Ocean Conservancy

You’ve probably seen several headlines in the news about microplastics and all the wild places where scientists have found them—from the top of Mt. Everest to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, to inside our own bodies. Ocean Conservancy even released a report earlier this year about microplastics found in protein! But what are microplastics, really? And how can we prevent them? 👏 The single most effective way to reduce the amount of microplastics that end up in the environment is to make less plastic in the first place. 👏 Dive in with our own Britta Baechler, Ph.D. and Anja Malawi Brandon, PhD as they break down this mega-issue for our ocean and our planet, and what we can do to course correct. https://lnkd.in/g9TBQba6

It's International Whale Shark Day, and we're trying to raise $10,000 to protect the ocean where these awe-inspiring giants live! https://lnkd.in/eKD_vSe6 🐋🦈 Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh up to 20,000 pounds. That is the height of two giraffes stacked on top of each other and the weight of two elephants combined. 🦒🐘 Their mouths are three feet wide and hold more than 350 rows of teeth. But don’t be alarmed by their size—they won’t hurt you! Whale sharks are gentle giants. Donate today in honor of whale sharks and protect their habitat from the growing threats of plastics, climate change and risky drilling: https://lnkd.in/eKD_vSe6 📸: Indian Ocean Imagery/Canva

While plastic pollution and climate change may seem like separate issues, they are BOTH the consequence of the same root problem: fossil fuels.   Many countries are taking steps to transition off oil and gas as energy sources and switching to clean renewable energy, reducing fossil fuel-based plastics is lagging behind. Ocean Conservancy recently completed an analysis of coastal countries’ National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to understand whether and how plastics reduction is included as a climate mitigation and adaptation measure. The results are murky...   ▶ Only 14% of coastal countries directly mentioned plastics reduction, primarily focused on single-use plastics.  ▶ Of coastal countries, only 11% planned decarbonization efforts in the chemicals sector; in fact, a few of the countries that produce plastics also included plans to increase production.  ▶ 45% mentioned improving recycling (plastics and other materials); only 19% of countries included brief mentions of reuse, despite the potential for significant emissions reduction.    🚨 If we don't reduce our reliance on plastic, we risk locking in fossil fuel demand for generations to come. 🚨   With the next round of NDCs due by 2025, coastal countries have an opportunity to strengthen their commitments to reducing plastic production and committing to a circular economy. Learn more in our new report: https://lnkd.in/erXcmM7i

BREAKING: Gov. Ron DeSantis has halted his administration's plans to build pickleball courts, golf courses and hotels on Florida state parks due to overwhelming public backlash. 🗣 We've said it before and we'll say it again: When you speak out, you make change! 🗣 Thank you to everyone who opposed this egregious proposal to literally pave paradise and put up...MORE golf courses.    Read more from Emily L. Mahoney and Max Chesnes in the Tampa Bay Times. https://lnkd.in/dVX7pwjg

Want to know the basics of #microplastic and #microfibers? Much like plastic pollution does in the ocean, Anja Malawi Brandon, PhD and I break things down (up?) for you in our new blog ⬇️ Ocean Conservancy

🥱 While its scientific name is Greek for "giant yawner of the open sea," don't sleep on the megamouth shark! This elusive shark has been sighted only about 69 times in the wild. Dive into the deep, dark ocean and learn more: https://lnkd.in/dZci5F-H 📸: Marko Steffensen/Alamy Stock Photo

International Coastal Cleanup season is right around the corner! Be sure to save the date, download our Clean Swell app to record the trash you collect and make a plan to #SeaTheChange. 🚯 📲 👏 https://lnkd.in/gBu4dpi

‼ Take action for our ocean: https://lnkd.in/eBBr678S Fish are key players in our ocean ecosystems and important for people and economies worldwide. Fishing is a major component of food security and culture—fisheries put food on the table for billions of people, offer jobs and livelihoods for millions and help generate tourism to many coastal communities. That’s why fishery managers need to take action now to prepare United States fisheries for climate change. Climate change is already here, and it’s putting stress on our ocean and fishing communities and having major impacts on fisheries across the country. We must act now and call on NOAA Fisheries to ensure fishery managers can address climate change head-on. Add your name now before the comment period ends on Aug. 31: https://lnkd.in/eBBr678S 📸: United States Forest Service Alaska Region/flickr

New from Ocean Conservancy Florida Conservation Director Jon Paul (J.P.) Brooker in the Tampa Bay Times on Florida’s out-of-touch proposal for state parks. 👇 FLORIDIANS: Next Tuesday, Aug. 27, you have a chance to speak out against this egregious action. Below is a list of meetings for each state park proposal between 3:00-4:00 PM: 🗣️Hillsborough River State Park, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, Community Room D 🗣️Honeymoon Island State Park, The District, 11141 U.S. 19 N., Suite 204, Clearwater 🗣️Oleta River State Park, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay campus, Kovens Conference Center, Room 114, 3000 NE 151 Street North, Miami 🗣️Jonathan Dickinson State Park, The Flagler of Stuart, 201 SW Flagler Ave., River Room, Stuart 🗣️Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Downtown Event Center, 416 NE First St., Fort Lauderdale, Lecture Hall, Building C, second floor (Enter at Main Entrance B — clearly marked on the outside of the building) 🗣️Anastasia State Park, First Coast Technical College, The Character Counts Conference Center, Building C, 2980 Collins Ave., St. Augustine 🗣️Camp Helen State Park, Lyndell Conference Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City Beach 🗣️Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, The Lakehouse at the Watercolor Inn, 238 Watercolor Blvd. West, Santa Rosa Beach

New from Ocean Conservancy Florida Conservation Director Jon Paul (J.P.) Brooker in the Tampa Bay Times on Florida’s out-of-touch proposal for state parks. 👇 FLORIDIANS: Next Tuesday, Aug. 27, you have a chance to speak out against this egregious action. Below is a list of meetings for each state park proposal between 3:00-4:00 PM: 🗣️Hillsborough River State Park, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, Community Room D 🗣️Honeymoon Island State Park, The District, 11141 U.S. 19 N., Suite 204, Clearwater 🗣️Oleta River State Park, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay campus, Kovens Conference Center, Room 114, 3000 NE 151 Street North, Miami 🗣️Jonathan Dickinson State Park, The Flagler of Stuart, 201 SW Flagler Ave., River Room, Stuart 🗣️Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Downtown Event Center, 416 NE First St., Fort Lauderdale, Lecture Hall, Building C, second floor (Enter at Main Entrance B — clearly marked on the outside of the building) 🗣️Anastasia State Park, First Coast Technical College, The Character Counts Conference Center, Building C, 2980 Collins Ave., St. Augustine 🗣️Camp Helen State Park, Lyndell Conference Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City Beach 🗣️Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, The Lakehouse at the Watercolor Inn, 238 Watercolor Blvd. West, Santa Rosa Beach