About
Addressing the climate crisis and protecting ocean health are inextricably connected
Key to tackling both of these challenges is a recognition of the importance of collaboration and the critical role youth leadership plays in advancing policies to protect our ocean planet. Launched in 2016, Sea Youth Rise Up (SYRUP) is a collaborative initiative founded by Big Blue & You, Youth Ocean Conservation Summit and The Ocean Project to empower and mobilize young people to stand up for our ocean. Since then, additional organizations have joined as collaborators including EarthEcho International, Clean Miami Beach, From the Bow Seat, and New England Aquarium.
SYRUP provides young ocean leaders with the opportunity to build and directly apply communication and advocacy skills by elevating ocean conservation issues with government officials and other decision makers. It unites young leaders from across the country in Washington D.C. for several days centered around Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) and World Ocean Day (June 8th), and builds on the youth-led ocean advocacy that has been critical to advancing investments in ocean protection and ocean-based climate solutions.
From Ben May on his SYRUP experience:
“In 2016, I had the opportunity to advocate as a delegate in the inaugural Sea Youth Rise Up campaign for the establishment of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. This protected area, the first of its kind for the US in the Atlantic ocean, is needed to protect New England’s fragile deep water ecosystems from exploitation. The survival of endangered species like sperm and fin whales could rely on the continued protection of this area. As commercial fisheries historically derive less than 5% of their catch from this protected area, the monument has little to no economic downside. Protecting this monument is in the best interest of America, global communities, and our planet.”
