Rad Reads: "50 Ways to Save the Ocean"

I set a goal this year to read 2 books a month, 24 books this year. With that goal, I decided why not start a little series here on the blog where I can share some of the rad books I read over the course of this year. So, welcome to Rad Reads with Mads! 

One of the books I read in January is 50 Ways to Save the Ocean by David Helvarg. I found that there were many things in the book that are fairly common knowledge like using less plastic, conserving water, and being a responsible diver (if that's something your into.) On top of the things we already know, this book does a great job sharing things that you may not think of as directly impacting the oceans or really any waterways (I live on the great lakes, so if you ask me they deserve just as much love and protection), things like properly landscaping your home so that it helps to filter run off rain water and making choices to eat organic foods. Many of the ways to save the ocean can be applicable to your life even if you aren't living on the coast, because at the end of the day most water makes its way back to the sea. 

My favorite part of this book? It doesn't take a radical, all or nothing conservation approach. Instead, it asks that you look at which of the practices you already implement in your life and then see if maybe there is another one or two you can add in.

You absolutely love seafood and could never give it up?

That's cool. The book doesn't say you should. Instead, it talks about educating yourself and consuming sustainable seafood.

Love to surf?

Amazing, grab a few friends and bring them along, because helping others experience the ocean is one of the best conservation tools. People are more likely to want to protect something that they love or have a connection with. Conservation can seem daunting, but this book simply puts 50 things that you can do to protect waterways, while writing in simple laments terms. 

One of the coolest parts of this book is that after the 50 ways listed there is about 40 pages of other resources and organizations that are doing things to help our oceans. So if you feel a little inspired to volunteer some time or make a donation, places where you can do so are right at your finger tips. 

Overall, I would consider this book to be a beginners guide to ocean conservation. Maybe on of your goals this year was to be a little nicer to Mama Earth and maybe you feel a little overwhelmed as to how to start, this book is a good starting point.