It’s a time of urgent environmental crisis – there is so much we want to change, protect and preserve – and that can feel hopeless at times.
But we are all more powerful than we think. Together, small actions can make a big impact.
At Sea Soul Blessings, our main ambition is to protect and preserve the natural world we love. By taking direct actions in support of that, by spreading our love for the ocean so that others share that passion too, and by creating tools that build peace, resilience and compassion so that we’re all more able to take action.
We know that it can sometimes be hard to stay engaged when there are so many challenges to face – the climate crisis, the destruction of our natural environment in so many different ways, the inequality of the suffering that this causes worldwide. And that’s just the environmental challenges – we know there’s also widespread poverty, racial injustice, the challenges of a pandemic, and legal and political system that often isn’t fit for purpose. Along with so many other things we want to change for the better.
And yet… if we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the immensity of the challenges, we ‘freeze’. And that means we can’t make a difference anywhere. We have to start somewhere.
So below, I’ll share a little about what we do, and why we do it. I’ll offer some thoughts on what helps when the task of changing, protecting and preserving what we love all feels too much. And I’ll share some organisations and businesses that are making a positive difference right now.
What we do
Because we can’t do everything at once, our current focus at Sea Soul Blessings is on protecting and preserving the natural environment for all – especially our seas.
We do that by encouraging others to see the beauty and value of the oceans, and by investing in direct actions that make a difference.
We also work towards protecting and preserving the world by strengthening you… By creating resources that help you to pause, to find greater resilience and self compassion.
Tools that support you to practice moving through moments of challenge towards positive action – in whatever form that takes for you right now.
From our conception, we’ve donated funds and time to environmental causes, and as of 16 September 2019, we have been donating a proportion of income from each sale (right now, that’s 10% of the purchase price of everything we sell).
Every month, we make a decision about which cause to donate to…
Since 16 September 2019, 10% of the purchase price is always donated to environmental causes and organisations who bring the ocean to those who need it most, most frequently, Surfers Against Sewage, a national charity based in Cornwall, who inspire, unite and empower communities to protect oceans, beaches, waves and wildlife.
We’re proud members of Surfer Against Sewage’s SAS 250 Club, allowing us to widen the environmental impact of all we do. If we have a good month, sometimes, we share that 10% investment more widely – using it to support other environmental causes. You can find out more about these on social media and in our Sea Soul Newsletter (sign up here).
For Surfers Against Sewage, we also donate via Work for Good – which means that you can find us over there too. In 2019, we made it into Work for Good’s top 30% of regular business donators.
We’re working towards a position where we can ultimately donate 50% of net profits to environmental causes. Thank you so much for joining us here, and being part of that vision.
When it all feels too much…
We can all feel powerless sometimes in the face of the climate crisis, watching news stories that show the natural world being damaged and destroyed day by day. But it is not hopeless, all is not yet lost – we can still make a difference.
If you’ve brought something from us, you’ve already taken some positive action for the environment!
Here are some other ways to stay connected to hope:
1. Take some time to appreciate nature
This crisis reminds us to learn from nature, to spend time appreciating all we have, and to connect with others doing valuable work to protect and preserve the natural world, all around the globe.
Making change can be difficult, but returning to the sea – or the nature offers continual reminders of what we love and why. Grounded in our appreciation of the sea, and reminded of our connection to it all, we can draw the strength and motivation we need to move forward.
Not only that, but time in nature – especially ‘blue mind’ spaces in and around the water – has been scientifically proven to benefit our physical and mental health (like this recent report that links two hours spent in nature a week to good health and wellbeing). Time in nature increases activity in our parasympathetic nervous system (our body’s rest and relaxation mode) and reduces our sympathetic nervous system (our stress responses), helps us to process our emotions, and the diverse range of microbes we bump into when in nature has benefits for our health and immune systems.
More great reason for protecting it if you need those – but also for getting outside and soaking up all those benefits.
2. Remind yourself you are not alone
When we feel alone, time in nature can help connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Sometimes, when the problems feel overwhelming, it can also be helpful to take a moment to pause and acknowledge the growing groundswell of support for our natural environment all around the world – take a look at the list of organisations below who are all doing amazing work to protect and preserve the environment for starters…
As we bring our awareness to the vast swathe of positive actions being taken in place of the problems, we can slowly move ourselves into a more fluid, and less terrified, state of mind. One that allows us to move forward again – and to continue taking positive action.
We can also make a difference on our own. Collecting just three pieces of rubbish from the beach may feel inconsequential, but it starts to make a difference. Not just to the world around us, but to our sense of agency.
3. Team up with others
It can be empowering to connect directly with a group or environmental initiative that is making a positive impact close to home. Working alongside others, we can start taking those small steps, together, to protect the natural world that sustains us all.
For example, locally, I love the work of Plastic Free Penzance and Surfers Against Sewage. Penzance, where we live, became the UK’s very first plastic-free town. My kids have also inspired me by joining protests organised by Youth Strike 4 Climate.
We can also look towards the ‘bigger fish’ in the world of environmental action, and towards those working further afield.
Who are the active and impactful organisations we can promote, encourage and support on this journey? Who is working towards strategic change at the highest levels?
Enough of us choosing to donate just a small amount on a regular basis can form the basis of a powerful world-changing campaign.
Below, we’re gathering a list of some of the organisations who are already doing important work to protect our seas, inspire action and appreciation for the sea, and to deepen the public’s understanding of the environmental challenges we face.
Please let us know about projects and organisations you support – together, we can learn more about the amazing community of sea-lovers of which we are all a part – working together to make a positive difference.
4. Be kind to yourself
It’s easy to feel discouraged by not doing ‘enough’ or leading the ‘perfect’ sustainable and ethical life.
The truth is that it’s impossible to lead a perfect sustainable and ethical life, or to set up a perfect sustainable and ethical business for that matter – our world isn’t yet set up for that.
But what we can do is start – by making one small change at a time. And being kind to ourselves as we go. We need to get comfortable with doing things imperfectly, but keeping moving. We’re more likely to continue making positive changes if we can motivate ourselves with kindness than criticism.
And as for not being enough – as the brilliant Andréa Renae reminds me, it’s not your sole responsibility to solve all the problems of the world. We can each play our part. You don’t have to be enough on your own – we need to be enough together.
Organisations making a difference
Surfers Against Sewage
Greenpeace
World Wildlife Fund
Global Ghost Gear Initiative
Ghostbusters ADLFG Recovery
Friends of the Earth
Blue Life Connections
Authors For Oceans
I am Water
City to Sea
Earthwatch
David Suzuki Foundation
The Ocean Cleanup
The Climate Coalition
The Ocean Foundation
10:10 Climate Action
Campaign Against Climate Change
Friends of the Earth (England and Wales)
Friends of the Earth (Scotland)
Sea Life Trust: Cornish Seal Sanctuary
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
(including the Cornwall Seal Hospital)
Falmouth Marine Conservation
The Ocean Foundation: Blue Mind Fund
Women’s Environmental Network
Marine Conservation Society
Ocean Conservation Trust
Sea Shepherd
Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center
5 Gyres
Plastics Oceans Foundation
Plastic Oceans UK
Ocean Conservancy
Extinction Rebellion
350.org
350 Pacific
The Wildlife Trusts
Aim Hi Earth
Wicked Weather Watch
Seaful
The Wave Project Cornwall
Stop Cambo
Sea Changers
The Shark Trust
Whale and Dolphin Conservation
Reef World Foundation
Oceans North
Blue Marine Foundation (check out their interactive online experience to explore healthy oceans)
Ocean Alliance
“The future is a fog that is still hanging out over the sea, a boat that floats home or does not.” Anne Sexton
Businesses making a difference
As part of this journey, we’re starting to learn about the many innovative businesses working to build the circular economy, by using recycled marine materials – these include Odyssey Innovation, Finisterre, Planet Love Life, Econyl, and The Other Bag. And to learn more about organisations like The Economist Group World Ocean Initiative who try to find ways to marry economic needs with those of a healthy ocean.
Another way we can help is by supporting sustainable and ethical businesses where we can, and continuing to share information and resources about good practice.
And of course – feel free to buy Sea Soul Blessings for your friends and loved ones as tools to help manage anxiety and stress – while also saving the planet!
“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it’s always our self we find in the sea.”
E.E. Cummings
