You are part of the Hands shoal!
You enjoy the activities the Ocean has to offer and use it as a creative space. You visit the Ocean to have fun! You work to create a healthy ocean for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
Go with the flow! Gradually build your pro-Ocean habits on your #thinkOcean journey…
Step 1: Reduce the amount of single-use plastic
Why?
This helps to conserve raw materials and protects natural habitats for the future, saves energy and reduces the amount of rubbish going to landfill.
How?
Invest in reusable bottles, cups and bags for when you are out and about or shopping. Check if there are alternative to the plastic wrapped food item you are about to put in your basket. Buy soap, shampoo and conditioner bars and bamboo toothbrushes to cut down plastic use in your bathroom.
Step 2: Do a beach clean
Why?
The plastic that ends up on our beaches can be washed out to sea and travel all around the world. While it’s travelling, some of it breaks down into microplastic (super tiny bits) and this ends up in the food chain, something to think about while tucking into your fish and chips.
How?
Join an organised beach clean or set one up yourself, take along some gloves, a bin bag or some litter pickers if you have some handy. Have a look at what you collect, how old is the oldest piece of litter you find? Don’t have much time? Carry a bag (a reusable tote bag of course!) in your pocket wherever you go and pick up the litter you find along the way.
Step 3: Raise money for charity with a sponsored walk or swim
Why?
One of the most effective things you can do is to financially support non-profit organisations that are there day in and day out working on both a public and political level to save and protect our Ocean.
How?
Pick an Ocean charity that you love (ehem Ocean Conservation Trust) and set up a fundraiser. While you are at it tell your friends and family about the #thinkOcean challenge.
Step 4: Volunteer for hands-on work or advocacy
Why?
Your time is just as valuable as donations to some Ocean charities. The skills you can bring to a conservation organisation are invaluable to them and the work they are doing to protect the Ocean.
How?
There are lots of different ways to get involved (you are doing it right now) from citizen science projects to long term volunteering there is something for everyone and every little helps. Find your local Ocean conservation charity and drop them an email.
Step 5: Encourage your workplace to go blue
Why?
As well as individual action, organisations can make a huge difference. From energy use through to what stationary they buy, the place you work or go to school has an impact on the health of the Ocean.
How?
Some ideas are: reducing electricity use, choosing more environmentally friendly cleaning products, going paperless, setting up a recycling system, switching from using plastic coffee filter cups to ground coffee, and looking at how everyone gets to work.
Step 6: Walk, cycle or take the bus when you can.
Why?
Being car free is considered to be one of the highest impacting personal choices you can make to reduce climate change.
How?
Try walking, cycling or taking the bus one day a week to start and slowly build it up. Find what works for you, it should be an easy switch so that you can stick to it.
Step 7: Explore the Ocean for yourself.
Why?
Jacques-Yves Cousteau once said “people protect what they love”, and we totally agree!
How?
Get outside and explore the Ocean near you! If you don’t live near the Ocean, visit your local lake or river – it’s all connected to the Ocean and when you visit you will be too. The Ocean Conservation Trust has lots of experiences you can get involved in here.
Let us know what you are doing and share your successes on social media, use #thinkocean and tag us in your post!
Congratulations! You have made it to the last step, but your journey doesn’t end here, keep trying some new pro-Ocean habits and continue to support a healthy Ocean. If you have signed up to our emails, we will keep you updated with good news stories for some inspiration and some new challenges to try!
