You are part of the Heart shoal!
You love the Ocean and all its creatures. When you visit the beach or get into the sea you can feel it’s restorative benefits.
You work to create a healthy ocean because you feel that it is our responsibility and want to have a positive influence on this amazing place.
Go with the flow! Gradually build your pro-Ocean habits on your #thinkOcean journey…
Step 1: Cut down on your use of single-use plastic
Why?
This helps to conserve raw materials and protects natural habitats for the future, saving energy and reducing the amount of rubbish going to landfill. There are over 1,500 landfill sites in the UK alone, and in 2001, these sites produced a quarter of the UK’s emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Millions of tonnes of plastic are still entering the Ocean every year – we have to cut it off at source.
By reducing the amount we buy, reusing what we can and recycling what we can’t, we are allowing the Ocean to recover and support all life on Earth.
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. Share your successes on social media, use #thinkocean!
Step 2: Change your lightbulbs around the house for LED bulbs
Why?
The burning of fossil fuels to create the electricity we use in our daily life, increases the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. This contributes to climate change, warming the world’s Ocean and changing water chemistry.
How?
Research the brands affordable to you, you can change gradually as your old bulbs stop working.
Step 3: Cut down on all water use
Why?
Reducing the amount of water you use is good because less water needs to be pumped and treated, saving electricity (less CO2 for the Ocean to absorb) and reducing the use of chemicals (reduced plastic waste and danger to wildlife).
This also helps to secure water supply for the future and supports wildlife by removing less water from natural environments and the water cycle.
How?
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
- Be mindful of how long your showers are
- Collect rainwater to water your plants
- Only wash full loads in the washing machine
- Scrape off food from your dishes rather than rinse before you load the dishwasher
- Drink tap water instead of bottled water
Step 4: Take a fashion break.
Why?
Less plastic in the Ocean, less chemical runoff from industry, less pressure on the electricity being used in production and disposal. Less waste means a lessened effect on all of the natural systems of our planet – that can only be a good thing.
How?
Try just investing in one good quality item a month. These will last longer. If you are having a wardrobe cull, make sure you either recycle or donate your old clothes. If you must shop till you drop, try buying some pre-loved items, charity shops are a great place to start, not only are you supporting some great work, you are saving the Ocean too! Share your successes on social media, use #thinkocean!
Step 5: Think about what you eat
Why?
Just like trying to reduce waste in other parts of our daily life, reducing the pressure we put on meat production, carbon footprint and wild fish stocks will give the Ocean a fighting chance at reversing its cycle of decline.
How?
Not ready to go veggie just yet? Try committing to a meat-free diet one or two days a week to decrease the resources you use up. It takes about 750 litres of water to produce 1 kilogram of wheat, and it takes 100,000 litres of water to produce 1 kilogram of beef. That’s a huge difference. Already on the road to reducing your meat consumption? Trying to buy locally grown food. This reduces the carbon footprint of your food as it has travelled a shorter distance to get to you. Why not share a recipe you enjoyed on social media, use #thinkocean!
Step 6: Rewild your garden and help something green to grow!
Why?
Trees and other plants can help reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide, and ultimately reduce the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed into the ocean.
How?
You could plant a tree or if you are in a small space, window boxes are a great alternative. Even a small space in your garden for native wildlife can support our planet’s biodiversity.
Step 7: Explore the Ocean for yourself.
Why?
Jacques-Yves Cousteau once said “people protect what they love”, and we totally agree! There is also now a plethora of research that shows people are more likely to protect nature if they have experienced it first hand and see its value in their lives.
How?
You could plant a tree or if you are in a small space, window boxes are a great alternative. Even a small space in your garden for native wildlife can support our planet’s biodiversity.
Let us know what you are doing and share your successes on social media, use #thinkocean!
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!
