OCEAN PROGRAM

Bridging science and policy to advance justice and care for the ocean, marine biodiversity, and coastal communities.

News & Events

  • Op-ed

    “The full plastic lifecycle…represents an ocean justice crisis.” Read more!

  • New Blog

    Read our latest blog: “The Global Plastics Treaty and ‘Plastics Justice’—A Primer”

  • Press Release

    Learn about ELC’s groundbreaking report on advancing ocean justice.

Together with partners, we have:

  1. Provided input and expertise to Panama’s national Sea Turtle Law in collaboration with The Leatherback Project. Passed in 2023, this law, among other protections, recognizes the inherent rights of sea turtles and their habitats.

  2. Advanced the concept of Ocean Rights. Initially developed in 2017, this movement has since evolved to include a global campaign for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights by 2030, presented to the UNGA in the fall of 2023, in collaboration with The Ocean Race, Ocean Vision Legal, the Government of Cabo Verde, and other partners.

  3. Fostered ocean plastic literacy. We raise awareness of the multifaceted impacts of ocean plastics on health, climate, rights, and justice, and we pursue research and advocacy to integrate ocean justice in global plastic talks at the UN and local levels.

Current Campaigns

  • Plastics & Ocean Justice

    We advocate for policy solutions to address the injustices perpetuated by plastics.

  • Ocean Rights

    With partners, we mobilize leaders towards restoring our relationship with the ocean.

  • Ocean & Plastic Literacy

    We help increase ocean and plastic literacy, illuminating connections between human actions and ocean health.

Downloadable resources for the Ocean Program

Help fund the Ocean Program’s work in the fight for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights

Header Photo: The Ocean Agency / Ocean Image Bank Footer ; News & Events Photo: Unsplash / Ralph Mayhew; Resources Photo: Lewis Burnett / Ocean Image Bank
Footer Photo: Single Fin Photos / Ocean Image Bank