Kiss a fish, hug a dolphin, clean a beach, say no to plastic, or check out an event in your local area.  And if you’re already booked, you can take a few moments to reflect on what our oceans mean to you.  Maybe they are the source of your livelihood as they are to me.  Or perhaps your source of inspiration, relaxation, exhilaration – they are all of those for me as well.

What small steps can you take in your everyday life to give back to the ocean, to become its caretaker?  It could be as simple as not using plastic bags, buying sustainable fish, or changing to energy efficient light bulbs.

One of the goal’s of World Oceans Day is to get individuals to make a personal pledge to make a difference.  Over a year ago, I formed the Going Green Committee for CYBA, Charter Yacht Brokers International, an association of charter yacht brokers that represents about 2,000 charter yachts sailing in our worldwide oceans.   Last year, we began a campaign to reduce plastic water bottle waste on yachts – this is especially critical in our exotic island locations that have no recycling.  So in honor of World Oceans Day, I pledge to continue and expand my efforts in 2012.

If you are a charter yacht guest, you can join in by agreeing to drink the yacht’s “tap water” which is made and purified onboard.

And if you have kids, here’s some great ideas for having them think green at an early age.