Making Waves: How College Campuses Are Saving the Oceans

When you think of college campuses, sustainability usually isn’t the first thing to come to mind. But did you know that students and universities all around the world are taking small steps to protect our oceans better? From sustainable dining options to lakeshore cleanups, together we are stepping up to save our seas. Here’s how students on different college campuses are making waves in the fight for ocean sustainability!

At Stanford University, student organizations have taken the lead in achieving the university’s ambitious goal of reaching zero waste by 2030. Groups like Students for a Sustainable Stanford organize waste reduction workshops, advocate for improved recycling programs, and host annual waste audits to track progress. By participating in the “Campus Race to Zero Waste” campaign, students at Stanford are learning how to be more conscious of the ocean while keeping the spirit of friendly competition. Small reminders to students like removing food containers from recyclable bins may seem insignificant, but they contribute to broader ocean sustainability efforts.

At the University of California, student-led advocacy groups are driving ocean-friendly policy changes. Organizations like the California Student Sustainability Coalition have successfully lobbied for state legislation that reduces plastic waste and expands marine protected areas. Students have also taken part in rallies and public hearings to push for stronger environmental protections. Their goal is to achieve a 30% protection of coastal waters by 2030. Through their advocacy, students play a critical role in influencing government decisions that impact marine environments.

Across the border in Canada at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, QCOS–our club leads shoreline cleanups along Lake Ontario to prevent plastic waste from reaching the ocean! Meanwhile, Queen’s University students involved in environmental research are studying the effects of microplastic pollution in freshwater sources and its long-term impact on marine ecosystems. The university is also working on restoring local wetland ecosystems, helping to protect aquatic biodiversity and reduce pollutants that could eventually reach the ocean. 

Similarly, at the University of Sydney in Australia, student-led groups are spearheading efforts in marine conservation. The Sydney University Environmental Collective has pushed for the reduction of single-use plastics on campus and has successfully campaigned for the university to ban plastic straws and cutlery. Student researchers from the university’s Institute of Marine Science have also contributed to coral reef restoration projects, developing innovative techniques to help reefs recover from climate change damage.

From North America to Australia and beyond, student-led initiatives on college campuses are proving that young people have the power to protect our planet’s waters. Whether through waste reduction, advocacy, or hands-on conservation efforts, students are taking charge in the fight for ocean sustainability. As students continue to advocate for sustainability, universities will remain key players in ensuring a future for our oceans.

Should You Go to the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada?

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Some of my fondest memories from elementary school consist of my experiences from school field trips. To this day, my visit to the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is a core memory. With its interactive activities, various exhibitions, and educative displays, many leave Ripley’s Aquarium with a newfound appreciation for the ocean and marine life. As a nine-year-old, the opportunity to physically touch a stingray at one of the exhibitions played a pivotal role in fostering my interest in ocean conservation initiatives. By providing the means to create personal connections with marine life through the experiences offered by Ripley’s Aquarium, many people can find a reason to take the initiative to be informed about issues relating to the ocean. 

Ripley’s Stingray Experience 

Although my experiences at Ripley’s Aquarium were positive, reflection has allowed me to acknowledge that many aspects of the aquarium raise ethical concerns. For example, while physical touch with marine creatures through the use of touch tanks may result in humans leaving with a newfound appreciation for the ocean, animals being subjected to physical touch from humans can induce stress responses. In conjunction with the manmade nature of aquariums, exposure to constant touch increases the amount of pathogens and foreign bacteria in the environment–potentially resulting in sickness for various marine species.

A second ethical implication resulting from the nature of aquariums relates to wildlife trafficking. Wildlife trafficking involves the transport of non-domesticated plants and animals from their natural habitats to environments that are controlled by humans. Oftentimes the phrase wildlife trafficking calls up images of animal poaching and the elephant ivory trade, however, it is a practice that is utilized by aquariums by Ripley’s. Aquariums are unable to breed the species of fish that they often showcase, thereby relying on the animals to be captured in the wild and kept in captivity. Throughout this process which involves the capture and transportation of the marine species, a large number of species of saltwater fish simply die as the biological and social requirements for them to thrive cannot be met once they have been placed in captivity. 

Seaspiracy 

Is Ecotourism Inherently Bad?

Tourists diving with whale sharks in Oslob, Philippines

Map of Marine Protected Areas

Ecotourism, the act of environmentally responsible travel and visitation to different areas of nature has long been criticized for being counterintuitive due to its nature of being environmentally insensitive as a result of international tourism. Oftentimes, ecotourism is conducted in natural areas such as nature reserves, parks, wilderness areas, and marine protected areas. Recent studies evaluating the effects of ecotourism in Marine Protected Areas suggest that ecotourism has a positive effect on marine governance in addition to improving local attitudes to marine conservation. Ultimately, this begs the question of whether or not the benefits of ecotourism can outweigh its negative consequences attributed to travel. 

A study conducted by the University of Victoria in Canada evaluated three locations in the Philippines (Oslob, Donsol, and Pintuyan) offering tourists the opportunity to swim with sharks. Interviews with locals revealed that inappropriate behaviours in the form of violence against the whale sharks were considered the norm within the area. However, after having the opportunity to interact with the sharks in a hands-on tourist experience, the same locals reported they felt more inclined to protect the sharks, citing that incidences of hitting the sharks with stones, paddles, and dynamites had decreased. Additionally, locals expressed a stronger sense of community with the marine life overall as they were able to foster emotional connections with the whale sharks. From a government perspective, the topic of ecotourism becomes highly relevant when the significance of tourism is analysed in smaller island states as tourism plays a large role in determining economic growth, employment, and social development. Given the importance of tourism in the social and government infrastructures in countries that rely on tourism–and ecotourism as a result, government bodies are more inclined to take environmental precautions as a large fraction of the travel and tourism industry is driven by nature tourism. In the EU Blue Economy Report published in 2021, coastal tourism alone was the biggest sector in terms of both gross profit and employment. 

Although there is the belief that ecotourism is synonymous with environmentally conscious and ethical tourism, this is only true when it is conducted based on research and incorporates insight from local communities. This indicates that without the necessary precautions, the positive intent behind ecotourism can be overtaken by the desire for profit. For example, travel companies may utilize marketing schemes that advertise environmentally conscious practices in an attempt to appeal to tourists. Alternatively, a protected area can potentially increase in popularity as a result of ecotourism activities, thereby having irreversible impacts on wildlife. An example of this can be observed when whale watching becomes more prioritized as a tourism activity rather than an opportunity for locals to learn more about the mammals. Disruptive behaviours such as loud noises can potentially cause distress to whales as they are sensitive to loud noises. 

Despite ecotourism having the potential to foster a closer relationship with marine life and nature in addition to forcing government systems to prioritize nature and marine life conservation, it appears as though the prospect of ecotourism can be easily shifted into a marketing ploy at the expense of Marine Protected Areas. Conversely, if ecotourism placed a stronger emphasis on local travel, followed ethical regulations, and maintained facilities that actively minimized carbon emissions, while promoting genuine connections between people and nature, it may be a useful tool as we collectively work towards being more conscious of our actions on the earth.