13 Quotes to Protect the Ocean And Inspire Us to Help Stop Ocean Pollution

To protect the ocean is a value closely linked to being a scuba diver simply because we have set out to get to know it.

“People protect what they love” – Jacques Y. Cousteau

Jacques Cousteau was not only a great lover of the oceans, but he was also a visionary. He loved the ocean as much as trying to protect it. The famous diver understood what the consequences of human behavior were going to be and warned us of them. Today it is urgent to take action.

So much so, that the UN is enacting a global treaty for the protection of the oceans with the aim of shielding 30% of international waters by 2030.

As nations and economic interests come together to reach agreements, we cannot help but wonder what we can do in our sphere of influence to protect the oceans.

1. What do the oceans do for us?

“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch, we are going back from whence we came.” — John F. Kennedy

The oceans are the source of life. They produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe and absorb 25% of carbon dioxide emissions.

Its waters capture heat, and the currents take it to the poles and back to the tropics, regulating the planet’s temperature. The oceans feed us and provide us with employment and entertainment.

2. Why should we take action to protect the oceans?

“If man doesn’t learn to treat the oceans and the rain forest with respect, man will become extinct.” — Peter Benchley

Human survival depends intimately on us taking action and saving the oceans, but not only. Life on the planet also depends on it.

The ocean faces serious threats, including:

“Only we humans make waste that nature can’t digest.” Charles Moore

1. Climate change. As we have said, the oceans absorb carbon dioxide, but their capacity is not infinite. The more CO2 it absorbs, the more its acidity increases, reduces the PH of the water, and alters its internal chemistry. It wreaks havoc on marine life.
2. Pollution. Fertilizers, spills and fuels, and plastics pollute the waters of the oceans.
3. Garbage and plastics. That solid waste that does not decompose easily is turning the sea into the garbage dump of humanity.
4. About fishing. Unsustainable fishing threatens the biodiversity of the oceans.

3. How to protect the oceans?

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”  -Robert Swan OBE

Now that we know what the main threats to the ocean are, we can take part in protecting the oceans from our position.

1. Explore the oceans

“I need the sea because it teaches me.” – Pablo Neruda

The more we know about the ocean, the more we will love it. We can learn about it by consulting a bibliography, studying its flora or fauna, or watching documentaries. But of course, if there is an effective way to explore the oceans and love them, that is to dive and snorkel.

2. Avoid plastics

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.” -Jane Goodall

It is estimated that 79% of the plastic that is produced ends up in the ocean and in 2019, almost 370 million tons were produced, according to the Plastics Association Europe.

We can make our contribution by reducing the use of plastics in our daily lives. The first step is to be aware of all the plastic we use and make decisions to eliminate it.

3. Reduce your carbon footprint

“One drop of water helps to swell the ocean…none are too small, too feeble, too poor to be of service. Think of this and act.”-Hannah More

We have already discussed the consequences of CO2 and its influence on ocean acidification. The excuse of many people is that their behavior will not mean a big change. However, that is not true. A simple gesture helps protect the oceans.

Change the car for a bicycle or walk and if you use it moderate the speed.

Turn off the light when not needed

Insulate your house well so that it doesn’t lose heat in winter or unnecessarily run air conditioning in summer.

4. Make a responsible consumption of marine resources

“We don’t own the planet Earth, we belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife.” -Steve Irwin

Making sustainable decisions about the fish and shellfish we consume is vital because more than 3,000 million people in the world obtain their main protein source from the ocean.

Some applications help you know if the fish and shellfish you consume are caught sustainably.

Consume small adult fish, and avoid large fish, which are more threatened by overfishing.

Choose locally sourced seafood.

5. Demand a commitment to protect the oceans through the vote

” The good man is the friend of all living things.”– Gandhi.

The people who represent us politically have the power to increase your personal impact on the oceans. Supporting policies committed to the environment is a way of speaking for our oceans.

6. Support those who are already working for the oceans.

” The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” – Albert Einstein.

Human beings not only destroy, but they also build. Many of us are already contributing our grain of sand in favor of the oceans. At Dressel Divers, we do this through Go Green and supporting various non-profit associations committed to protecting the oceans.

7. Raise your voice and share with others the actions in which you participate

“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.”– Jane Goodall.

We have never had so much power to influence others as in this super-connected world. Social networks are a great loudspeaker. Share your actions, set an example, do educational work, tell the rest of the world about your experiences in the ocean and let them know about it.

You are a diver and you can share the wonders of the ocean firsthand and remember.

“In nature, nothing exists alone.”– Rachel Carson.