How to take action on
protecting the ocean
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In partnership with
"The ocean is the cornerstone of Earth's life support system, it shapes climate and weather. It holds most of life on Earth."
The ocean is our planet’s life support system—regulating climate, producing over half the oxygen we breathe, and supporting billions of people and marine species. Protecting it means reducing plastic and chemical pollution, restoring coastal ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs, enforcing sustainable fishing, and defending marine biodiversity from deep-sea mining and exploitation.
Stopping plastic and chemical pollution at the source is essential to restoring ocean health. This means shifting responsibility from consumers to producers by regulating the plastics industry, phasing out single-use products, and enforcing extended producer responsibility. It also requires investment in waste and water treatment infrastructure that can prevent pollution before it reaches waterways. At the policy level, governments can ban or restrict toxic chemicals, incentivise the redesign of products for reuse, and support international agreements that cap plastic production and reduce marine waste. By targeting the systems that generate pollution — not just its symptoms — we can protect marine biodiversity and create cleaner, safer oceans for future generations.
Seaweed is one of the most efficient natural tools for drawing down carbon. It grows rapidly, requires no fertilisers or freshwater, and absorbs CO₂ as it grows. Supporting seaweed farming helps reduce ocean acidification, restore marine ecosystems, and create sustainable coastal livelihoods. As seaweed is harvested, it can also be used as a nutritious, low-impact food source — making eating seaweed a delicious byproduct of climate action. From small-scale community farms to national pilot programmes, seaweed deserves greater recognition as a scalable nature-based climate solution.
Industrial overfishing has pushed many marine ecosystems to the brink, with over a third of global fish stocks now overexploited. In UK waters, species like cod, herring, and scallops are already at risk. But marine life can bounce back — often surprisingly quickly — when given the chance. By choosing sustainably sourced seafood, supporting low-impact local fisheries, and campaigning for strong, well-enforced Marine Protected Areas, we can restore ocean biodiversity and build more resilient coastal communities. Thriving seas are good for both people and planet.
Coastal communities have long lived in relationship with the sea — shaping it and being shaped by it. Seascapes are not just ecological zones but cultural landscapes, rich with memory, identity, and tradition. Framing them as “heritage seascapes” opens up new avenues for legal and cultural protection, similar to ancient woodlands or historic buildings. In places like Scotland, the sea has influenced language, livelihoods, and storytelling — from selkie myths to Hebridean fishing songs. Recognising this heritage deepens community stewardship, supports local leadership in marine protection, and affirms the deep, intangible connections that bind people to the ocean.
Coastal communities must be active participants — not afterthoughts — in the shift to sustainable ocean economies. A just transition means investing in low-impact livelihoods like seaweed farming and restorative aquaculture, providing support for skills training, and protecting cultural traditions tied to the sea. Recognising the deep knowledge held by those who’ve worked these waters for generations ensures that coastal communities are co-creators of ocean solutions, rather than casualties of change.
The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the climate, absorbing around 25-30% of global CO₂ emissions. Blue carbon ecosystems — such as seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, salt marshes, and kelp forests — are some of the most powerful natural tools for carbon drawdown. These ecosystems capture and store CO₂ both in the plant biomass and the sediments beneath, providing an essential service in the fight against climate change. Protecting and restoring these habitats offers a scalable, nature-based solution for mitigating ocean acidification and reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels.
Stopping plastic and chemical pollution at the source is essential to restoring ocean health. This means shifting responsibility from consumers to producers by regulating the plastics industry, phasing out single-use products, and enforcing extended producer responsibility. It also requires investment in waste and water treatment infrastructure that can prevent pollution before it reaches waterways. At the policy level, governments can ban or restrict toxic chemicals, incentivise the redesign of products for reuse, and support international agreements that cap plastic production and reduce marine waste. By targeting the systems that generate pollution — not just its symptoms — we can protect marine biodiversity and create cleaner, safer oceans for future generations.
Seaweed is one of the most efficient natural tools for drawing down carbon. It grows rapidly, requires no fertilisers or freshwater, and absorbs CO₂ as it grows. Supporting seaweed farming helps reduce ocean acidification, restore marine ecosystems, and create sustainable coastal livelihoods. As seaweed is harvested, it can also be used as a nutritious, low-impact food source — making eating seaweed a delicious byproduct of climate action. From small-scale community farms to national pilot programmes, seaweed deserves greater recognition as a scalable nature-based climate solution.
Industrial overfishing has pushed many marine ecosystems to the brink, with over a third of global fish stocks now overexploited. In UK waters, species like cod, herring, and scallops are already at risk. But marine life can bounce back — often surprisingly quickly — when given the chance. By choosing sustainably sourced seafood, supporting low-impact local fisheries, and campaigning for strong, well-enforced Marine Protected Areas, we can restore ocean biodiversity and build more resilient coastal communities. Thriving seas are good for both people and planet.
Coastal communities have long lived in relationship with the sea — shaping it and being shaped by it. Seascapes are not just ecological zones but cultural landscapes, rich with memory, identity, and tradition. Framing them as “heritage seascapes” opens up new avenues for legal and cultural protection, similar to ancient woodlands or historic buildings. In places like Scotland, the sea has influenced language, livelihoods, and storytelling — from selkie myths to Hebridean fishing songs. Recognising this heritage deepens community stewardship, supports local leadership in marine protection, and affirms the deep, intangible connections that bind people to the ocean.
Coastal communities must be active participants — not afterthoughts — in the shift to sustainable ocean economies. A just transition means investing in low-impact livelihoods like seaweed farming and restorative aquaculture, providing support for skills training, and protecting cultural traditions tied to the sea. Recognising the deep knowledge held by those who’ve worked these waters for generations ensures that coastal communities are co-creators of ocean solutions, rather than casualties of change.
The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the climate, absorbing around 25-30% of global CO₂ emissions. Blue carbon ecosystems — such as seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, salt marshes, and kelp forests — are some of the most powerful natural tools for carbon drawdown. These ecosystems capture and store CO₂ both in the plant biomass and the sediments beneath, providing an essential service in the fight against climate change. Protecting and restoring these habitats offers a scalable, nature-based solution for mitigating ocean acidification and reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels.
Protecting the ocean starts with meaningful actions that contribute to its health. Whether you’re supporting marine conservation efforts or advocating for sustainable policies, these actions empower you to take impactful steps towards safeguarding ocean ecosystems and preserving marine life for future generations.
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