It’s important to remember that you are a guest when you visit the beach. We encourage you to use this acronym to remember proper beach etiquette:

• G – Gently touch with one, wet finger.
• U – Use your head when rolling rocks.
• E – Everything stays at the beach.
• S – Step lightly when walking.
• T – Take your belongings when leaving.

Here are 10 easy ways you can reduce your climate footprint:

1. Stop buying  water in plastic and buy a reusable water bottle. 
2. Incorporate walking or biking on short distanced trips. 
3. Turn off lights and unplug devices when not using them. 
4. Keep car tires properly inflated and get regular tune-ups. 
5. Eat more food that is grown or made locally and less meat. 
6. Use the cold water cycle for washing clothes and consider adding line-drying for summer laundry.  
7. Set thermostat to 72 when at home and between 62-68 when not at home.
8. Drive more efficiently and don’t idle engine. 
9. Keep stuff out of the landfill by buying used, recycling/repurposing, and donating to charity. 
10. Use alternative transportation (bus, train, carpool, or bike) to get to work at least once a week. 

There are simple choices you can make that support the health of our oceans. Here are a few tips:

• Ditch the straw
• Use ocean friendly sunscreen
• Support ocean friendly restaurants
• Participate in a beach clean-up event
• Become a water quality community scientist

One of the most powerful actions you can take to protect the ocean is to choose sustainable seafood. When you choose to buy sustainable seafood, you push suppliers to source more environmentally responsible products, driving significant improvements throughout the industry. Ultimately, your choices have an impact on the health of the ocean.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium produces a guide for consumers to make wise decisions when eating seafood. The guide lists best choices, good alternatives, and those to avoid. Download the Seafood Watch Card or stop by the Skansie Visitor & Interpretive Center to pick-up your free pocket guide.