Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22 April in 193 countries, is one of the world’s largest environmental awareness movements. Since 2020, Oceano Azul Foundation has joined this global mobilisation to highlight the ocean’s vital role in sustaining life on our planet.

Under the theme “The ocean is our earth”, this celebration has brought together hundreds of organisations, schools, municipalities, and citizens across Portugal to raise awareness of the ocean’s essential role in tackling climate change, producing oxygen, regulating Earth’s temperature, and supporting biodiversity.

Why “The ocean is our earth”?

More than a campaign, it is a collective call to action – a nationwide mobilisation lasting over a week, inviting NGOs, local associations, schools, municipalities, universities, companies, and citizens to organise or take part in activities that promote education, awareness, and action in protection of the ocean.

Each year, around Earth Day, the celebration takes the form of a decentralised programme that includes:

• Educational activities and ocean literacy sessions;
• Coastal, underwater, and river clean-ups;
• Surf lessons and other ocean sports;
• Workshops, exhibitions, and artistic showcases;
• Talks, seminars, and conferences;
• Games, quizzes, challenges, and community workshops;
• And much more!

Our role? We bring together all registered activities, offering a complete view of participation across the country and the impact of this shared movement.

Impact since 2020

Over five editions, this initiative has grown and established itself as one of the largest civic actions for ocean literacy in Portugal:

Clean-up actions 2023 Credits: @OceanoAzulFoundation_PedroPina

Clean-up actions 2023 © Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina

2024 Edition

Between 15 and 24 April, more than 70 organisations led over 100 activities from north to south of Portugal and across the islands, creating a true map of action for the ocean. Beach clean-ups, awareness campaigns, workshops for all ages, exhibitions, digital challenges, and open classes showcased the power of collaboration between institutions, civil society, and the education community.

The diversity and creativity of the activities reinforced the central message: protecting the ocean is protecting life on Earth.

A new chapter

The Earth Day celebration model is currently under review. Oceano Azul Foundation aims to launch a fully redesigned edition, deepening the connection between people and the ocean, and strengthening the significance of this mobilisation within the global environmental calendar.