Caring for the planet can sometimes feel overwhelming, but making a difference doesn’t always require big actions or major life changes. Small, everyday choices can add up—especially when we all take part. Here are five simple ways to make an environmental impact and support a healthier planet and ocean.
- Host a shoreline cleanup in your community
Every year, an estimated 11 million tons of plastic enter the ocean. But you can still make a difference, even if you don’t live by the coast. Shoreline cleanups can happen anywhere water meets land: along lakes, rivers, streams and even wetlands.
Hosting a cleanup with friends, coworkers or classmates is a fun and rewarding way to protect local wildlife. Every piece of trash removed helps keep your community beautiful and prevents that waste from ever reaching the ocean. - Say no to fast fashion
You can extend the life of your wardrobe by repairing or up-cycling old pieces and only replacing items when they’re truly worn out. Consider buying most of your clothes second-hand or checking thrift stores first whenever you need something new. Hosting a clothing swap or taking a mending class with friends can be fun ways to refresh your style sustainably. - Cut down on single-use plastics
Only nine per cent of single-use plastics are recycled, with most ending up in landfills or the ocean. Choosing plastic-free packaging, as well as buying in bulk, are two ways to start reducing plastic use. Another is by getting the “big four” reusable items: coffee mug, shopping bag, water bottle and straw. By switching to reusable items, people can help prevent countless disposable items from entering the environment. - Start a conservation project
It can be easier than you think to find a project that can inspire others and create lasting change. You could start a local cleanup club, organize an art show celebrating people’s connection to nature or create a community garden that supports pollinators. There are even funding opportunities, like the Ocean Action Grant, to help you bring your ideas to life and make an even bigger impact. - Support environmental causes in your community
Change often starts small and local, and simply speaking can be a powerful way to help create it. You can lend your voice to the causes that matter most to you by taking steps like volunteering with a local environmental organization, attending a community meeting about conservation initiatives or writing to local leaders to support sustainable policies.
No matter where you live or how you get started, every action counts. Together, small steps can lead to big waves of change. You can find inspiration, resources and ways to take action for our ocean and planet at ocean.org/youth.