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Writer's pictureDon Lichterman

Soul Planet, Hands Across the Sand, Plastic Pollution Reduction Act & 3 ways to help coastal seas!

Where land meets sea is a rich community of plants and animals—all vital to the health of our planet ... and us. Coastal seas make up only 10% of our oceans but are home to over 90% of all marine species. And seafood is the major protein source for roughly 1.5 billion people.

The Coastal Seas episode of Our Planet, created in collaboration with WWF and now streaming on Netflix, reveals that development and climate change have negatively impacted these areas. We've lost half of all coral reefs and mangroves, and stand to lose even more.

Taking better care of our seas is something we must do together. WWF is working to expand mangrove cover, save coral reefs, improve fishing practices, and support community-led conservation in important coastal regions. Explore how you can do your part to protect our coastal seas.

Despite recent news that President Trump is “sidelining” his radical offshore drilling plan, we must remain vigilant.


Until expanding offshore drilling is completely off the table, we will continue to #ProtectOurCoast.


That’s why on Saturday May 25, 2019, thousands gathered at beaches across the country for Hands Across the Sand to say NO to efforts to expand dirty and dangerous offshore drilling: https://bit.ly/2KjJBVM

President Trump released his proposed budget for funding the federal government for fiscal year 2020, and it’s a blatant attack on our oceans.


Included are deep cuts to many ocean programs, including the elimination of the Marine Mammal Commission, which helps to protect marine mammals and the ocean they call home.


Add your name now to tell your members of Congress to stop President Trump’s ocean harming budget: https://bit.ly/2wzE8SF

According to a recent United Nations report on climate, one million species face extinction. But it's not too late. Conservation measures like the Endangered Species Act reduce the risk of extinction. Tell Congress to #StopExtinction and oppose attacks on the ESA today: https://bit.ly/30XkGNG

What is coral bleaching? Find out what causes coral reefs to lose their vibrant colors, why it matters, and how you can help.

Save Bristol Bay The Pebble Mine would destroy thousands of acres of wetlands and miles of salmon streams in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Help us stop Pebble Mine before it's too late.

Oceana Applauds California Senate for Passing Single-Use Packaging and Plastics Bill

Earlier this week, the California State Senate passed the California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, which will set a high bar for reducing single-use packaging across the country. The legislation applies to all single-use packaging sold in California and will create the framework desperately needed to turn the tide on our single-use plastics problem. Read more »


Stop the Use of Swordfish Drift Gillnets. You have a chance to save endangered species from dying in drift gillnets. Legislation in the U.S. Senate and House would require the California swordfish fishery to phase out the use of drift gillnets and facilitate the switch to cleaner fishing methods. 


A ban passed last year in California to phase out gillnets will only affect state waters -- we need to ensure that these "walls of death" are eliminated from U.S. waters for good with a ban on federal permits too. 



It’s Time to Give Our Oceans a Break and Consumers and Communities a Choice. We are awash in plastic. You can’t avoid it. Currently, consumers and other parts of our society including towns, colleges and other organizations are not being given plastic-free options. We need companies to recognize that they are selling us products made of what is essentially a toxic pollutant. It is why it is critical that companies focus on reducing and not just recycling plastic. Read more »


South Carolina Governor Signs Bill to Protect State from Offshore Drilling. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the state’s budget bill, which prohibits state or local government funds from being used to plan, permit or license any offshore oil and gas related activities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019. Oceana applauds this stand taken to protect our coast from the expansion of dirty and dangerous offshore drilling. Read more »


Oceana Partners with Found Sparkling Water to Raise Awareness of Plastic Pollution. Oceana is partnering with Found – makers of sparkling water (in glass bottles) to launch the 100K Initiative, which commemorates 100,000 marine mammals impacted by plastic pollution. During World Oceans Month, Found is selling 100,000 limited edition bottles and 100 percent of the profits will help Oceana campaigns to address the plastic crisis and save the oceans. Read more »

Aquatic Animal Law Initiative Fellowship

The Center for Animal Law Studies and the Animal Law Clinic at Lewis & Clark Law School are pleased to announce a two-year fellowship for the Aquatic Animal Law Institute. The fellow will report to the Clinic’s director, Kathy Hessler, and will work closely to support the institute and program innovation. This will include creative and high level case development and management, outreach efforts to stakeholder communities, and clinic and curriculum development. The fellow will also have responsibility for student oversight, and providing strategic leadership for growth and development, including fundraising.

Well everyone's together on the soul planet There's one beating heart on the soul planet Dancing and breathing on the soul planet No need to be running on the soul planet We keep on rollin', soul planet Spinnin' and turnin' on the soul planet Screaming through space on the soul planet We keep on rolling, we keep on rolling

And everyone's together And there's one big ocean And the ocean is love And everybody's reaching yeah yeah yeah

And we're leaning on each other on the soul planet We're spinning to oblivion on the soul planet There's room for everyone on the soul planet Space for everyone on the soul planet There's ten million colors on the soul planet Speak the language of love on the soul planet And the wind is music on the soul planet Screaming through space, we're screaming through space

And everyone's together And there's one big ocean And the ocean is love And everybody's reaching yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

And I'm helping you on the soul planet And you're helping me on the soul planet And the animals and trees on the soul planet They're all you and me on the soul planet There's a slow stream of power on the soul planet And the power is love on the soul planet And the wind is music on the soul planet Screaming through space, we're screaming through space

And everyone's together And there's one big ocean And the ocean is love And everybody's reaching yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

And the ocean is love (And the ocean is love) And the ocean is love (And the ocean is love) Wind is the music (Wind is the music) (Soul Planet) Wind is the music (Soul Planet) And we're screaming through space (And the ocean is love) And we're screaming through space (And the ocean is love) Wind is the music (Wind is the music) (Soul Planet) Wind is the music (Soul Planet)




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