Jill Lamontagne, MSEd, BS, is a Kennebunk‑based health educator and social‑work leader who couples two decades of public‑health experience with hands‑on environmental advocacy. As Assistant Supervisor of Adult Case Management at Waypoint, she designs evidence‑based wellness plans, mentors cross‑agency teams, and champions service‑learning projects that tackle real‑world challenges—ocean pollution chief among them. From coordinating large‑scale Maine Coastal Clean‑Up efforts to teaching students the ripple effects of household waste, Jill translates complex ecological data into practical steps that empower communities to safeguard marine ecosystems.
Anyone interested in leading a more environmentally conscious life should consider how their lifestyle and behavior impact the ocean. The world’s oceans are facing many threats, from global warming to various sources of pollution, including pesticides and industrial runoff. The health of the ocean is critically important to all life on Earth and forms the backbone of the world’s economies. With this in mind, individuals should consider several steps they can take toward supporting improved ocean health.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, people can do several things from the comfort of their homes to help improve the health of the world’s oceans. To start, individuals should assess their water usage and try to conserve water whenever possible. Per the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average American uses 82 gallons of water per day at home.
Individuals can immediately reduce their water consumption by 20 percent by switching to water‑efficient fixtures and appliances. The switch would also save the typical American household several hundred dollars on water expenses. People can also consider certain lifestyle changes. For instance, it takes nearly 40 gallons of water to fill a bathtub, but a shower uses about two gallons per minute.
Americans should also minimize the number of pollutants they use around their homes and yards. Consumers should opt for products that use nontoxic chemicals whenever possible. Following the use of herbicides, pesticides, or cleaning products, the materials should be properly cleaned and disposed of so that they do not seep into the ground and enter the water table, or pollute a local stream or river that may connect to the ocean.
Individuals should also improve their waste management practices. Minimizing waste yields many health benefits for the planet, including reducing the amount of trash that ends up in the ocean. The ocean is filled with an astounding 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste, or about 296,000 tons of floating garbage. While this is a tremendous amount, only 15 percent of plastic garbage floats, with the vast bulk of it sinking into the below‑water ecosystem.
When it comes to shopping, individuals can do more than avoid toxic chemicals and pesticides. For example, when searching for seafood, shoppers should only purchase sustainably sourced products. Shoppers can also cut back on plastic waste by eschewing products with lots of plastic and using reusable shopping bags as opposed to disposable plastic or paper bags.
Traveling between home and the store presents another opportunity to minimize harmful pollution in the form of vehicle exhaust, thereby reducing carbon emissions and the effects of climate change. People can decrease vehicle pollution by driving fuel‑efficient vehicles, carpooling when possible, and cycling.
Individuals can also change their behaviors while on the ocean. Anglers must abide by all national and local fishing laws, including catch and release laws, which have been designed to keep wild fish populations healthy and thriving. Boaters should refrain from anchoring in or around vulnerable coral and sea grasses. Generally speaking, all ocean habitats should be treated with respect and care.
Finally, conservation efforts are happening all the time in many different places. Individuals and families should volunteer for local beach cleanups or related community initiatives whenever they have the chance.