Whether or not you live on the coast, everyone is affected by the state of the ocean. The ocean controls the weather, provides food and mineral wealth, and contains biological resources. You can make a difference for the health of the ocean simply by following these 10 tips or by using the guides below to start living blue.
• Explore an ocean park. There are many ocean and coastal parks in the National Park Service.
• Volunteer. Join a beach cleanup or become a National Park Service volunteer to help keep our oceans clean.
• Eat sustainable food. Fisheries are collapsing and are at risk of not recovering. Read our guide on sustainable seafood to educate yourself.
• Reduce energy use. Carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels , such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is making our oceans acidic. There are many simple ways you can reduce your energy use; read our guide to learn a few.
• Use reusable plastics. Plastic debris in the oceans degrades marine habitats and contributes to the death of many marine animals.
• Properly dispose of hazardous materials. Motor oil and other hazardous materials often end up washing into coastal areas because they aren’t disposed of properly. Be sure to dispose of hazardous waste in an environmentally safe way.
• Use less fertilizer. Excess fertilizer usually ends up in the ocean. Remember, more is usually not better.
• Pick up litter on the beach. Don’t let your day at the beach contribute to the destruction of our oceans. Bring a trash bag with for your garbage.
• Buy ocean-friendly products. Avoid products produced using unsustainable or environmentally harmful methods.
• Share what you’ve learned. Spread the word via social media about ongoing park issues, share your memories at our parks, and share your knowledge with those around you. Tag your posts and pictures with #oceansnps and start a conversation!