From student advocate to sustainability leader! Vanessa R. started her journey with Plastic Free Cities unsure of how to make an impact. Now, she’s leading canvassing workshops, mentoring students, and even getting local businesses to join the movement!

From June 2–7, 2024, Sea Youth Rise Up united global youth in D.C. for a week of training, lobbying, and ocean advocacy. They met with lawmakers, attended CHOW, and heard from 40+ experts. Big Blue & You co-led this powerful week of action!

Plastic Free Cities Student Mentor Vanessa Carbajal shares how the program opened her eyes to the impact of plastic pollution—and why reducing our personal plastic use is key to protecting the planet.

Want to know more about our Big Blue Crew? Check out this blog where four high school students talk about how they are taking an active role in fighting for our oceans!

Ocean conservation, also known as marine conservation, is the protection and preservation of marine ecosystems. Ocean conservation aims to protect marine species, habitats, and coastal communities while limiting the damage caused by human activity. Conservationists advocate for the health of our oceans, recognizing that life on Earth depends on healthy oceans.

Our Communications Intern & 2019 Sea Youth Rise Up Delegate here at Big Blue & You, Apurva Iyengar, recently had the opportunity to host a session at the IUCN “One Nature, One Future” Global Youth Summit.

Since the Ocean Heroes Bootcamp program was co-founded by Lonely Whale and the Captain Planet Foundation in 2018, Big Blue & You trained more than 500 kids ages 11 to 18 on communications strategies to fight plastic pollution. Unfortunately, this program was shuttered due to the pandemic, but we hope to contribute again when it is revived!