This Hashtag Keeps Track of Actions That Improve the Earth’s Oceans

Thanks to conservation efforts taken across the globe, the world’s oceans are healthier than ever, and through a special hashtag, stories, findings, and resources are shared regarding the improvements over the years.

“There are a lot of successes out there, and most people don’t know about them,” says Nancy Knowlton, a coral reef biologist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. This is why starting in 2014, she teamed up with Conservation Optimism and Cambridge Conservation Initiative to push #oceanoptimism on Twitter.

The hashtag brings to light several reasons to remain optimistic about our oceans. For example, endangered species are saved thanks to high-profile conservation efforts; notably, the population of humpback whales went from 450 in the 1950s to roughly 25,000 today. Also, treaties, regulations, and changing technology are contributing to a better management of fisheries around the globe. And as Marine Protected Areas are rapidly expanding, ecosystems in which biodiversity thrives are better guarded. Progress has also been made in the global struggle against pollution with a ban on leaded fuels, fewer oil spills, and innovations developed to reduce plastic in oceans. Plus, it is now possible to restore mangroves to almost their historical extent within the next three decades as they are among the most crucial coastal ecosystems: since they sequester large amounts of carbon, they play a hugely positive role in mitigating climate change.