Fossil fuels<\/strong> release carbon dioxide when we burn them for energy. This carbon pollution traps heat in the atmosphere, causing our planet to overheat and the climate to change. Here\u2019s where oceans come to the rescue. They slow down the speed of climate change by soaking up around one third<\/a> of our carbon pollution. They also absorb more than 90%<\/a> of the heat from global warming!<\/p>\n\n People and governments around the world are waking up to the fact that we can\u2019t keep taking the oceans for granted. Movements to protect oceans and keep them healthy are growing, and you can help.<\/p>\n\n The climate-regulating superpowers of the oceans may not last forever.<\/p>\n\n Hotter temperatures are already hurting<\/a> the ocean\u2019s animals and plants. They\u2019re also changing important life support systems like ocean currents<\/a>. And as the oceans absorb more carbon dioxide, they\u2019re getting more acidic. This makes it harder for marine life to grow strong shells and skeletons.<\/p>\n\n Scientists worry that oceans will stop storing carbon and start releasing it<\/a> if their natural systems are disturbed enough. If that happens, the oceans won\u2019t be working to slow climate change any longer. They could speed it up!<\/p>\n\n We must stop burning fossil fuels and overheating our planet. To help protect the oceans, we can switch to renewable and clean sources of energy, like the sun and wind.<\/p>\n\n Plastic garbage is piling up everywhere, even in the deepest parts of the oceans. At least 5 trillion<\/a> pieces of plastic are floating in the oceans right now.<\/p>\n\n This plastic harms the ocean animals who get tangled in it or accidentally eat it. The plastic they eat has harmful chemicals that are absorbed into their bodies. These chemicals can cause health problems like fish having fewer healthy babies<\/a>. And there\u2019s another problem with plastic.<\/p>\n\n Over 99%<\/a> of plastic comes from fossil fuels, like oil, coal, and natural gas. Plastic releases carbon dioxide throughout its life cycle, heating up the planet. When we make, use, and throw away plastic, we speed up climate change and hurt the oceans more.<\/p>\n\n People in Canada are demanding that the federal government create rules to limit the amount of plastic we make and use. They want the government to ban the harmful chemicals used to make plastic and to ban single-use plastics<\/strong>, or plastics used once and thrown away.<\/p>\n\n You can let your MP know you want an end to plastic pollution. You can also join with people urging Canada\u2019s government to support a strong Global Plastics Treaty. This UN agreement between around 175 nations could cut plastic production and end pollution across the lifecycle of plastic.<\/p>\n\n The oceans, and the wide variety of life they shelter, aren\u2019t limitless. But we often treat them as though they are. <\/p>\n\n Many species are close to disappearing<\/a> <\/strong>because of overfishing and harmful kinds of fishing.<\/strong> For example, the giant nets used for bottom trawling<\/strong> scoop up everything in their paths as they\u2019re dragged across the ocean\u2019s floor. They destroy habitats and turn ancient coral gardens to rubble. <\/p>\n\n And now there\u2019s a new threat to life under the water \u2013 deep sea mining.<\/p>\n\n Some countries and companies are racing to start mining metals and minerals from the floor of the deep ocean, one of Earth\u2019s last untouched spaces. It\u2019s home to an amazing number of animals and plants. It\u2019s also vital for the livelihoods and traditions of millions in the world, such as people from the Pacific<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n Scientists around the world are warning<\/a> that deep sea mining could seriously harm ocean life. That\u2019s why there\u2019s growing support from the public and world leaders to stop deep sea mining before it starts.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-canada-stateless\/2025\/04\/77f2d771-gp0su3vmk_pressmedia-2500px-min-1024x683.jpg\")
1. Say good-bye to fossil fuels<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
2. End plastic pollution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
3. Take less, leave more<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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