Most of us associate the ocean with time spent relaxing on golden sands and swimming in the foamy surf of the sea, but are quick to forget that it’s so much more than just a feature of our summer holidays.

Spanning almost three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, the ocean is home to 94% of life on our planet, and is the greatest source of the atmosphere’s oxygen – it’s vital for our survival, but unfortunately, it’s barely surviving itself. Polluted with oil, waste and litter, it’s predicted that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fish. It’s time to act.

Help keep our waters flowing and fish swimming for years to come by supporting one of these fabulous events in London on and around Saturday 8th June 2019 – World Oceans Day.

A SLICE OF SUSTAINABILITY WITH ‘O VER ST JAMES

Serving up authentic and healthy Neapolitan food, Pure Sea Water replaces salt as a key ingredient in the pizzas at ‘O ver, due to its lower sodium content and higher concentration of minerals, which make for a lighter and more elastic dough that’s easier to digest.

True champions of the importance of the ocean, ‘O ver St James are launching a limited edition ‘Purer Pizza’ in celebration of World Oceans Day, which will be available from the 8th to the 15th of June. 100% of the profits made from the sale of the pizza will go to Plastic Oceans UK – a leading charity whose mission is to prevent plastic pollution from reaching the ocean within a generation.

I mean, really … is there an easier way to contribute to saving the turtles than eating a delicious pizza?

KIDS TAKE THE HELM AT THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM

With art workshops using recycled materials, live music and lots of prizes to be won, the National Maritime Museum are making it easy for any mini-campaigners to get involved this World Oceans Day, with their free family fun day. Besides, who better to steer us towards a safer future for our seas, than the ones who will end up living through the consequences if we don’t take action?

Fancy some more maritime merriment? The museum is home to free galleries like Polar Worlds and Pacific Encounters, as well as the popular AHOY! Children’s Gallery. Also, you’re in easy reach of the famous Cutty Sark – hop aboard, hear from the crew about life at sea, and learn the history of this epic ship that was once the fastest of its time.

© National Maritime Museum, London

CRUSADING FOR CONSERVATION IN CARNABY

Aiming to increase the amount of protected ocean from 4% to 30% by 2030, Project 0 are kicking off the first day of Soho Music Month with an epic afternoon of music, pop-ups and art on the 8th June – in celebration of World Oceans Day.

Chill out on with an ice-lolly on the ‘grass’ lawn, and enjoy the free live music, before heading to the Project 0 pop-up exhibition at 3 Newburgh Street to learn more about what we can all do to help protect our oceans.

The ideal souvenir from a day about conservation, the limited edition Carnaby X Project 0 reusable cotton tote bags are well worth a purchase; they’re only £15, and 100% of the profits made from their sales goes towards conservation work in the Thames. Designed by eco-conscious designers Tracey Emin, Fearne Cotton, Georgia May Jagger, Holly St Clair, Julian Höenig, and Suki Waterhouse, being a campaigner never looked so stylish.

AQUATIC ACTIVISM FOR ALL AGES AT THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM

Doing some aquatic-themed singing and storytelling, touching a real shark jaw, and looking at the underwater habitats made from plastic pollution at the #BeatPlasticPollution pop up exhibition are just some of the many interactive things the whole family can do at the Horniman Museum, in celebration of World Oceans Day. To top it all off, there’s free entry to the aquarium all day long.

Fancy getting lost in the depths of the ocean? Find out the inside scoop on popular exhibitions like Turtles in Trouble, Lego Lost at Sea, and Spotlight on Sharks, at the interactive talks lead by each of their curators.

Best of all, kids can get their creative juices flowing by entering the ocean-temed poetry competition – where prizes range from an oceans goodie bag, to a behind-the-scenes Aquarium tour, depending on the age of the child.

ART AND ADVOCACY AT DREAMBAGS JAGUARSHOES

The creatives exhibiting at the Face Your Waste event in Shoreditch from the 5th to the 8th June have each found unique ways to incorporate plastic waste – that was once destined for land-fill and oceans – into their art and music displays.

Hosted by The Colour of Water, this unforgettable evening in hipster hangout Dreambags JaguarShoes will host artists and illustrators from allaround the world, live music performances about environmental issues from up and coming rap artists, and workshops on waste reduction and eco-friendly living from ethical brands and companies like Greenpeace, Novel Skincare and LUSH.

Aiming to show the public that small actions can reap big changes, this event is a celebration of the power of creative people in pushing for progress and new ways of thinking.

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