While we need action to protect our lands, waters and ocean, any legislation doing so must protect them equitably, on behalf of wildlife, which has no voice, and on behalf of communities in California that are under-represented in politics, like my own. That is why, every July, we celebrate Latino Conservation Week: a time to recognize Latino contributions to the environment and bring Latino voices to the forefront of conservation discourse, from land to freshwaters to climate change to the ocean.
We get so much from the ocean. Materially, the ocean supplies us with seafood and livelihoods, and spiritually, it nurtures our well-being: a place where we can rest our minds and take in our emotions. Without protections, the ocean becomes a commodity, and that’s not how we should be treating an entity that gives us so much. Our ocean is at risk from climate change, overfishing, habitat destruction and plastic pollution. We can’t continue depleting it and assume it will bounce back on its own.
When we diminish the health of the ocean, we take away our own livelihoods. The careers and quality of life of future generations are at risk if we don’t protect ocean health and protect 30% of it. This moment will impact generations to come and we can choose the future.
For Californians, the 30×30 legislation can also promote equity. By having a protected ocean, we let ecosystems regenerate, and we designate new spaces for people to enjoy and consider their role in the environment. That’s why it’s important to include funding for programs that get underserved communities to the ocean and study what barriers block access to the ocean.
We need to recognize that you don’t need to look a particular way to be an environmentalist. Anyone can make a difference – like the folks I taught in adult schools for English learners, who brought their lunches in reused containers with cutlery from home. We know based on initiatives, like Latino Conservation Week, that people of color love being outdoors, but it can be difficult when so many neighborhoods are nature deprived, and there aren’t any parks or coastal access nearby. By ensuring 30% of ecosystems are protected, especially where protected coasts can bring access to underserved communities, we are investing in ourselves and the future of the earth.
As far inland as you might live, every waterway leads to the ocean. What goes into your storm drain doesn’t necessarily get cleaned up – sanitation infrastructure is not a given for many, especially lower-income and nonwhite communities. Those chemicals enter our waterways and eventually the ocean. And that pollution not only harms wildlife but can itself be a barrier to recreating at the beach. That’s why it’s essential to understand what barriers exist that impede access to the ocean – and to break down those barriers with protections and programming under 30×30.
We know what it looks like to have a healthy relationship with the ocean. And we know what an unhealthy relationship looks like – it’s the one that led to the loss of Monterey Bay’s sardine industry. We can’t just take until the ocean is depleted. With 30×30, we have the potential to ensure nothing is taken away, but instead is being protected for the use and enjoyment of generations to come.
If you feel strongly about an issue, you should advocate for it, use your voice, and speak up. As somebody who cares about ocean and coastal protection, this Latino Conservation Week I’ll use my voice and make sure those in my community understand why it is so important to speak on behalf of the ocean. Because the ocean doesn’t have a voice. So it’s up to us to speak on its behalf, not just to ensure the health of our earth, but for our own health, the health of future generations, and all the lives that depend on the ocean.