Press Release
EARTHDAY.ORG & Ringo Starr Call for Global Action on World Ocean Day
June 8, 2025
Washington DC (June 8, 2025) – June 8 marks World Ocean Day, and the United Nations Ocean Conference begins in Nice, France on June 9 – making this the perfect time to champion our oceans. EARTHDAY.ORG invites everyone to take action to protect this precious ecosystem that covers over 70% of our planet’s surface and sustains all life on Earth.
Scientists estimate that 15-51 trillion plastic particles currently float on ocean surfaces worldwide, representing merely 1% of the 8-12 million metric tons of plastic trash dumped into our oceans annually. Most of which sinks beneath the surface where it kills marine life and damages reef systems. Reefs also face the threat of warming waters and ocean acidification which could wipe out 90% of all coral reefs by 2050.
Now Is The Time to Act
There’s never been a more urgent time to show support for the health of our oceans. Legendary musician Ringo Starr has designed an official 2025 Earth Day T-shirt to drive this point home – featuring the slogan – An Octopus’s Garden Needs Clean Water.
A percentage of each sale helps EARTHDAY.ORG continue our important work to fight plastic pollution and advocate for the octopus’s garden health.
“We’re honored to mark the occasion with Ringo Starr—an enduring voice for peace and the environment—by releasing this limited-edition shirt in support of ocean conservation. Made one by one from certified organic cotton, it reflects Earth Day’s commitment to sustainability every day of the year. Proceeds support ongoing efforts to protect our oceans—because an octopus’s garden, and all marine life, deserve clean water.” Aaron Fisher-Cohen, EARTHDAY.ORG, Shop Manager
That’s Not All
August 5, 2025, will see the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 5.2) meet in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss curbing the world’s plastic production and dealing with plastic pollution. We need to send a clear message that they must protect our oceans by reducing plastic production by 60% by 2040. To drive that message home we invite everyone to sign our Global Plastic Treaty Petition.
“All of us can play our part in protecting our oceans and the marine life that calls it home,” says Toms Cosgrove, Chief Creative and Content Officer, EARTHDAY.ORG. “Every action is important – be it rejecting single use plastics, putting your name to our plastic petition, writing to your representative or signing up – to join Earth Day. We have power in our collective, peaceful action.”
If you live near the ocean consider organizing your own beach clean-up – as part of our Great Global Cleanup – you can find guidance on how to do it here. Reject buying products that use single use plastic bottles, like soda and water, and stop using single use plastic bags and plastic straws.
Plastics shed microplastics and toxic additive chemicals that are not just bad for marine life but for
About EARTHDAY.ORG: Founded in 1970 by the organizers of the first Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG has grown into the world’s largest environmental movement, mobilizing over one billion people annually to protect the planet and its people. Our mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental community globally. This year Earth Day marks its 55th anniversary and has designated this year’s Earth Day theme as Our Power, Our Planet. Learn more atEARTHDAY.ORG.For media inquiries, interviews, comment – please feel free to contact:
Terran Fielder, [email protected], +1 661 444 4436