Ready to take action for the ocean?
Photo: Jess Loiterton / Pexels
You don’t need to be an expert or live near the ocean to make a difference. Every small action adds up, and this is your space to start.
This guide explores how our daily choices impact the ocean. It also offers practical actions you can take, no matter where you are.
Choose what speaks to you and come back for more inspiration:
Plastic pollution
Photo: Nelly Georgina Quijano Duarte / Climate Visuals
Plastic is everywhere. It’s cheap, versatile, and convenient — but it takes centuries to decompose.
In the meantime, it turns into microplastics. These tiny particles pollute our waterways and harm marine life. They also find their way into our food chain. Plastic is made from fossil fuels, which also contribute to climate change.
The presence of plastic in our ocean is on a constant rise. Even if you live hundreds of miles from the coast, the plastic you throw away could make its way into the sea.
The good news? You have more power than you think. Small swaps and smarter choices can have a big impact.
Key actions you can take:
1
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Say no to single-use plastics.
Single-use plastics, such as bags, straws, cutlery, and sachets, are used for only a few minutes. However, they can pollute our planet for centuries. In fact, they account for over 50% of plastic pollution in the ocean. Take a reusable bag, bottle, and cutlery set with you. Politely say no to plastic straws or sachets when they're offered.
Source:
UN Environment Programme2
.
Choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging.
A third of all plastic waste comes from packaging, and most of it is non-recyclable. Choose products with little or no plastic. Pick paper-wrapped items as alternatives. Also, shop at refill stores or markets when possible.
Source:
WWF3
.
Embrace reusable and refillable options.
Refillable systems, like shampoo stations and reusable coffee cups, reduce plastic waste and can save you money. Use your own containers for takeaway or visit refill shops for household items.
Source:
Ellen MacArthur Foundation4
.
Join or organise clean-ups.
Joining local clean-ups at beaches, parks, or rivers helps stop plastic from entering waterways. It also brings the community together. Even a small group can make a visible impact.
Source:
Ocean Conservancy5
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Avoid microplastics in everyday products.
Microplastics are polluting oceans and entering our food, water, and even our bodies. Avoid products with plastic, such as glitter and exfoliating beads. Also, use laundry filters or wash bags to catch microfibres from synthetic clothes.
Source:
IUCN6
.
Talk about it and influence others.
Your voice has more power than you think. Discuss plastic pollution with family or friends. Share how you're helping to reduce plastic. Whether in conversation or on social media, you can inspire others to do the same.
Source:
NRDC7
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Choose clothes made from natural fibres.
Washing synthetic clothes releases tiny plastic fibres. These fibres account for 35% of ocean microplastic pollution. Pick clothes made from cotton, linen, or bamboo. Wash them less often. Use cold water and air dry when possible.
8
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Refuse plastic at takeaway and street food vendors.
Takeaway and street food packaging, such as sachets and foam containers, often ends up in rivers and drains. Bring your own container and cutlery when eating on the go to cut down on this hard-to-manage waste.
9
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Support waste pickers and community recyclers.
In many parts of the world, informal waste pickers recover up to 60% of recyclables. Yet they often remain marginalised and underpaid. Support cooperatives that work with waste pickers. Also, sort your waste. This allows them and waste management companies to recover clean plastic more easily.
Source:
WIEGO10
.
Push for systemic change.
A handful of big brands drive most plastic pollution. Your voice counts. Sign petitions, email companies, and vote for policies that cut plastic at the source. Advocate for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies in your area. This will make producers accountable for plastic waste.
Source:
Break Free From Plastic
Photo: Nico Marin / Ocean Image Bank
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
I love doing sports in open environments, preferably surrounded by nature. But what you often see out there is too much litter. So why not combine these two interests, staying active and working for a cleaner environment? That’s why I practice plogging whenever I can. I carry a bag with me to pick up trash while running, for example. Sometimes, I even find boxes or bags among the litter that help me collect more. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to do something about this problem. It’s satisfying, and I believe it sets an example for those who see me, at the very least, it makes them curious about what I’m doing and why.
Carlos
Spain
Photo: Naja Bertolt Jensen / Ocean Image Bank
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
We have reduced our plastic use in our family: No plastic bags when buying fruit & grocery (reusable bag instead), no plastic bags when buying (fabric bags instead), no plastic water bottles (aluminium or crystal bottles instead). We still have a long walk in front of us, to reduce plastic packaging in food, difficult to find shops with that option.
Jaime
Spain
Photo: Cat To
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
Supported the Ocean Cleanup Project, minimized single use plastics, and repost and promote ocean conservation and awareness posts.
Heather
USA
Photo: Cat To
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
Moved to chemical free cleaning products, stopped buying jeans, switched to organic cotton and cut down on meat/fish consumption by 80%.
Teesta
India
Photo: Brian Yurasits / Ocean Image Bank
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
I mainly just try to reduce my plastic use when possible, because there’s nothing worse than seeing plastic floating around in the ocean and spoiling the otherwise pristine landscape.
Katie
USA
Photo: Copyright WWF South Africa
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
I decided to adopt a turtle in my daughters' names. After doing this I received an email from WWF with some info on this amazing animal, which I'll be showing to my daughters, I'm sure they'll love that. Also, I decided to update my linkedin profile with a photo mentioning that I adopted a turtle, maybe others will follow? For this animal or another one? Or any other type of donation to protect and restore marine ecosystems?
Caro
UK
Photo: Cat To
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
I planted 281,000 corals in Padangbai Bali. The incredible amount of marine life coming back to our restoration site is breathtaking and is the reason why I did it in the first place.
Leon
Indonesia
Photo: Cat To
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
Have overall tried leading a more sustainable lifestyle - cut down on seafood, almost no plastic, reduced unnecessary purchases.
Divya
India
Photo: Alex Mustard / Ocean Image Bank
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
Owning a small education project in Raja Ampat. I run an English education project in Raja Ampat, where we raise awareness about the ocean and coral reefs / sustainability.
My future goal is to create a 50 sqm zone of protected ocean in Misool Raja Ampat, as there still is a lot of cyanid fishing and shark finning there.
Elias
Indonesia
Photo: Cat To
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
Trying always to reduce my plastic use with refills in bulk section at grocery store and recycling it through Ridwell, who collects and distributes it to deck flooring manufacturer.
Behnosh
USA
Photo: Naja Bertolt Jensen / Ocean Image Bank
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
I am the founder of Vishisht Lifestyle. My brand offers natural skincare products made using clean and pure ingredients. The way we are helping the environment is we deliver all our products in Eco-friendly packaging such as glass jars, paper labels, paper tapes and corrugated boxes in an attempt to divert trash from landfills and oceans. Additionally, we also offer our customers the option to return their used jars. This helps promote a circular economy.
Namrata
India
Photo: Bernee
Be inspired
Ocean actions in your own words
My daughter did a self-initiated fundraiser, pitched on the why plastic has harmed the ocean, invited to be involved in the zero-waste campaign in SF. I created a campaign that appeals to an individual's heart and mind, leading them to take the right actions. They were also made out of recycled, reusable, and recyclable materials. I design and manufacturer sustainably. I am in the early stage of doing a new type of OpShop. Also, I had the privilege to share about this as a panel speaker at SF Green Festivals (by Green America) to advocate for the importance of designing creatively and manufacturing sustainably.
Bernee
Australia and USA
Photo: Asad Photo / Pexels
Individual actions matter — but we are stronger together.
Explore how to support organisations and ocean protectors already making waves.
Explore ConnectPhoto: Lorenzo Mittiga / Ocean Image Bank
