Australian coastal seabeds, home of the worlds only two sea dragons are in danger of disappearing due to ocean temperature rises. Have you ever told a student, ‘trees are the lungs of the Earth?’ It’s a common misconception. In reality, our Ocean produces most of our oxygen.

Australian children are being asked to spearhead a program that raises awareness about the fragile marine ecosystems surrounding Australia’s Ocean through the life cycle of kelp.

Plastic Oceans Australasia will deliver an Australian first to schools through a national curriculum unit called “Forests of the Ocean” that will dovetail into the existing curriculum to help teach children the value of our marine ecosystems and how interlinked we are to ocean health.

The sea dragon will be used to engage students with the curriculum set pieces linking the life of the sea dragon to the health of the oceans, food systems, biodiversity, pollution and sustainability. There are only two sea dragons – (weedy and leafy ) found in the world, both in Australian waters!

The module will reinforce that the health of the ocean is dependent on our actions. By stopping pollutants such as plastic waste from entering our ocean (which draws C02 from the sea ) we can demonstrate how this will help rebalance the ocean. Plastic Oceans Australasia CEO Ricki Hersburgh said “This is a wonderful addition for students studying marine ecosystems and how they can assist to regenerate natural habitats which offset GHG emissions. The new resources sit alongside our existing POA programs that teach children about stopping plastic waste from entering our ocean “