Written by Cecilia Santis, LMC College Ambassador, The Catholic University of America
Here at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, we do our very best to spread awareness about ocean and sea turtle conservation. One of the ways we do that is by educating people about how they can cut down waste and make a positive impact on the environment. Although we are based in Juno Beach, Florida, our conservation projects and partners – including the Ocean Conservancy – extend beyond the Sunshine State to engage people in the importance of protecting our environment.
In the heart of Washington, D.C. sits the headquarters of the Ocean Conservancy, an international non-profit ocean conservation organization. Like LMC, the Ocean Conservancy is engaged in advocacy for our oceans by communicating the reality that the ocean’s health has a major impact not only on marine life, but on people as well. Their mission is to be “a voice for the ocean” and encourage citizens to be proactive. And did you know? LMC Chief Conservation Officer Tommy Cutt recently traveled to Hong Kong for a beach clean-up and marine debris conference in partnership with the Ocean Conservancy.
Whether you can also help out at a beach clean-up or simply cut down your waste at home, every bit counts, pulling us forward in a giant leap for our planet’s well-being. Even small things such as the air we breathe can be affected by the health of our world ocean. How so? Fifty percent of our oxygen comes from the ocean. A simple act of life, like the air you breathe – no matter where you may live on our blue planet – comes from the ocean. Now just think – if more people knew about this, don’t you think they would care a little bit more?
Unfortunately, unawareness is one of the biggest barriers in properly protecting the ocean. Because the health of our seas impacts marine life and people – including future generations – ocean conservation education is so imperative. It’s the reason why various non-profits – like LMC and the Ocean Conservancy – hold it to the utmost importance.
A few of the ways we suggest getting involved is through not only supporting organizations that promote ocean conservation, but also through volunteer work. Volunteering can mean organizing a beach clean-up in your area, participating in the large-scale International Coastal Clean-up or even informing and educating others around you about the crucial importance of protecting our waters.
Whether or not you live by the ocean, we are all connected to the sea. Protect it, and it will protect you.