There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t feel deeply grateful to live by the ocean. It’s my happy place. It’s where I go to play with my kids, walk off a tough day, or find a moment of peace. It’s where I feel most grounded — and most alive. Whether I’m swimming, floating, or simply watching the waves roll in, the ocean always brings me back to myself.
Living in an oceanside town, I’m constantly reminded of how generous the ocean is. It gives us food, regulates our climate, supports entire ecosystems — and it’s literally the lungs of the planet. Did you know that the ocean produces over 50% of the oxygen we breathe? It absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide we emit, buffering us from the worst impacts of climate change. And it’s home to the greatest biodiversity on Earth — though we’ve only discovered a fraction of the species it holds.
For many Australians, the ocean is part of our identity. It shapes our summers, our childhood memories, and for many First Nations communities, it is sacred — a source of cultural knowledge, story, and stewardship going back tens of thousands of years.
But even something as vast as the ocean is not immune to harm.
Rising temperatures are bleaching our coral reefs. Plastic pollution is choking marine life. Fertiliser runoff and oil spills damage fragile ecosystems. Our clothes shed microplastics that flow straight from washing machines to the sea. Warming, acidification, biodiversity loss — the signs of a declining ocean health rating are everywhere, and they’re deeply connected to human activity.
So what can we do?
There’s a lot we can do — starting right at home:
🌊 Don’t litter — ever. Most street rubbish ends up in stormwater drains, which lead straight to the ocean.
🌊 Use reef-safe sunscreen. Some common ingredients are toxic to coral and marine life.
🌊 Be mindful of your washing. Wash clothes less often, use a microfibre-catching laundry bag, and choose natural fabrics to reduce microplastic pollution.
🌊 Reduce single-use plastics. Reuse, refill, and refuse where you can.
🌊 Respect coastal ecosystems. Stay on paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and take only photos.
🌊 Join a local group. From Coastcare to other local coastal community groups, there are brilliant community efforts restoring coastlines and protecting marine habitats.
🌊 Support climate action. Fossil fuels aren’t just warming the atmosphere — they pollute our oceans too. Join organisations like Parents for Climate who are pushing for a fast, fair transition to clean energy.
🌊 Speak up. Our oceans need policies that match the scale of the crisis. Add your voice to campaigns, vote for climate, and help shift the tide.
The ocean is resilient. If we act now — with urgency and love — it can heal. We can protect it for our kids and for every living thing that depends on its life-giving magic.
This World Ocean Day (and every day), let’s celebrate the wonder of our oceans — and honour them with our care.
Because the ocean gives us so much.
And now, it’s our turn to give back.
Written by Laura Billings - living, working and playing on majestic Wadawurrung Country.