Want to know more about our Big Blue Crew?
The Big Blue Crew is a community of ocean activists with members in the United States, Netherlands, Kenya, and the Bahamas. In 2021, Big Blue & You partnered with Ocean Conservancy, Debris Free Oceans, and Plastic Free Miami Beach to pilot Shores Forward, a new direct service program for Miami crew members to advocate for less single-use plastic at local businesses.
We asked multiple student volunteers from the Design and Architecture Senior High School (DASH) Environmental Club six questions about their experiences working on the Shores Forward Program. The DASH vision is to educate students to become innovative thinkers in designing their world. And, of course, the Shores Forward Program is trying to recruit businesses to decrease the consumption of single use plastics. This is what four of those students had to say!
Why are you excited about being part of the Shores Forward program?
Taylor N said: “The Shores Forward program is providing me and other people my age the chance to make a difference by doing something small. Just by contacting a few businesses about going plastic free, we are preventing hundreds of pounds of trash from entering oceans and destroying ecosystems. It’s amazing to know that we are part of something that is directly impacting the environment positively.”
Sam C said: “Working with other environmentally-conscious individuals is so encouraging and empowering. Shores Forward is proof that we can do something, and that is so wonderful!”
Everyone at Big Blue and You shares a deep love of the ocean. What are your earliest memories of the water and why do you feel so inspired to help protect the big blue?
Karon D said: “Living 15 minutes away from the beach was not always my reality, earlier on seeing the ocean was a once in a year experience and I remember those family trips dearly in my memory, the times I got to see the ocean were also the times I was surrounded by family. My desire for future generations to have those happy memories is one of the many reasons why this cause inspires me so much.”
Tomas V said: “Growing up, the ocean has been something I had always had a passion for and was at a young age taught to respect and care for it as one of our most treasured properties on this planet.”
Why are programs like Shores Forward so important to local communities and worldwide?
Taylor N said: “Sometimes people feel a little helpless when it comes to issues surrounding climate change, especially since it’s such a big issue that takes everyone to fix. Personally, I realized that even if I were to recycle, bring reusable containers, and compost, none of that would reverse climate change if big businesses weren’t doing their part. The Shores Forward program allows students like us to address plastic waste and to change it for the better. If other communities worldwide were to take part in this program, imagine the amount of plastic and trash we could prevent from entering our ecosystems.”
Sam C said: “Although one step forward, reducing plastic usage and being environmentally aware solely as an individual can only do so much. Power is through numbers, and working with communal programs like Shores Forward can create impactful change. Through this collective collaboration, we can minimize the market-based demand for single-use plastics with a shared heart for our environment!”
What do you think are the biggest challenges for ocean conservation?
Tomas V said: “I believe our greatest challenge will be to influence a very large number of people as many people are still unaware and or uninterested in the conservation of oceans and how current pollution and emissions are contributing to the problem. Our goal should be to reach out to as many people as possible from all locations and not only spread this message but generate a strong sense of importance.”
Taylor N said: “The biggest challenges are the big businesses who aren’t willing to change their practices. They are comfortable with their unsustainable methods of production and are either too busy or don’t care enough to switch to ways that are better for the environment.”
What's one tip you'd like to share about getting more youth active in ocean conservation?
Karon D said: “Momentum is everything, specifically with the youth. Start doing small actions and if you can do more and more, but just don’t stop doing them!”
Sam C said: “I absolutely believe that everyone has some kind of intrinsic connection with nature. It might not be with the ocean, but there can be an appreciation for ponds, forests, lakes--even as simple as the sun. A documentary, a beach clean-up, and a swim is all it takes to help inspire others in ocean conservation.”
What's one tip you'd like to share about how to be plastic free?
Karon D said: “A very easy but helpful tip is keeping a food container in your bag or trunk, this will save you from using a plastic to-go container when going out to eat! Or it can be as easy as picking up plastic every time you visit the ocean!”
Tomas V said: “I believe that the best alternative to reduce the use of plastic in your life is to use reusables and if not then consume in biodegradable materials. Something that has been working for me for a while is to live constantly with only essentials, and overall diminish the use of a lot of consumables which become disposable.”