Vote for the Ocean on World Ocean Day

World Ocean Day is a global movement to protect, restore and celebrate the ocean, and it’s a key time as we come into a UK General Election.

Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, and voting is one of the simplest ways to participate in democracy. A chance to make your voice heard. MPs will be making decisions on issues that are important to you for the next few years, like the health of our ocean and waterways. By voting, you not only show support for a candidate who most represents your views in Parliament, you are also sending a message about which issues mean the most.

Voting does matter.

Blue spaces are vital to our health and wellbeing, but sewage and plastic pollution are destroying vital ecosystems and putting our health at risk. There have been seven years of delay to essential plastic reducing policies, such as the Deposit Return Scheme and Extended Producer Responsibility. Now with the General Election looming, we are concerned that these policies could be scrapped for good. Despite continued support, and evidence that an all-in DRS could reduce plastic found on our beaches, waterways and streets by 55%.

So, if you’re fed up about the state of our blue and green spaces, then stand up for the ocean with us on the 4^th July and let’s start a wave of change. Enough delays, it’s time to show all candidates we care about these policies being delivered, and we just want producers to pay and take responsibility for the packaging they produce.

Here’s 3 things you can do on World Ocean Day:

1. Get your FREE SAS Vote for the Ocean Poster
2. Attend a local SAS husting and have your chance to ask local candidates how they are going to protect the ocean.
3. Make sure you’re ready to Vote for the Ocean on the 4^th July.

Here’s how to get ready:

Step 1. Make sure you’re registered to vote by 18th June

🚩 If you need to apply for a postal or proxy vote, you’ll need to apply before the below deadlines.

Step 2. Make a note of key dates not to miss:

18th June – voter registration deadline

19th June, 5pm – deadline to apply for a vote by post

25th June, 5pm – deadline to apply for a proxy vote (someone to vote in person on your behalf)

26th June – deadline to apply for Voter Authority Certificate deadline – you may need this to vote if:

• you do not have accepted photo ID
• you no longer look like the photo on your ID
• the name on your photo ID is different to your name on the electoral register

4th July – don’t forget your ID, it’s election day!

This is such an amazing opportunity, and we’re excited about what people power can do. Why not share the link to this blog and get everyone you know to vote for the ocean too.