Today is World Oceans Day! It’s a day dedicated to protecting and celebrating our amazing oceans! Our oceans are one of our greatest assets in mitigating the effects of climate change, so protecting it is extremely important. To celebrate World Oceans Day, you can educate yourself, choose actions to help protect the ocean, and support ocean conservation organizations. Here are 5 ways to celebrate:

1. Attend an Oceans Day Virtual Event
2. Watch an Ocean Film
3. Skip the Seafood
4. Refuse Single-Use Plastics
5. Support an Ocean Organization

1. Attend an Oceans Day Virtual Event

Normally, there are many in-person Oceans Day events but things aren’t so normal this year, so there are plenty of virtual events. This is a great opportunity to “go to” events you normally wouldn’t have access to due to location or time limitations. The UN has a list of all the global virtual events you can view.

From lectures to tours of art galleries and film screenings, there are many events for you to learn about the vastness of our oceans.

2. Watch an Ocean Film

Speaking of film screenings, I love watching ocean movies. If I can’t be in the ocean, seeing a stunning film of all the colorful fish is the next best option.

3. Skip the Seafood

I love seafood. Clams and lobster are on the top of my favorite foods list. However, being an ocean activist, I generally only eat these a few times a year during a special occasion. I’m sure it sounds obvious but limiting our seafood consumption helps sustain ocean ecosystems.

If you do choose seafood, make sure you eat lower on the chain (i.e. smaller prey fish) and sustainable options. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has an established Seafood Watch Guide that’s helpful when people sustainable seafood options.

4. Refuse Single-Use Plastics

I hope since you’re reading my blog, you’re already making an effort to do this but to celebrate World Oceans Day how about you kick it up a notch? Can you give up plastic beverage bottles or commit to brewing coffee at home instead of getting coffee at Starbucks? Small commitments made over time can make a big difference!

5. Support an Ocean Organization

The ocean covers the majority of our planet and there’s a lot of it to protect. Such a monumental tasks takes a monumental effort. So, supporting ocean organizations is key to preserving our ocean.

I’ve been a long time volunteer of the Surfrider Foundation. They do amazing work to protect our waters. Other great organizations I’ve worked with include:

• Plastic Pollution Coalition
• Heal the Bay
• Oceana
• Ocean Conservancy
• Monterey Bay Aquarium

What do you think? Can you do all these today? What are some of the ways you celebrate World Oceans Day? Tell me in the comments!

For related and random posts, check out:

• 10 Ways to Protect the Ocean
• 50 Ways to Be Green For Earth Day