PGC 2025

PROJECT GREEN CHALLENGE DAY 8
Challenge Doodle

Oceans

WHY DO OCEANS MATTER FOR LIFE ON EARTH?

In 1972, the first full photo of Earth — the “Blue Marble” — offered us a stunning view of our shared home: a living planet with oceans shimmering across most of its surface.

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The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.

— Jacques Cousteau | explorer, filmmaker, scientist, and researcher
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Covering nearly 70% of Earth, the oceans plunge 36,000 feet into the Mariana Trench and sustain life from tiny phytoplankton, which produce more than half of Earth’s oxygen, to great whales that cross entire basins. Coral reefs, known as the rainforests of the sea, teem with biodiversity and protect our shores. Oceans regulate climate and have absorbed almost 90% of the excess heat from global warming. They are, quite literally, Earth’s support system.

Yet even with their vastness and power, oceans are fragile. They are stressed by pollution, overfishing, and climate change. More than 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the sea each year — a number that could triple by 2040. Warming waters fuel stronger storms, bleach coral reefs, and shift marine habitats. Acidifying seas weaken the shells of marine creatures. Rising seas, up to 6–8 inches in the last century, threaten ecosystems, economies, and whole communities.

Turning the tide is possible and already underway. Change is possible. Restoring mangroves pulls “blue carbon” from the air, shields coasts from storms, and creates nurseries for fish. The Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, brings together 33 nations to care for shared waters. Organizations like 5 Gyres fight plastic pollution through science and education, while Only One mobilizes people to demand healthy oceans. Countries are creating marine protected areas, and communities are reimagining fishing, farming, and consumption to put ocean health first.

The ocean’s fate is our fate. It shapes climate, feeds billions, supports economies, and holds most of Earth’s biodiversity — much of which is still undiscovered. A healthy ocean strengthens everything we depend on. By acting boldly now, we can not only prevent loss but build a thriving future for the ocean and all life it sustains.

PARTNERS

Guayaki
Guayaki

RESOURCES

CHALLENGE

Green

20 POINTS

THINK

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to ocean health. It harms wildlife, damages ecosystems, and disrupts food chains.


CHALLENGE

  • Read this article by Only One on the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution.
  • Watch one video from 5 Gyres Trash Academy on Plastic Pollution.
  • In 300 words or less, write a reflection that includes:
    • Two facts that stood out to you
    • Two solutions to fight plastic pollution
    • Two things YOU can do personally to help address the issue
    • Two actions businesses should take to reduce plastic waste
  • Post your reflection on Instagram with a powerful image. In your caption, highlight one thing you learned that you know will grab people’s attention.
  • Tag @turninggreenorg, @5gyres, and @onlyone in both your post and caption, and don’t forget, #PGC2025.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

  1. Create a PDF: Combine your responses into a single PDF.
  2. Include: Your name (or team name), username, and school on the PDF.
  3. File Naming: firstname_lastname_day8_green_2025.pdf or teamname_day8_green_2025
  4. Example: kasie_jones_day8_green_2025.pdf or GreenTeam_day8_green_2025.pdf
  5. Avoid Symbols: (including #) or spaces in the file name.
  6. File Size: Must be under 5 MB.
  7. Submit: Upload your PDF. If you do not see the upload button, you need to login. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
  8. Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry. 
  9. Check Score: Go to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar; your score appears at the top of the page.
  10. Questions: Email info@turninggreen.org.
  11. Social Media: Tag @TurningGreenOrg on Instagram and use #PGC2025.
The deadline for entering this challenge has passed.

Greener

40 POINTS

THINK

Mangrove forests are one of the planet’s most powerful climate solutions. Their roots and soils store huge amounts of “blue carbon,” helping slow global warming. They also act as natural shields, protecting coastlines from storms, floods, and erosion.

Beyond climate protection, mangroves are bursting with life. They serve as nurseries for fish, shellfish, and birds, and they provide food and jobs for millions of people around the world.


CHALLENGE

  • Tune in to the podcast Is Water Alive? with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson in conversation with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant.
  • Reflect on Dr. Johnson’s choice to use the word “possibility” instead of “hope” when talking about climate solutions. Take 10 minutes to journal, doodle, or reflect in your own creative way.
  • Then respond to her question, “What would it look like if we really lived as if we loved the future and all the possibilities it holds?” Create a haiku, collage, or illustration with simple call-to-action phrases.
  • Share your creation on Instagram with a caption that communicates your vision for the possibilities ahead in the face of climate change.
  • Tag @turninggreenorg, @5gyres, and @onlyone in both the image and caption, and use #PGC2025.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

    1. Create a PDF: Combine your responses into a single PDF.
    2. Include: Your name (or team name), username, and school on the PDF.
    3. File Naming: firstname_lastname_day8_greener_2025.pdf or teamname_day8_greener_2025
    4. Example: kasie_jones_day8_greener_2025.pdf or GreenTeam_day8_greener_2025.pdf
    5. Avoid Symbols: (including #) or spaces in the file name.
    6. File Size: Must be under 5 MB.
    7. Submit: Upload your PDF. If you do not see the upload button, you need to login. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
    8. Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry. 
    9. Check Score: Go to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar; your score appears at the top of the page.
    10. Questions: Email info@turninggreen.org.
    11. Social Media: Tag @TurningGreenOrg on Instagram and use #PGC2025.
The deadline for entering this challenge has passed.

Greenest

60 POINTS

THINK

Marine scientists are on the frontlines of protecting ocean health. Around the world, people are restoring coral reefs, safeguarding mangrove forests, and protecting habitats essential to life in the sea.


CHALLENGE

  • Watch today’s video on ocean acidification, corals, and climate. Note your most powerful takeaways.
  • Find one other resource (article, infographic, or video) about how climate change affects oceans and marine life.
  • Write an opinion piece (300 words or less) as a young leader calling the world to action. Your piece should:
    • Share what you learned and why it matters.
    • Be heartfelt and persuasive — avoid technical language.
    • Speak directly to communities and leaders about what’s at stake.
    • Include a clear call to action, like Protect Our Reefs or Save the Mangroves, and suggest tangible steps everyone can take.
    • Pair your piece with visuals — photos, drawings, or graphics — that amplify your message.
    • Post your work on Instagram with a caption that includes a fact, your reflection, and your call to action
    • Bonus opportunity: If you submit your piece to a school newspaper, blog, or media outlet, you can earn 50 extra points! Please provide a screenshot of your submission.
  • Tag @turninggreenorg, @5gyres, and @onlyone in both your image and caption, and use #PGC2025.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

    1. Create a PDF: Combine your responses into a single PDF including any links.
    2. Include: Your name (or team name), username, and school on the PDF.
    3. File Naming: firstname_lastname_day8_greenest_2025.pdf or teamname_day8_greenest_2025
    4. Example: kasie_jones_day8_greenest_2025.pdf or GreenTeam_day8_greenest_2025.pdf
    5. Avoid Symbols: (including #) or spaces in the file name.
    6. File Size: Must be under 5 MB.
    7. Submit: Upload your PDF. If you do not see the upload button, you need to login. A green confirmation message will appear if your submission is successful. If you don’t see this, please try again.
    8. Points: If your total points don’t update, your submission may not have uploaded correctly—please retry. 
    9. Check Score: Go to Edit Profile on the bottom navigation bar; your score appears at the top of the page.
    10. Questions: Email info@turninggreen.org.
    11. Social Media: Tag @TurningGreenOrg on Instagram and use #PGC2025.
The deadline for entering this challenge has passed.

PRIZES

Up to 10 Greener and 10 Greenest outstanding submissions will be selected as winners.

Each Greener Winner will receive:

  • An organic cotton hat from Conscious Kitchen, bringing fresh, local, organic, seasonal, nutritious breakfasts and lunches to over one hundred school districts and hundreds of thousands of children in California.
  • Klean Kanteen TK Wide 12oz Insulated Water Bottle from Klean Kanteen, a Climate Neutral, Certified B Corp committed to sustainability and to making high-quality, durable, reusable stainless steel insulated water bottles, mugs, cups, tumblers, food containers and steel straws.
  • Smoked Mussels, and an Insulated Food Container from our partner, Patagonia Provisions, a Certified B Corp and member of 1% for the Planet which makes organic food that tastes good, and is made using regenerative methods that are friendly to our planet.

Each Greenest Winner will receive:

  • An organic cotton Cloud Loom towel from Coyuchi. Connecting people to the raw beauty and transformative power of nature since 1991, Coyuchi elevated organic home goods to pioneer conscious luxury without compromise.
  • A Clean Up Kit from Parks Project – Leave It Better Than You Found It.
  • Stream 2 Sea Coral Care SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen. Certified safe for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and coral larvae, and has passed the stringent HEL Labs Protect Land + Sea certification.
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