Faith Groups Win Protection for 30% of World's Oceans

When people of different faiths decide to work together, they can literally save oceans.

Faiths for Oceans, a coalition bringing together Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Sikhs, just celebrated a landmark achievement on World Oceans Day. Their years of advocacy helped secure the High Seas Treaty, which became international law in January 2026 and now protects deep ocean areas that don't belong to any country.

The Anglican Communion partnered with other faith groups to make this happen. Together, they gathered at the 2025 United Nations Conference to push for ratification of the treaty, proving that shared values can overcome religious differences when our planet's health is at stake.

Reverend Dr. Rachel Mash, an Anglican environmental leader from Southern Africa, explains why this matters through a biblical lens. She points to Genesis 1:28, where God calls humanity to have dominion over the fish of the sea, and challenges the interpretation that's been used to justify destructive practices.

"We have done a really good job at being multiple as humans, but we are also called to allow other living creatures to multiply," Mash says in a new video released for World Oceans Day. She highlights how industrial overfishing and deep-sea trawling destroy entire ocean ecosystems, contradicting humanity's responsibility as stewards.

The oceans cover 70% of our planet and produce at least half of Earth's oxygen. They're home to most of Earth's biodiversity, making them essential to all life, not just marine creatures.

The Ripple Effect

The coalition isn't stopping with the treaty victory. They're now pushing for the 30x30 target, an ambitious goal to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.

To help people connect emotionally with ocean conservation, Faiths for Oceans released the Coral Compass, a creative resource that lets eight coral reefs "testify" about their conditions. Written as if the reefs themselves were speaking, these testimonies translate complex science into personal stories that make climate change feel real and urgent.

The group also published educational materials explaining why protecting oceans aligns with spiritual values across many traditions. These resources help faith communities understand their role in conservation and provide tools for taking action locally.

What started as Faiths for UNOC3, focused on a single conference, has now become a permanent platform. Religious leaders from around the world continue meeting, advocating, and mobilizing their communities to protect our shared waters.

When billions of people unite around protecting Earth's lungs, the whole planet breathes easier.