The Importance of our seas
Our oceans are not only biodiversity hotspots far removed from our daily lives, but are deeply connected to livelihoods, cultures, and heritage. This connection is under threat. Climate change, overfishing and other pressures continue to compromise ocean health, and inadvertently, ours. The good news? The tide can still turn, but only if we act boldly with our youth having a critical role to play.
Youth in Conservation
Young people bring fresh energy, new ideas, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. They are uniquely positioned to inspire change – in classrooms, communities, or households – often leading the way to innovation, activism, and advocacy.
Rahima exemplifies this spirit. A Marine Biology Honours student at the University of Cape Town and a dedicated WWF-SASSI volunteer, whose journey into ocean conservation was not straightforward.
“I didn’t always have a true appreciation of the ocean,” Rahima reflects. Although born and raised in Cape Town, Rahima felt disconnected from the sea. Her ancestors were once fishers and farmers, but that relationship with nature was disrupted during apartheid. “We grew up far removed from our legacy,” she says. “Conservation and living as one with nature felt like something out of reach.”
Rahima rarely saw herself reflected in ocean conservation, which made the field feel unfamiliar and even intimidating. Still, her curiosity and care for the environment persisted. Joining her school’s Earth and Environmental club connected her with like-minded peers and purpose. That spark deepened at university, where she met students united by a shared love and passion for the ocean.
“I’ve come to realise that you don’t need to fit into a certain image, grow up by the sea, or have prior exposure to conservation to care. As young people, we are the future custodians and it is up to us to protect it.”
Rahima, WWF-SASSI Volunteer
This World Oceans Month
Let’s celebrate the young ocean warriors rising to protect our blue planet. Whether you’re studying marine biology, like Rahima, reducing your food waste and loss, choosing sustainably-sourced seafood with the SASSI app or using your voice to advocate for change – your contribution matters. All you need is the heart to care, and the courage to act!
Rahima Baboo (WWF-SASSI Volunteer) & Kezia Madell (WWF-SASSI Project Officer)