So why is 30 by 30 important? If we protect our oceans, our oceans will protect us. Oceans are resilient. Science and history have shown us that life comes back in protected areas. When we contribute to our ocean’s safety, the ocean contributes to our climate safety. But protecting any 30% of the ocean won’t do the trick—it has to be the RIGHT 30%. Identifying key ocean areas that play a crucial role in ocean resilience is something researchers have been looking at for years. Some of these factors include protecting ecosystems that are still intact or areas that have the potential to be, conservation that supports landscape connectivity, and conserving ocean regions that are representative of the world’s various diverse ecosystems.

While ocean protection may seem far off, like someone else’s job, it’s not. Here are various ways you can contribute to the 30 by 30 goal. The first step is to learn. Learn about ocean conservation, the various initiatives in place, and why they are in place. Once you’ve done that, spread the word. Use your newfound knowledge in everyday conversations and talk about the planet, the ocean, and the 30 by 30 goal. Simple dialogue is the first step to making a difference. If you’re the social media kind of person, use the hashtag #love30x30. Another way to get involved is to look into what your local government is doing about ocean conservation. Are they supporting 30×30? Finally, if you have the resources, donate to organizations like Ocean Unite that are working to make this goal a reality. Remember, change happens one step at a time!