutes

Director, International Coastal Cleanup

© Ocean Conservancy

Allison is incredibly passionate about her job, and basically gets to do beach cleanups for a living! She always knew she didn’t want the typical 9-5 desk job, and now, her career enables her to work with national and local organizations, corporations and colleagues while traveling the world to document exactly what marine debris is finding its way to beaches and into the ocean. Her team’s mission is to document and remove those things. At the start of her conservation journey, Allison intended to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies but ended up majoring in psychology after moving through several majors. She found her niche in marine education, and after working with children at an aquarium for six years, she went to graduate school with the intention of being a city planner. But the ocean just kept calling her back, and nine years ago, she found her current job in ocean plastics work with Ocean Conservancy. “I haven’t looked back since,” Allison shared.

Jacob Petersen

Associate Director, Events and Partnerships 

© Ocean Conservancy

At Ocean Conservancy, Jacob’s role largely focuses on event planning and raising money for the organization so that we can continue to do the critical conservation work our ocean relies on. Like Erica, Jacob also describes his professional journey as unconventional. Born in Germany to an Air Force family, he lived in seven different states growing up, including Florida. It was there that some of his earliest and most cherished memories were formed near the ocean, where he grew a love for the sea that has fueled his fascination and interest in a career in the environmental sector. After earning a degree in anthropology and sociology, Jacob worked in events management for a number of years, and eventually had the honor of working for his childhood hero: primatologist Jane Goodall! Jacob has now worked for Ocean Conservancy for a few years and leads the planning and execution of organizational events with corporate partners, donors, celebrities and more.

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As you can see, while many careers in conservation begin with degrees in the science field, not all of them begin identically! From cleanup directing to policy and legal work and even to special event management, the potential paths to a field incorporating STEM and the natural world are truly endless. Watch the full recording of Finding a Future in STEM below, and be sure to follow Dream in Green’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest opportunities to learn more about ways to make waves in conservation, both professionally and every day.

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10 Stunning Photos That’ll Leave You Speechless This Earth Day

No matter where in the world you look, there are places throughout our globe that showcase the beauty, power and wonder of our ocean and its majestic creatures like no other. Our blue planet is home to an unbelievably diverse list of creatures of all colors, forms and sizes, and the ability that our natural world has to inspire is truly remarkable. Today, we want to share with you just a few photos that are evidence of the magic that graces our seas and shores, both on Earth Day and every day. Dive in and take a look!

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Albatross display their strength and agility as they swoop through overcast skies.

© @Fer_Nando via Unsplash

Location: Falkland Islands

A pair of Hawaiian monk seals rest on the warm shores of the French Frigate Shoals.

© NOAA/PIFSC/HMSRP

Location: French Frigate Shoals, Hawaiian Islands

This jaw-droppingly colorful cleaner shrimp presents with colors as vibrant as a rainbow.

© Mark Thornberry

Location: Curacao, Netherland Antilles

An adorable piping plover chick gets comfortable and nestles up next to its mother.

© Ray Hennessy

Location: Middleton, New Jersey

A mother humpback whale swims alongside her calf, safeguarding it from harm.

© Elianne Dipp

Location: The waters of Tonga

Alongside its siblings, a leatherback hatchling begins its journey from sand to sea.

© Jolo Diaz

Location: Puerto Rico

A King penguin gazes into the distance as the sun illuminates its chilly home.

© Ian Parker

Location: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

A group of manatees travel like a family of mermaids off the coast of the Sunshine State.

© David Gross

Location: Florida

A show-stopping sea slug shows off its colors in the waters of the Caribbean.

© William Goodwin

Location: Cozumel

A mesmerizing aerial photo of Australia’s vibrant Great Barrier Reef.

© The Ocean Agency

Location: Great Barrier Reef

As you can see, there is certainly no shortage when it comes to the natural marvels our ocean makes possible every single day. But just as the subjects of these photos depend on our blue planet to provide for them, our blue planet is depending on us to make sure she’s healthy for years to come. Donate today to help us work to achieve just that, then visit our Action Center to learn all the latest ways you can make waves for our ocean!

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What We’re Celebrating About Our Blue Planet This Earth Day

Team Ocean Conservancy is excited to share why and how we’re all celebrating our ocean this Earth Day. We know how important it is to focus on the critical role our ocean plays in the overall health and wellbeing of our planet as a whole. At the end of the day, if it weren’t for our ocean, we wouldn’t have the planet that we do. Without the seas, there is no Earth.

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We asked Ocean Conservancy staff to share what inspires them most about our ocean. Why they see the ocean as critical to a thriving world and what they’re celebrating this Earth Day. Read below to learn what our team members have to say about the sheer awe, wonder and power that our ocean provides, both on Earth Day and every day!

“The ocean’s rich and abundant life is an amazing gift that keeps on giving. This Earth Day, I’m celebrating the life it sustains and the hope and good will that we will act responsibly to safeguard it for all generations to come. When I look at the ocean, I see how truly magnificent it is—the expanse of it, the richness of it, but perhaps more fundamental, I also see that our communities, our livelihoods and our lives all depend on a healthy ocean.”

Patricia Chambers

Arctic Digital Manager (Bellingham, WA)

“There’s a reason Earth is called the blue planet. The ocean covers 70% of its surface, and we can’t expect to keep the planet healthy if 70% of it is under threat. Recently, I also realized I haven’t been on a beach or by the ocean in over a year. This Earth Day, it’s really calling to me, so I’m celebrating the yearning feeling I have to be seaside as soon as possible, hopefully this summer!”

Jordana Lewis

Senior Communications Manager (Spokane, WA)

“This Earth Day, I’m celebrating the “unknowns” of our ocean. We are always learning more about it and its unique wildlife, as well as its ability to be a resource to heal our planet. I feel that the ocean is often neglected because there is so much about it we don’t know, even though it sustains us with crucial food, provides livelihoods and helps regulate our entire environment. We need to do more to understand the ocean, protect it and use it sustainably.”

Keri Browder

Cities Project Director (Washington, DC)

“In my eyes, the ocean is the great provider, and that’s what I’m celebrating this Earth Day. It gives us at least half of the air we breathe, provides us with food and gives countless organisms a home to live and grow in. It also helps connect all of us together. The ocean is the lifeblood of our planet and our society.”

Rafeed Hussain

Ocean Planning Program Coordinator and Special Assignments Photographer (Washington, DC)

“I’m celebrating the diversity of wildlife and ecosystems beneath the water and along our coasts this Earth Day. It wasn’t until I got directly involved with ocean conservation and climate change that I truly understood how critical the ocean is for the overall health of our planet—for producing oxygen, for maintaining the global food chain, for regulating our water cycle and weather. It’s also a huge source of inspiration!”

Melissa Kaminski

Portfolio Manager for Foundations and Individual Philanthropy (Washington, DC)

“Without the ocean, we wouldn’t have an Earth to protect. My favorite thing about the ocean is its capacity to heal, and this Earth Day, I’m celebrating our blue planet by furthering my commitment to protecting our seas for my kids and future generations.”

Megan Montemurno

Digital Outreach Manager (Washington, DC)

“I love the vastness of our ocean. It puts everything into perspective, and that’s worth celebrating. As John F. Kennedy said: We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea—whether it is to sail or to watch it—we are going back from whence we came.”

Sarah Sorenson

Director, Individual Philanthropy (San Diego, CA)

“It’s a wonder our blue planet wasn’t named “Ocean” in the first place. The ocean is the heart of our planet—she regulates climate, safeguards us from ourselves by absorbing the majority of our carbon dioxide emissions and resulting excess heat. She provides food, energy, entertainment … and so much more. This Earth Day, I’m celebrating our ocean’s resilience and power. It’s something I think we can all draw from, especially now. She is resilient and powerful, and she will be okay in the end if we choose to make the right choices and fight for her now. ”

Whitney Berry

Senior Manager of Climate Policy (Sacramento, CA)

“All life is dependent on the ocean. This Earth Day, I’m celebrating the many collective and individual efforts that I know are happening right now, both with our Trash Free Seas Alliance members and other partners, as well as throughout the world that are going to make a collective impact for the better.”

Edith Cecchini

Project Director, Corporate Strategy and Policy (Washington, DC)

“This Earth Day, I’m celebrating the increased awareness and public attention to the ocean and the natural environment during pandemic life, and the opportunities for transformative change presented by thinking differently as we emerge from the pandemic. The thing I love most about our ocean is its inexorability—it is impossible to stop.”

Janis Searles Jones

CEO (Portland, Oregon)

As you read through all those amazing quotes from Ocean Conservancy staff, you will notice there’s one common thread that ties all of us together in the fight to protect our ocean: our blue planet needs our help. The power of one becomes a mighty wave of change when we all come together and give all that we can in the fight to protect the future of our Earth and our ocean.

Will you join us in this movement? Learn how to make a donation in honor of Earth Day, and visit our Action Center to gain access to a variety of ways you can make a change for the sea right now, no matter where you are in the world. Last but not least, don’t forget to sign up for our email list to make sure you’re always up-to-date on ways you can be an advocate and champion for our ocean!

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