We Are
Interfaith Oceans
Protecting ocean systems and species,
people and cultures,
through faith and science
working together.
Why We are Needed
Interfaith Oceans is a multi-religious program to help preserve, conserve, and restore the gifts given to all in the oceans-- the systems, species, and coastal communities. The oceans cover more than 70% of Earth’s surface and contain more than 95% of the planet’s water. The oceans support all of life on land with oxygen, food, weather, livelihoods, and beauty. They hold within them colorful, amazing communities of life.
Yet you can see the rising, warming sea levels, acidifying sea water, and rapidly declining marine life. Island and coastal communities are suffering the loss of fisheries, homes, and fresh water, along with devastating storms. The oceans systems are being degraded from overfishing, plastic trash, carbon, and chemical pollution. Faith and science must work together to protect and restore ocean life for all. We offer information on the issues, varied religious perspectives (such as Catholic, Protestant, Jewish), and menus for action.
What We Do
Share Information
The Religious Declaration of Ocean Emergency outlines the key issues harming ocean peoples, systems, and species. Most are related to pollution (fossil fuels and plastics), overuse, and abuse, The issue pages provide more information and things you can do to help. Join the movement to open the minds and hearts of policymakers to craft caring, sustainable ocean policies. The Interfaith Ocean Ethic provides moral guidance based on shared religious and spiritual principles of responsibility, stewardship, and care of the poor. Use the information to talk heart-to-heart with your representatives.
Awaken Others
We know that faith communities and its members need to fully understand the issues, interconnections, and choices in light of their own religion's beliefs, teachings, Scriptures, and prophets. We share resources from varied religions that can help highlight the connections between the suffering of the coastal peoples and damage to ocean systems and species to faith principles. There are also resources on marine science, books, films, news on Facebook, blog news and profiles. You can strive to awaken the hearts and minds of others toward ocean issues. There are resources from different faith communities of the need to care for creation, the poor, and the oceans.
Take
Action
With knowledge of the religious, ethical, and ecological principles, we can all work to build positive, sustainable habits and public policies. Add the work of your hands by committing yourself with a pledge to take caring steps within your reach and encourage others to do the same. A menu of actions is provided that you and your faith community can choose from. We encourage you to pray together, discuss issues, take actions, support marine protected areas, and get involved in restoration activities and the ocean campaigns of our partners.
What We are Accomplishing
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"So what we do to the oceans,
God’s vast blue Creation,
we do to God’s other creations,
including ourselves. . . ."
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
