Sustainability

The ocean, spanning up to seventy percent of Earth, is the reason why all breathing organisms are still here today. It regulates global temperatures, absorbs carbon dioxide, and produces more than half of the oxygen we breathe. Yet, climate change and human activity are putting enormous stress on this life-giving resource. The effects of global…

As climate change and industrialization continue to threaten our planet, more people are looking for ways to live — and give — sustainably. Around the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in consumer culture, filling carts with material gifts that may be forgotten or discarded after a season. But if you think outside the…

Water is the essential elixir of life on Earth. It covers about 70% of the planet’s surface and houses at least 240,000 known plant and animal species. Clean water enables marine life to thrive, but it also ensures the continuance of our planet’s water cycle. Naturally, boaters appreciate the beauty and life-giving potential of the…

San Diego is known for its sunny beaches, vibrant culture, and endless outdoor activities. But beyond the surfboards and sunsets, the city offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy all it has to offer in eco-friendly ways. From biking and hiking to whale watching and beach cleanups, here are some of the best sustainable ways to…

Gray whales are magnificent animals. They travel as far as 14,000 miles each year on their migratory routes from the Arctic to Central America and back. These 40-50-foot-long marine mammals used to roam all the waters of the Northern Hemisphere, but extensive whaling in the 19th and early 20th centuries brought gray whales to the…

While it’s taken many years, marine mammal advocates are finally seeing a change in California’s fishing regulations. State officials have called off Dungeness crab season in California to protect humpback whales who migrate to the California coast in the spring to feed on krill and small fish. The announcement will impact both recreational and commercial…

A coral reef ecosystem is an intricate collection of species that inhabit the physical space around coral reefs. Each one is a vibrant underwater community that serves as a home to thousands of species of marine organisms. The importance of coral reefs cannot be overstated. More than one-quarter of marine life depend on these delicate…

When plastic was introduced in 1907, it changed many industries. Plastic is a versatile and cheap material used in everyday products, from home construction to food packaging. How much plastic is in the ocean? In the 1950s, just 2 million tons of plastic was manufactured yearly. Today, that figure is around 450 million tons. About…

In December 2023, scientists and researchers off the coast of Alaska had what they describe as a 20-minute “conversation” with a whale named Twain. The experiment was a collaboration between the University of California, Davis, the SETI Institute, and the Alaska Whale Foundation. The endeavor was not only an experiment in whale communication but also…

Coral reefs are known as the rainforests of the sea. The Great Barrier Reef covers some 133,000 square miles of the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland, Australia. While most of us may never have the opportunity to see the Great Barrier Reef in person, we can learn more about coral reeds and how…