Is There Good News Ahead for the Ocean?
Join us in supporting — and fighting for — these three worthwhile initiatives

1.

World Oceans Day was first suggested in 1992 by Canada at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit; it officially launched a decade later. This annual celebration to draw attention to the plight of the world’s oceans hosted a handful of events that first year. Today, hundreds of events in more than 100 countries are held June 8 each year, and the day has become a global rallying point. And you gotta believe in the power of social media: In 2016, #WorldOceansDay trended second on Twitter, reaching more than 65 million people; Instagram posts reached more than 290 million people. Show your love for our oceans by using the hashtag this year too. The 2017 theme is “Our Oceans, Our Future.” Register your World Oceans Day event and learn more at worldoceandsday.org.

2.

On December 1, the Ross Sea, off the coast of Antarctica in the Southern Ocean, will be officially protected in the world’s first large-scale marine protected area in international waters. The United States, Russia, China, the European Union, plus 21 other countries signed the Antarctic Treaty at the annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources. Conservationists around the world hope that the Ross Sea is the first in what will eventually be the world’s largest network of marine protected areas. Up next: proposals to protect East Antarctic waters, the Weddell Sea and the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula. It’s crucial that the U.S. continues to support the treaty. Make sure your voice is heard at antarcticocean.org.

3.

It remains to be seen whether the ambitious, long-term goal set forth in the 2016 Paris Agreement on climate change can be met, but we are encouraged that nearly 200 countries agreed to reduce emissions and to convene every five years in an effort to address the goal and monitor progress. Eventually, the treaty signees hope to limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by human activity to the same levels that trees, soil and oceans can absorb naturally. Countries that signed the treaty span the globe, including the U.S., but as we went to press in late January, President Trump was expected to pull out, prompting protests from environmentalists. After agencies like the EPA were faced with a gag order on their Twitter accounts, several rogue accounts appeared. Join the rebellion: @ActualEPAFacts.

Protect the ocean — and your health — with these eco-friendly products

Seasoft Scuba Seabags
Lead is a known neurotoxin in humans, so it can’t be all that great for marine life. Seasoft designed its new Seabags to eliminate that threat. The lead shot in Seabags is coated with a catalyst and tumbled in graphite flakes to create a hard double coating that seals in lead and prevents it from oxidizing. The bags are made of rugged neoprene and sewn closed with heavy-duty nylon thread. seasoftscuba.com

OceanPositive Aruba Swimsuit
OceanPositive swimwear, made by Fourth Element, is a head-turner, sure, but its fabric is what caught our eye. The suits are made using recycled nylon from fishing nets abandoned in the sea. The material, which is also used in a series of OceanPositive rash guards, got the stamp of approval from Her Deepness, Sylvia Earle: “This demonstrates what we can, and should, do for the oceans.” oceanpositive.net

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

There are countless environmental groups you can support, but here are three worthy of your hard-earned dollars.

Project AWARE
There’s nothing better than actively supporting ocean conservation while diving. Project AWARE makes it easy to give back while having fun with its Dive Against Debris and Adopt a Dive Site programs. Take a personal stake in your favorite marine habitat and sign up for a Dive Against Debris at projectaware.org.

Greenpeace
These eco-warriors are in the trenches fighting a number of issues, including putting an end to the slaughter of whales and dolphins across the globe. Trust us: No issue is too tough for Greenpeace to go after. Learn more at greenpeace.org

Environmental Defense Fund
A nonprofit environmental advocacy group, EDF employs science, economics and the law to find lasting solutions to some of the most urgent problems on Earth. It scores high on Charity Navigator — which rates charities based on financial health and transparency — and uses 79 percent of its funds for program expenses. Donate at edf.org.