6 Home Habits for a Healthier Ocean
Published on 10/1/24
Written by Jessica Colla
This blog is all about how to make easy, everyday decisions to protect the ocean and the animals that live there, right from your own home. Let’s dive in!
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Living far from the ocean can sometimes make you feel like your efforts to conserve it don't really matter—but that couldn't be further from the truth! Every choice we make, from the food we eat to the products we buy, has an impact on the ocean, whether we're near the shore or hundreds of miles away!
Take it from me! I am a professional marine biologist who was born and raised in a landlocked state with the nearest ocean over a thousand miles away from the nearest coast!
Collective action is essential, and even small changes in our daily lives can create ripples of positive change. Together, we can protect coral reefs and marine life, no matter where we live. Ready to take action? Here are 6 simple, effective ways to conserve the ocean from home!
1. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Reducing your carbon footprint is one of the most effective ways to protect the ocean. Carbon emissions (think cars and powerplants) contribute to climate change, causing ocean temperatures to rise, which leads to coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and habitat loss for marine life. In fact, the ocean absorbs about 30% of carbon dioxide emissions humans release, which makes it crucial to take action! By making small, everyday changes, you can help reduce this impact.
Start by conserving power—turn off lights, unplug unused appliances, and opt for energy-efficient alternatives like LED bulbs or electric vehicles. If you own your home, you can switch to renewable energy sources like solar or wind (if possible) or purchase appliances that are more energy efficient. Each decision is a major step in cutting carbon emissions. Also, don’t forget to conserve water! Taking shorter showers, being mindful when washing dishes and switching to water-efficient appliances reduce the energy needed to pump and heat water.
Choosing to buy local products and incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet can significantly reduce emissions from transportation and farming. This can be as simple as buying groceries at your local farmers market (you’re supporting the community too!) or adding a “meatless Mondays” to your routine.
Wondering where to start? Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s list of home upgrades that can net you a tax credit, and specific energy-efficient products with ENERGY STAR ratings!
Check out these great products to reduce your carbon footprint:
2. Reduce Plastic Waste
Plastic waste is a huge issue for our oceans, and the damage is easy to see, making it a visible problem that we feel extra-motivated to fix. Plastic doesn’t break down naturally like other materials, which means it can linger in the ocean for hundreds or even thousands of years. Marine life can get entangled in larger pieces of plastic, leading to drowning or starvation. Many animals mistakenly eat plastic, which can cause them to choke, block up their digestive system and die of starvation. And they aren’t the only ones eating plastic! Evidence abounds that plastic is also entering OUR diets by working its way up the marine food chain through small ocean organisms like plankton to large fish like tuna or salmon. It’s alarming to think that humans could be consuming up to one credit card’s worth of plastic each month! (bleh!)
Making small changes in our daily single-use plastic consumption can have a HUGE impact over time. Imagine that you accept: a plastic straw, plastic cutlery, a Styrofoam takeout container and a single use plastic bag, EVERY time you go to a drive-thru. If you get take-out food once a week, that really adds up! Instead, you could switch to items like a metal straw, bamboo cutlery, glass or stainless steel food containers and a fabric shopping bag. Each of these items is only bought once and brought with you everywhere you go. Think of all the plastic you save?! You can also aim to reduce or replace plastic items in your home with more sustainable options. If you haven’t already, check out my video on sustainable products that can help you replace single-use plastics at home.
While eliminating all plastic can be tough, especially in food packaging, it’s essential to dispose of what you do use responsibly. Recycle properly, and follow your local waste management guidelines on glass, metal, cardboard and paper to help reduce plastic waste in your area. By being mindful, we can prevent more plastic from entering our oceans and harming marine life.
Psssst! Check out my blog article Plastic Plague about why plastics are harmful to marine life, and how you can take steps to reduce your plastic consumption!
Want to get started in your zero-waste journey? Here are simply products to get you started:
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the Sustainability Solutions section in my Ocean Lover’s Essentials Shop for more ideas!
3. Be Mindful of Harmful Chemicals
While much of the focus on pollution is rightly directed towards physical waste like plastics, chemical pollution is an equally pressing concern. Harmful chemicals come from a variety of land-based sources like farms, factories, sewage treatment plants, power plants, the automotive industry and even household products. In fact, The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that an estimated 80% of the pollutants entering marine environments are from land-based sources.
Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and lawn fertilizers, can wash into our watersheds from farms and eventually leach into the ocean. These substances can create "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive due to toxic concentrations of algae. Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to algal blooms, like the famous Red Tide in Florida, which deplete oxygen in the water, causing massive die-offs of aquatic organisms. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly 70% of phosphorus and 30% of nitrogen in waterways come from agricultural sources.
Similarly, chemicals from the automotive industry, like oil and antifreeze, can be washed into storm drains, carrying pollutants directly to the ocean. Studies have also shown that exposure to certain heavy metals can lead to reproductive failure, immune system suppression, and developmental abnormalities in marine organisms, disrupting ecosystems and threatening biodiversity.
To mitigate these effects, you can take several actions: wash your car at a designated car wash to prevent runoff, switch to eco-friendly household cleaners, use organic lawn care products, and properly dispose of hazardous waste. Additionally, support and advocate for policies that regulate chemical use by large corporations and industrial farms. By adopting these practices and engaging in policy advocacy, you can help protect our oceans and support a healthier marine environment.
Want to reduce your household’s chemical output? Check out some of my favorite products:
4. Choose Sustainable Seafood
Our oceans are a vital source of protein for over 3 billion people globally. But when we choose unsustainable seafood, we're not just making a dietary choice—we're impacting entire marine ecosystems.
Unsustainable fishing methods like dynamite fishing (yes, it's as destructive as it sounds!) and bleach bottle fishing (also horrible and unsafe for consumption!) wreak havoc on marine life. Dredging rakes & Bottom Trawler nets drag across the seabed scraping up benthic (bottom-dwelling) species, leave the seafloor in ruins. Massive commercial nets can surround an entire school of fish, removing whole populations in a single haul. And long-lines can stretch over thirty miles long and be baited with thousands of hooks to catch target (and bycatch) species. These practices not only harm fragile marine habitats but also contribute to the overfishing of key species.
Once-popular seafood like Bluefin Tuna and Atlantic Cod have seen their populations plummet due to overfishing. Bluefin tuna, a highly prized species, has experienced a dramatic decline, with some estimates suggesting that its population is only 2.6% of its historical levels. Atlantic cod, another once-abundant species, has suffered similar declines, leading to the collapse of entire fisheries and a collapse in local economies dependent on the species.
But don’t worry—making sustainable seafood choices can be easier than you think. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch website is a fantastic resource for guiding your seafood decisions. It helps you identify which species are sustainable, which ones to be cautious about, and which ones to avoid altogether. The site data is updated regularly to provide the most current information, ensuring you can make informed choices. Monterey Bay Aquarium also distributes pocket-sized reference guides, which you can pick up at most aquariums or through the Seafood Watch website.
By choosing sustainable seafood, you’re not only supporting responsible fishing practices but also helping to protect our oceans for future generations.
Want to develop a better understanding of sustainable fisheries and get inspired for your next seafood dinner? Check out some of my favorite books here:
5. Avoid Ocean Animal Products
Over harvesting shells, coral and other ocean-based products can lead to the degradation of marine ecosystems. Marine Pollution Bulletin found that the removal of just 20% of the shells from a reef can disrupt the habitat, affecting the biodiversity and functionality of the reef ecosystem. It is difficult (or impossible) to verify if ocean animal products like corals, shells, teeth, and bones have been sustainably sourced. Harvesting biofacts (biological artifacts) for commercial sale can be illegal and unethical, often taken from protected reefs or through poaching. This not only threatens the species taken, but also disrupts the entire ecosystems, as the removal of one species can lead to the collapse of the ecosystems’ intricate web of life. If you see a decorative shell or a shark tooth necklace at a big box store – odds are they weren’t sourced sustainably!
Once-abundant coral reefs are now facing severe threats due to illegal coral trade. Live corals and fragments taken from these reefs can lead to ecosystem imbalances and local extinctions. Reefs are delicate systems where every organism plays a crucial role; removing even a single species can have cascading effects throughout the habitat.
To make a positive impact, always research the origins of any ocean animal products before making a purchase. Look for origin certifications or sustainable sourcing guarantees, and support vendors and organizations committed to ethical practices. By choosing responsibly, you’re not just preserving individual species—you’re helping to protect the entire marine ecosystem.
Want the coastal decor without the negative environmental impact? Check out these adorable decorative pieces I have in my own home:
Looking for more home decor inspiration? Check out the Ocean-Inspired Lifestyle section in my Ocean Lover’s Essentials Shop for more ideas!
6. Educate Yourself & Share the LOVE
Guess what? You’re already making a difference! By taking the time to read this blog and educate yourself about ocean conservation, you're taking the first, most crucial step toward protecting our oceans for future generations.
And if we don’t understand the problems our oceans face, how can we take action to fix them?
For example, I remember learning about coral bleaching for the first time. It opened my eyes to just how fragile our marine ecosystems are, and I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to do my part, no matter where home is. The good news is that every bit of knowledge you gain empowers you to take action —whether that’s cutting down on single-use plastics, supporting sustainable seafood, or simply spreading the word to your friends and family.
And that’s where the ripple effect comes in. Sharing what you learn with others can inspire them to make changes too. When we all work together, the impact grows exponentially. You’re not just protecting the ocean for yourself; you’re ensuring it thrives for your kids, grandkids, and generations beyond.
Protecting the Ocean for Future Generations
Our oceans are invaluable, not just for the incredible biodiversity they support, but for the vital roles they play in regulating our climate, providing food, and sustaining coastal communities worldwide. While the challenges facing our oceans may seem overwhelming, the good news is that each of us can make a positive impact—right from our own homes! Simple actions, like reducing plastic use, making sustainable seafood choices, and being mindful of household waste, add up to make a big difference.
By embracing small, everyday changes, we can protect coral reefs, marine species, and the overall health of our oceans. It’s empowering to know that even individual efforts can have a lasting impact. Ultimately, protecting the ocean isn’t just about the choices we make today—it’s about creating a sustainable future for generations to come. Whether you live by the coast or in a landlocked area, your actions matter. And when we all take action together, our collective impact is powerful!
So, let’s continue to learn, share, and take action where we can. The ocean sustains life on Earth, and it’s up to all of us to ensure it remains vibrant and healthy for generations to come!
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