This year’s UN World Ocean Day will focus on collective climate action for the ocean, so we wanted to show you where we are at with our Sustainable-ish Plan – our 2021 Impact Report – plus share some of the resources we've found useful.
Words: Rachel Lingham | Ed Templeton
Of course, we should not only consider the oceans on June the 8th. We all need to ensure that actions we take – collectively and as individuals – are not simply greenwashing or virtue-signalling around a once-per-year event. But it is a good reminder to assess what we have done so far – good and bad – where we are at, and where we need to improve.
Photography by Hiroko Yoshii
Created by the UN, the holiday’s mission is ‘to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.’
‘Revitalisation: collective action for the ocean’ – calling out the desperate need to restore our oceans. This is not separate to climate change, to the biodiversity crisis, the pollution crisis – we need to revitalise and preserve our oceans for us and generations to come. To put a stop to the extractive attitude we have to resources, and to empower ourselves – and our kids – to solve these problems. Now.
Our Impact Report - being open and transparent about it is a big part of the process.
This is the first year we have decided to report on all of our sustainability efforts and activities. And it is disappointing not to achieve all that we set out to do, but being open and transparent about it is a big part of the process, and being ambitious is our default setting even during a very difficult period for a travel company.
To be honest the latter part of the year in 2021 was focused on survival as a company, which meant the attention of our tiny and reduced team was focused on trying to keep the doors open – so some of the projects we had hoped to complete were sidelined. But the wonderful thing about reporting and reviewing is to remind ourselves of all that we have achieved. It’s easy to just remember the things we didn’t achieve but doing this report has made us very proud to be working with such an inspirational bunch of people.
With Natalie Fox as our sustainability ringmaster, we have made some great steps in 2021 and set the foundations for more positive change in 2022. And now 2021 is done and dusted, we are looking towards the next year and how we can reach our current targets, adjust and amend if needed and, if possible, increase the impact we are having. Through developing our Sustainable-ish Plan we found there ARE tangible ways we can be more sustainable and that sustainable solutions actually do exist.
2021 was just the start, and we hope to see you at one of our retreats in 2022 and beyond, so you can be part of the solution too.
Check out our full Impact Report here.
World Ocean Day '22
Check out the UN’s #revitalizetheocean event. Hosted today at the UN headquarters and broadcast live, this is an opportunity to listen to thought leaders, campaigners, scientists and entrepreneurs who shed light on the ideas, solutions, projects - and difficulties - we face together on this critical mission to restore our ocean health.
The UN World Ocean day website also has great educational resources for kids, from ocean-themed films, podcasts, to colouring tasks & links to charities & projects near you.
Check out who we work with and support for more ideas.
Photography by Katie Rae
How about watching a movie or two about the ocean today? We have come across some great documentaries about the ocean, climate & biodiversity, so here is a list for you - and maybe the kids too.
And if time is not on your side today, check out these shorter ocean TED talks.
