Look for the Helpers

Changing the Tides

There are more than a few organizations out there helping the big blue — and this is by no means a comprehensive list. But rather an opportunity to spotlight just a few of these entities making the water better, more accessible, and safer for marine life. Snorkel on. 

Operation Surf | Water Therapy

What’s the change you hope to make in the world through your organization?
The change we hope to create is hope: that it is possible to overcome the seemingly impossible. If we share these overcoming stories with others, we also change the weight of the dark times to become something meaningful and used for good. Then we have the hope that when we go through another challenge, we can still possess joy in the midst of misery/struggle because we know that it is possible to overcome. And you never know where you can find that — you just might find it in the ocean through surfing. 

The smallest thing one person can do to help your cause?
Become a monthly giver and tell a friend!

Visit operationsurf.org

charity: water | Clean Drinking

What’s the change you hope to make in the world through your organization?   
charity: water's mission is to bring clean and safe water to people around the world.

The smallest thing one person can do to help your cause? 
How to help? Send a friend The Spring film — it’s on our website — or re-share one of our posts on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Educating friends and family about the water crisis and the 703 million people who don’t have access to clean and safe drinking water worldwide is so important. The first step to making a difference is awareness.

Visit charitywater.org

The Ocean Cleanup | Technology

What’s the change you hope to make in the world through your organization?   
We believe that in order to develop optimal cleanup technologies, we must truly understand the problem. Very little is known about the properties and dynamics of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems – this is why we invest in scientific research and produce open-access science. By understanding the sources, transport, and fate of plastic in and flowing into the ocean, we can create the foundation onto which we develop our cleanup solutions.

The smallest thing one person can do to help your cause? 
Mapping global plastic is a huge undertaking – and we need your help. Using The Ocean Cleanup Survey App, you can help us collect data about debris in rivers and oceans near you. Just look around, then start counting objects floating by using the app on your smartphone or tablet. The data you collect and share with us helps refine our global river plastic transport models. It also helps us identify pollution hotspots that are best suited for the deployment of our cleanup efforts.

Visit theoceancleanup.com

Sea Shepherd | Conservation

What’s the change you hope to make in the world through your organization?
As a member of Sea Shepherd since 2008, our goal has been to inspire a deep and lasting respect for the ocean's vital ecosystems. The change we aim to achieve is twofold: safeguarding endangered species like whales, dolphins, and turtles from extinction, and fostering a global community that values and actively protects these natural wonders through the rule of law and activism. By expanding our reach in the world, we aim to empower local voices and promote sustainable practices that can lead to a healthier ocean. Ultimately, we envision a world where the beauty and diversity of marine life are preserved for future generations, and where communities are united in their commitment to protecting our planet's most precious marine wildlife.

What is the smallest thing one person can do?
The smallest thing one person can do to help our cause is to make mindful choices in their daily life, starting with reducing single-use plastics. By saying no to plastic bags, straws, and bottles, and choosing reusable alternatives, you can significantly lessen the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans. This small action, when multiplied by millions of people, can lead to a massive reduction in ocean pollution and create a ripple effect of positive change for marine life. Every conscious decision you make in favor of the environment contributes to the larger goal of ocean and marine wildlife conservation.

Visit seashepherd.org