How to help our oceans
If The Deep: Plastic Ocean SOS and Blue Planet have inspired you to help out our oceans, this is the page for you! Check out our top tips below for some easy ways you can get involved with ocean conservation.
Take part in a beach clean
The next time you head to the seaside, grab your grown up and ask them to help you do a quick beach clean. Pick up any litter you find and dispose of it in a bin. Even taking just two minutes out from building sandcastles to pick up some litter can make a huge difference.
Safety first: Make sure you stay with your grown up at all times and never try to pick up anything sharp or dangerous.
Reduce plastic use
It's estimated that around eight million metric tonnes of plastic enters our oceans every year. There are things we can all do to reduce the amount of plastic that we use;
Recycle plastic waste at home where possible
Remember to take reusable bags to the shops instead of getting new ones each time
Try to avoid 'single use plastics' (things you only use once then throw away) these include drinking straws and cotton buds with plastic sticks
Avoid microbeads
Did you know that a lot of household products contain microbeads? These tiny particles of plastic are in some face scrubs, body washes and even toothpaste! When these products are washed away down the sink the small bits of plastic end up in the sea.
In 2018, the UK government banned the manufacturing of products containing microbeads, as well as the sale of products containing microbeads.
Report your sightings
There are lots of organisations that study marine life and you can help them out by letting them know if you spot anything cool whilst at the beach!
You might see things like shark eggs, seaweed, even dolphins and whales - ask a grown up to help you look online for the best organisation to report your sighting to.
Help the environment
Helping the environment is really important for our oceans. Even slight changes in things like temperature and carbon dioxide levels can have serious knock-on effects for marine life.
Recycle. Every time a new plastic bottle or glass jar is produced it uses energy and that energy can release more harmful gasses into the environment. Are you a recycling expert? Take the recycling quiz!
Reduce your carbon footprint. See if you can walk or cycle to school or, if you need to take the car, buddy up to share lifts with your friends.
Unplug your electronics! If you leave your phone charger plugged in and switched on at the wall it will be using electricity; even when your phone isn't plugged in.
How will you be an ocean hero?
What things will you do to help our oceans? No matter how big or how small it is everything makes a difference. Let us know in the comments below!