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Help Save The Waves
How to Stop Plastic Pollution in the Ocean
Help us recover 1 million pounds of debris and plastic from our oceans and waterways through Ocean Blue Project’s Save the Waves campaign.
People are wondering how to stop plastic pollution in the ocean because our one world ocean, waterways and the marine life they support are vital for our survival. And they’re being threatened by plastic. Ocean Blue is raising awareness and $185,000 to reach our big goal to remove 1 million pounds of plastic and debris from our one world ocean.
We invite businesses to Invest in a Blue Ocean Economy. Now, Ocean Blue needs investors to support large scale plastic pollution cleanup efforts. Up until now every $1 has contributed to 1 pound of plastic and debris recovered from beaches and ocean bound waterways.
Now, private donors have opened the doors for Ocean Blue to make a bigger impact fueled with solutions for how to stop plastic pollution in the ocean. With donor support, we have started purchasing the equipment needed to remove 5 pounds for every $1 donated!
Join our Annual Save the Waves campaign
You’ll not only be helping our environment and precious ocean ecosystem, you’ll also have a chance to win exciting prizes provided by our generous supporters in your local community.
Those who fundraise or donate $50 or more to get a free reusable water bottle and become an Ocean Blue Project Annual Member.
Donate $100 or more and be entered to win a beach tote filled with fun prizes from some of our most ocean-friendly supporters including Patagonia, SiiZu, Badger Sunscreen, Sand Cloud, and Earth Breeze. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed with all the details.
Do you work for a company that wants to do even more to preserve and protect our oceans? Ocean Blue is now working as a disaster relief organization to clean up debris caused by recent hurricanes. Click here to learn more.
Save the Waves with Ocean Blue Project
You can donate to save the waves with Ocean Blue Project. There are two major threats to our oceans today — climate change and plastic. In fact, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicts that the total weight of plastics in the ocean could exceed that of fish by 2050.
Plastic production is also accelerating global warming, and rising air temperatures are melting glaciers and bleaching coral. We can’t deny or ignore the fact that human activity has a major impact on the health of our oceans and wildlife. But we can all be part of the solution.
It seems overwhelming, we know. But we’re committed to making a difference, and you can too. How can one person possibly make a difference? Think about this – plastics cause more than 100,000 marine animal deaths both from ingestion and entanglement. So, that one piece of plastic you decide not to use or that you take the time to pick up just might save a life.
It doesn’t matter if you live close to the ocean or miles away, you can save the waves with Ocean Blue Project. Why? Because roughly 80 percent of marine and coastal pollution originates on land. Working together, we can protect, preserve and restore our one-world ocean. And during our Give and Get campaign, every dollar you donate to Ocean Blue Project will help us recover one pound of plastic and debris.
How Does the Ocean Cleanup Work?
Before you give, you probably want to know – how does the ocean cleanup work? In its quest to clean up and protect our oceans and waterways, Ocean Blue Project is tackling one of the toughest challenges of our time, a challenge that has been overlooked for too long. How are we doing this?
By integrating a multi-pronged, ecosystem-focused approach. Whether you’re an individual, a community, or a large organization, you can join our efforts to protect the ocean.
The Ocean Blue Project integrates various projects and programs that have a real impact, both short-term and long-term. Our main programming areas include:
- Microplastics Removal (removing microplastics and other debris from beaches)
- Create a Clean-up (supporting and creating local clean-up events across the U.S.)
- River Restoration Projects (urban stream/river restoration, including the planting of native trees and vegetation)
- Blue Schools (grade-school curriculum to help students become stewards of their local watershed)
Our three pillars are awareness, education, and action. We accomplish our work with the help of volunteers across the world, and donations from individuals and socially conscious organizations.
So, how does the ocean cleanup work? Donate to Ocean Blue Project and for every $1 donated we can recover 1 pound of plastic and debris. You take part by making a direct impact on the health and future of our planet. Join our global community and let’s work together towards a cleaner, safer ocean for both marine and human life.
Why is ocean pollution a problem?
Human activities, including plastic production, create dangerous chemicals that ultimately end up flowing into the ocean. These chemicals, which include volatile elements such as phosphorus and nitrogen, promote the growth of algal blooms, which can be toxic, and even deadly, to marine life. These substances are also damaging to humans, and their presence in our waters hurts local communities.
Trash that makes its way into our oceans is mostly made of plastic and can include shopping bags, bottles and bottle caps, food wrappers and other packaging, as well as cigarette butts. These items do not biodegrade in the water and can take hundreds of years to decompose. In the meantime, they pose a great danger to wildlife, and marine creatures can end up physically injured. Moreover, some animals mistake these plastic items for food, and thus can unintentionally bring microplastic pollution up the food chain.
How does ocean pollution affect humans?
A lot of plastic items discarded in our waters disintegrate over time, leading to the proliferation of what we call microplastics. These microplastics are less than five millimeters wide and are consequently easily absorbed or ingested by marine species. The toxic chemicals contained in these microplastics make their way up the food chain as small organisms are eaten by larger marine species. Eventually, they make their way on land and in our food and water, fueling a never-ending cycle of pollution.
How much pollution is in the ocean?
Plastic production and pollution have increased exponentially over the past couple of decades, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015, according to National Geographic. As we continue to produce and waste more and more plastic, these numbers continue to rise at a troubling speed.
Plastic production is expected to double by 2050, which means even more plastic will find its way into our oceans. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that by 2050, the total weight of plastics in the ocean could exceed that of fish.
What is being done to stop plastic pollution in the ocean?
In recent years, individuals and governments have started paying attention to the issue of plastic in our oceans and waterways. While there’s no way to reverse the damage that’s already been done, there are steps we can all take to prevent further damage to marine life. There are numerous ocean cleanup organizations out there that people can donate to and join in volunteering missions. Environmental organizations are taking action to raise awareness and persuade governments to ban single-use plastic, encourage recycling and mindful waste disposal, and impose strict laws to fight plastic pollution.
What do ocean organizations do?
Environmental organizations like Ocean Blue Project are constantly on the frontlines, battling plastic pollution, raising awareness, and educating people on the importance of clean waters. Such nonprofits are committed to protecting and preserving our oceans by empowering individuals and communities to get involved and make an impact, both locally and globally.
Ocean Blue Project has various programs dedicated to this mission, from education programs to local beach cleanup events and tree planting/river restoration efforts.
Where can I donate to help ocean pollution?
While the mission of cleaning and protecting our oceans seems daunting, everyone can contribute and make an impact . There are many ways for individuals and companies to get involved. You can take a hands-on approach and join local beach cleanup or river restoration events near you.
But even if you don’t live close to the ocean, you can still make a difference by donating to ocean cleanup organizations such as the Ocean Blue Project. Every dollar counts, and no contribution is too small.
How can you help stop ocean pollution?
Preserving and protecting our oceans is a long-term mission, and every one of us can take small steps to limit the amount of waste we produce – waste that might end up in our precious waters. But what exactly can you do to help save the ocean? Here are a few easy ways to get started:
- Use less water to limit excess runoff
- Reuse and recycle mindfully
- Opt for non-toxic chemicals and sustainable fabrics
- Choose reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags
- Limit emissions by walking, biking, using public transportation or electric vehicles
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs
- Fish responsibly and only in designated areas
- Support or join local ocean cleanup events as a volunteer
- Donate to save the ocean organizations like Ocean Blue Project
- Help raise awareness through social media
Thank you to our incredible business partners for contributing to our goal and for sharing our vision of a clean world ocean.
Let's save our One World Ocean
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922 NW Circle Blvd 160-146 Corvallis, OR 97330 - office@oceanblueproject.org
www.Ocean Blue Project is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.
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