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\n\u2026keeping events flowing \u2013 without the plastic tide.<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1764858887211{margin-top: 3vmax !important;margin-bottom: 1vmax !important;}”]Blue Wonder or Floating Dump?
\nThis United Nations sustainability goal aims to preserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Our oceans cover more than two-thirds of the planet, making them the largest ecosystem on Earth. They regulate the climate, produce oxygen, store around a quarter of global CO\u2082 emissions, and provide a habitat for millions of species. Yet this vital ecosystem is under severe threat \u2014 from overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of climate change<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1591794311845{margin-top: 3vmax !important;margin-bottom: 3vmax !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”9911″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1764858699232{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: contain !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text el_class=”w-mid”]Even when events don\u2019t take place directly in the water, they can still have a direct or indirect impact on oceans and waterways \u2014 through waste, plastic packaging, improperly disposed materials, or catering that includes fish products. This is even more true for events held on the water, such as raft-building activities, rafting tours, boat trips, or events on cruise ships, where waste can easily end up in rivers and oceans. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest challenges: around 10 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year. This waste threatens not only seabirds, coral reefs, marine mammals, and fish, but ultimately also affects the human food chain<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_column_text]If fish is served, it should come from sustainable fisheries \u2014 for example, from responsibly managed stocks in the North or Baltic Sea and certified with the MSC or Naturland Wild Fish label. Even better are alternatives, as many fish populations are overfished, caught too young, or disrupted in their reproduction. Recommended options include species currently considered well-stocked, such as herring, carp, trout, or mussels from sustainable aquaculture. Plant-based fish alternatives can also help reduce pressure on marine ecosystems.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_single_image image=”9910″ img_size=”large” alignment=”right”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_single_image image=”9908″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text el_class=”w-mid”]Sustainable event formats can also actively contribute to protecting the oceans. Examples include team events that clean lakes, riverbanks, or beaches; workshops on environmentally friendly material use; upcycling stations at summer festivals; or joint activities such as building trash traps for local waterways. These concepts combine team spirit with environmental awareness and make the positive impact directly tangible. Communication efforts can also help raise awareness of water and ocean protection<\/a> \u2014 through donation campaigns, partnerships with marine conservation organizations, or creative visuals that highlight the issue, even at trade fairs or corporate events.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1594823997921{margin-top: 3vmax !important;margin-bottom: 3vmax !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”10\/12″][vc_column_text el_class=”yellow-bar blue-square”]Events have the potential to serve as powerful role models. They can demonstrate how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into every stage of planning \u2014 from selecting regional products to choosing plastic-free materials and offering responsible catering. After all, without healthy oceans, there is no stable climate and no life as we know it. Protecting our seas concerns all of us, whether an event takes place by the water or in the heart of the city.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″]