Below we have given brief guidance by suggesting a framework-based approach on how to consider the ocean when deciding to act at different levels, both individually and in collaboration with larger organisations/communities. Also attached is a way of immediately contacting us for collaboration or talks.
- Collaborate & Co-Create info@oceanhealthcare.org
- Book a talk: Healthcare Ocean Speaker Request Form
Community/Organisational actions
For organisations and communities, the framework below should be applied when deciding on and committing actions so that nature footprint, nature recovery and inequalities are all considered
- Do not create new inequalities or perpetuate existing inequalities (nature connections)
- Restore nature and biodiversity (nature recovery)
- Consider your impact on nature (nature footprint)
Example of an organisation using the framework to reduce negative impacts on nature and inequality: The Hospital plan
- Could they reduce their impact on nature by decreasing single use plastic audits?
- Could they restore nature and biodiversity by formulating a Biodiversity net gain plan that collaborates with the local nature recovery scheme?
- Could they reduce inequalities/ encourage nature connection by using their grounds as an anchor institution for the whole community? Allowing communities to enjoy the mental health benefits of being in nature.
Individual Actions
Those who would like to consider their individual impacts on nature (and have the capacity to do so) can also use the framework.
For example: when I enjoy a sport, such as surfing, what can I do to consider my impact on nature?
- Could I reduce the length of the car journey travelling to the beach by choosing to visit a closer beach
- Could I restore nature and biodiversity by volunteering in schemes to protect the shorebirds on the surf beach?
- Could I contribute to reducing inequalities by volunteering at a surf school to get local kids involved in the sport?
Global Actions
We have decided to recommend the global actions explored in the international Ocean Panel Blue Paper.
References: How can a healthy ocean improve human health and enhance wellbeing on a rapidly changing planet? LEAD COORDINATING AUTHORS | Lora E. Fleming and Philip J. Landrigan LEAD AUTHORS | William Gerwick, Johanna J. Heymans, Christina C. Hicks, Karyn Morrissey and Mathew P . White CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS | Lota Alcantara-Creencia, Karen A. Alexander, Oliver S. Ashford, Thomas Astell-Burt, Roberto G.S. Berlinck, Philippa J. Cohen, Richard Hixson, Mohammad Mahmudul Islam, Arihiro Iwasaki, Radisti A. Praptiwi, Hervé Raps, Jan Yves Remy, Georgina Sowman, Amy Swift, Eva Ternon, Torsten Thiele, Shakuntala H. Thilsted and Ella M. Whitman
Why have we chosen these global actions?
The global actions were created with both the ocean and human health in mind therefore they are the most specific and relevant to our work. Furthermore, the Ocean Panel Blue paper proposes actions which align with other well-known global actions (such as the SDGs THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development and the 10 ocean challenges proposed in the UN Decade of Ocean Health 10 Challenges – Ocean Decade) while being specific to human health and the healthcare sector.
Finally, the actions we proposed were created with international and interdisciplinary collaboration, which is crucial for designing actions applicable on a global level.