Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

Four ways The Ocean Race is helping our blue planet in 2021

by The Ocean Race 21 Jan 2021 04:37 PST
27 February, 2015. First sighting of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing approaching Auckland in New Zealand © Ainhoa Sanchez / Volvo AB

The Ocean Race has seen firsthand the devastating impact of pollution, plastic, climate change and industrial overfishing on the ocean. At the same time, we have a greater understanding of how important our seas are, not just to the sport we love, but in regulating the climate and providing us with food, jobs and the air we breathe.

In 2021 there needs to be urgent action to help the ocean, including ambitious work to fight climate change. Here are four ways that The Ocean Race is taking action this year:

1. Gathering data about the state of the ocean

Some of the teams taking part in The Ocean Race Europe this summer will collect valuable information along the route about the levels of microplastic pollution in the water and data, including carbon dioxide, salinity and water temperature, which is valuable for scientists examining the effect of climate change on the ocean. The data gathered will be available to scientific bodies around the world, including the Surface Ocean Carbon Dioxide Atlas, which informs the Global Carbon Budget. It is vital that governments and organisations understand what is happening in our seas so that they can help to protect and restore them.

2. Working with sailing teams to help the seas

We are working with the teams taking part in The Ocean Race Europe to minimise every aspect of their environmental impact. Teams will be encouraged to reduce their plastic and greenhouse gas footprints by minimising single-use plastic and using renewable energy. Sailors also have an opportunity to inspire fans and followers to make positive choices for the environment by showing how they are helping the ocean.

3. Holding global summits to drive action for the ocean

The Ocean Race will host two high-level Summits during 2021 that will bring together global players from government, science, industry, NGOs, media and sport, along with passionate ocean advocates, to drive solutions and commitments to tackling the issues facing the ocean.

The Ocean Race Summits will introduce innovative solutions to climate change, improving the way the ocean is governed and the need for greater protection of the marine world.

4. Helping children understand the threats to the ocean

The Ocean Race's Champions for the Sea programme has helped over 160,000 children in more than 54 countries understand one of the main threats to the ocean, plastic pollution, and what can be done to combat it. Currently available in English, Spanish and French, by the end of March 2021 the programme will be available in six more languages (Portuguese, Mandarin, Italian, Dutch, Danish and German) to help inspire a new generation of ocean advocates. Champions for the Sea can be used by schools and in the community. It is also a fun and engaging resource for parents - particularly those who have children at home because of COVID restrictions.

Anne-Cécile Turner, Sustainability Director for The Ocean Race said: "The ocean is a climate hero, absorbing heat and locking away carbon, but it is reaching a tipping point. 2020 saw record temperatures in the ocean and this is having devastating consequences for marine life and for us.

"We want to leave a positive legacy for future generations, by doing all we can to help the ocean and using our global platform to inspire all those that we can reach to take action. The race to save the ocean is our greatest race to date."

The Ocean Race collaborates with Premier Partner 11th Hour Racing on all aspects of the Racing with Purpose sustainability programme.

Find out more here.

Related Articles

The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Day 7
Meilhat's Biotherm leads the way on the Road to Boka Bay Paul Meilhat's Biotherm (FRA), the overall leader of The Ocean Race Europe, has now taken the lead on the sixth day of the race's fifth leg from Genova, Italy to Boka Bay in Montenegro. Posted on 13 Sep
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Day 6
Seven miles separate the leading pack on the approach to the eastern waypoint Light winds yesterday afternoon to the south of the Italian island of Sicily has re-shuffled the leading pack in The Ocean Race Europe 2025 and given Swiss entry Team Holcim - PRB the opportunity to stage a spectacular comeback from a distant fifth place. Posted on 12 Sep
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Day 5
No time to rest for the frontrunners as the leading pack faces tricky Mediterranean conditions The top four are set to compress as Team Holcim - PRB in fifth looks for comeback opportunity Posted on 11 Sep
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Day 4
Fast speeds and high stakes in thundery conditions as the fleet approaches Sicily After two days of predominantly light wind sailing and slow progress for the fleet, the top four teams - Paprec Arkéa (FRA), Biotherm (FRA), Allagrande Mapei (ITA), and Team Malizia (GER) - were the first to experience a low pressure weather system. Posted on 10 Sep
TORE: Leg 5 Day 3: Tight at mid-point
The four lead boats are covered by a small margin. They are expected to round at 1900hrs At the halfway point of Leg 5 of The Ocean Race Europe, the four lead boats are covered by a small margin. Provided the light breeze holds, they are expected to round at 1900hrs.. Posted on 10 Sep
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Day 3
Paprec Arkéa leads as new breeze sends IMOCA fleet speeding south Yoann Richomme's Paprec Arkéa team took two points for leading through the Leg 5 Scoring Gate ahead of Allagrande Mapei Racing. Posted on 9 Sep
Adventure Sport is moving much closer to audience
OnboardLive opens up new storytelling avenues for The Ocean Race A new innovative technology solution, OnboardLive©, is making it possible to experience adventure sports, including offshore sailing, live, and in high-definition broadcast quality, even from the most remote corners of the world. Posted on 9 Sep
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Day 2
The fleet makes slow progress under a Blood Moon eclipse Painfully light winds along the Italian and French coasts overnight have meant slow sailing for the crews on the way from Genova to Boka Bay. Posted on 8 Sep
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Start
Close action but a slow start from Genova The seven international teams competing in The Ocean Race Europe have set off from Genova on the 5th and final leg - a complicated 1,600-nautical mile passage through the Mediterranean and into the Adriatic Sea on the way to Boka Bay, Montenegro. Posted on 7 Sep
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Preview
Why the final race to Montenegro promises to be spectacular This Sunday, the seven crews in The Ocean Race Europe will line up for the ultimate challenge: a 2,000-mile showdown from Genoa, Italy to Boka Bay, Montenegro. Posted on 6 Sep
Armstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - BOTTOMRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTER