World Ocean Month is observed each June, but here at Pacific Environment our work protecting the oceans continues every day. With staff in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam (extraordinarily biodiverse nations with a long history of ocean reliance and management) as well as the United States, we combat threats to our oceans by using scientific research to advance meaningful protections for our oceans that engage communities, support global policies and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
But what are the greatest threats to our oceans right now? Read on to learn what Pacific Environment is doing to tackle them.
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution entangles animals and contaminates food chains
Pacific Environment works to address plastic pollution at the source from grassroots action to global advocacy. On the local level, we partner with coastal communities in Trat Province, Thailand, where we train local community members to identify and remove plastic fishing nets.
On the global stage, our team advocates for a strong Global Plastics Treaty through the United Nations Environment Programme, which would create strong, legally binding rules to curb plastic production, preventing plastic pollution in our oceans.
Illegal fishing
Illegal fishing destroys critical habitats and threatens endangered species
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing doesn’t just impact wildlife, it also threatens coastal communities reliant on them for their livelihoods. That’s why we’re committed to supporting sustainable practices that protect delicate ecosystems from illegal and excessive fishing. We engage in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030 (30×30).
We advocate globally and nationally across the countries where we work for stronger and more equitable applications of 30×30. And these efforts are paying off: In the Philippines, Pacific Environment recognizes and incentivizes the largest effectively-managed local MPA showing how marine conservation supports global efforts as well as local ecosystems and the people who care about them. And in Thailand, we are currently working to designate new protected areas that will directly combat these threats to a pristine island habitat.
Climate change
Climate change is accelerating and damaging entire ecosystems
Climate change is humanity’s greatest environmental threat, and global maritime shipping is a major contributor — with massive ocean-going vessels burning some of the dirtiest fuels on the planet. These emissions don’t just warm the planet. They pollute the air and oceans, harming marine ecosystems and the port communities that depend on them. That’s why Pacific Environment is one of the leading nonprofit organizations taking action on maritime shipping. With our consultative status, Pacific Environment staff engage at the highest level of maritime shipping policy at the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), where we advocate for stronger policies, meet with world leaders, submit policy briefs, contribute expertise and more. And our work at the IMO is making progress; we’re helping to move forward plans for the world’s first maritime shipping carbon framework to hold the worst polluters accountable and support countries most impacted by shipping-caused climate change.
Our work spans global negotiations and real-world implementation. From advancing cleaner fuel pathways and stronger shipping standards to supporting policies that protect communities and strengthen long-term competitiveness in Asia and the U.S., we are helping to preserve the health and resilience of our oceans for future generations.
Underwater noise
Underwater noise from shipping disrupts the communication, migration, feeding and other essential aspects of marine life
While underwater noise harms marine mammals such as whales and dolphins, Pacific Environment is working to create safer — and less noisy — underwater ecosystems. In our work at the IMO, the UN agency which regulates global shipping issues, we have effectively advocated for improved shipping policies to decrease underwater noise. This led to the IMO’s 2024 adoption of an action plan to reduce underwater-radiated noise from ships, a necessary step toward legally binding regulations to quiet vessels.
These threats to our oceans, marine life and coastal communities may be concerning, but they don’t have to be the final call. With your support, Pacific Environment will continue to move forward the critical work we do, large and small: from supporting local projects in Southeast Asia to engaging world leaders at the United Nations.
Support our work — Make a gift todayWe hope our efforts at Pacific Environment show you that protecting our oceans — and consequently, ourselves — is something we can participate in year-round.
