Studentsed

Welcome to the T4O Students Section.

Americans love the ocean, as evidenced by the Pew Oceans Commission (POC) 2003 report, “When we stand at the water’s edge, we stare longingly out to sea- for the boat to return, for the tides to shift, for the winds to arrive, for the fish to bite, for the sun to rise or set- beyond the horizon.” Yet the beauty we experience is often masked by the environmental degradation unfolding right beneath our very eyes.

The oceans are in peril. For decades, humanity has treated the ocean’s vast expanse as a supermarket and a sewer, pillaging its resources and causing unprecedented harm. Overfishing by factory trawlers and long-liners, operating with generous government subsidies, have stripped the seas of their abundance, and many scientists estimate that we've lost at least 90% of large predatory fish like sharks and swordfish. Populations of once abundant commercial species like bluefin tuna have crashed. Our appetite for fish has disrupted the aquatic food chain and degraded coral reefs and other marine ecosystems that sustain ocean life around the planet. Pollution and fertilizer runoff from agriculture have helped push one-third of the more than 700 reef-building corals close to extinction; 70% of all coral reefs could be gone by midcentury.

These frightening statistics, coupled with coastal development, acidification and rising temperatures have pushed the oceans to the brink of ecological collapse. Over the last half century, the global population has nearly doubled and the population of the United States has increased by 90%. This factor alone has put exceptional anthropogenic stress on our ocean, and it is with great sadness and surprise that young people learn what future lies ahead for their world. It is through the empowerment of youth that T4O will be successful, and may be the only way to engage and teach students that conservation begins in their very own backyards.

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP), stated in 2004, “We need a commitment from individuals to take responsibility for the impact of their choices on our oceans.” The pursuit of ocean literacy, which is the understanding of the ocean’s influence on people’s lives and of the impact of human activities on ocean ecosystems, is gaining popularity but has yet to be substantively effective as the health of the ocean continues to decline.

What can YOU do?

There are several options available for students seeking to join Teens4Oceans.  Teens4Oceans is looking for highly motivated, inspired individuals who are curious about marine organisms, ecosystems, and the scientific process and care about the ocean.  Students fitting this description can become involved by participating in T4O projects, conducting independent studies and submitting their research to be featured online, or organizing T4O chapters at a local high school or middle school.  A variety of support resources are available through Teens4Oceans; candidates for financial support should contact Trevor Mendelow.  Note that scholarships are awarded based upon merit of the proposed project, and necessity. 

If you are a student interested in becoming a member of Teens4Oceans, or if you have an idea for a T4O project, please contact us! As a growing organization, it is crucial that T4O maintain its student base, and that students continue to emerge as leaders of our educational endeavors. 

Starting May 19th, we will have a login feature at the top of our webpages that will give you acccess to our resources. We are excited to have you on our team; together we CAN make a difference!