Today, nearly 50% of the world’s population sees the ocean as their means of livelihood. The ocean also serves as the backbone of a large portion of the global economy, supporting industries like international shipping, fisheries, and tourism. This is way its is a necessity to keep oceans clean.
However, based on statistics, 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste are in our oceans, causing harm to more than 100 million marine species every year. This demonstrates how the constant threat of heat, pollution, acidification, and oxygen loss to our oceans.
Over the years, some companies have also emerged to clean the oceans and ensure it is safe from pollution. This article will go over why it is necessary to keep oceans clean along with a list of organizations that ensure our oceans are clean.
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Why is it fundamental to keep oceans clean
The ocean is so essential to life but many people may not be conscious of the activities that affect it. Even though oceans get polluted with runoff from rain or snow, oil spills, wastes, and man-made pesticides or herbicides, more than 3 billion people still feed from what the ocean provides.
The cost of ocean pollution is $13 billion, which includes costs for cleanup, lost revenue from fishing, and different sectors. Hence a more good reason to always keep our oceans clean.
8 great companies that keep oceans clean
Here are 8 among the inspiring companies and programs that advocate for protecting the oceans and seas and actively clean them.
1. Environmental Defense Fund
The Environmental Defense Fund, also known as EDF has its headquarters in New York. It supports fishing communities worldwide and creates new, cutting-edge technology to enhance livelihoods while protecting the ocean.
They are also known for their work in sectors of climate, energy, ecosystem, and health, and always put the communities at the center of the game-changing solutions they provide.
2. Ocean Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy aims to inform the public and advocate for the preservation of unique marine habitats, the restoration of sustainable fisheries, and, most critically, a decrease in the effects of human activity on ocean ecosystems.
Originally known as Delta Conservancy, then later renamed to the Center for Environmental Education and also the Center for Marine Conservation, it was founded in 1972 and for many years has brought together millions of global volunteers to clean beaches across the world via an International Coastal Cleanup program.
3. Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit environmental organization, has grown to become one of the significant grass-root organizations that aim to improve the quality of water and pollution and sustain the ecosystem, seashore, and access to beaches.
Since its founding in the 1980s, it has added many volunteers committed to protecting the world’s beaches and seas while also educating the public about the quality condition of their local water.
4. Raw Elements, USA
Raw Elements is a US-based organization that emphasizes shielding the ocean from toxic pollutants.
In 2010, it established World Reef Day and celebrates every 1st day of June to keep the world aware of the ocean ecosystem and the need to protect it.
5. Ocean Cleanup
The Ocean Cleanup has been making its research and development for many years now but got its first successful launch in 2019.
It is a nonprofit organization that aims to clear the oceans of its present plastic pollution by mass.
6. Fahlo
Fahlo is known for its bracelets that support conservation of ocean animals. The bracelet allows participants to track and protect wildlife and also helps people learn more about certain ocean animals like sharks and sea turtles.
Also, the organization has contributes to sustainability by donating 10% of its profits to its partners including Saving the Blue, Sea Turtle Conservancy, Polar Bears International,
7. Oceana
The Oceana was founded in 2001 in Washington D.C and is committed to saving and restoring oceans through targeted policy campaigns as the largest international advocacy organization.
The campaigns help to prevent overfishing and reduce ocean pollution and other damage to sea life resulting from industrial fishing and pollution. And also aims to conserve places in the oceans like the Arctic, the Aleutian Islands, the Mediterranean, and Chile’s Juan Fernandez Islands.
8. Take 3
Take 3 has helped to eliminate millions of pounds of plastic garbage by urging beachgoers to carry three items of trash with them when they leave the beach and areas near any waterways or bodies of water. The organization informs the public about the ocean risk of dirty oceans, encouraging them to also participate.
Keeping oceans clean is key to tackle climate change
While so many people use plastics daily and more wastes pollute the oceans, some other people are looking to make the ocean a better environment for marine life, which ultimately benefits us all.
Anyone can decide to join organizations saddled with the vision to see a pollutant-free ocean or can choose to join a community of volunteer work for beach clean-ups and conservation programs. It’s a great way to prevent oceans from waste pollutants and clean already polluted oceans.
Read also: Zero waste movement: what is it and how to apply it
