Ocean Hero of the month - Johanne Holm Jacobsen

A Quick introduction of Johanne

My name is Johanne Jacobsen and I am a 19 year old climate activist from Denmark. I work as a speaker on sustainability on social media, but currently I’m on a plastic expedition sailing in Indonesia.

Right now I am finishing a three month expedition in Indonesia sailing with a Danish organisation (Ekspedition Plastik) that collects samples to measure the amount of microplastic in the ocean. Other than that, my job is my social media accounts, where I spread the word about our climate and give inspiration on how to live more sustainable. As I am traveling at the moment and planing on doing so for a long time, I am currently focusing on sharing with others, how to travel more sustainable and without flying.

What role does the ocean play in your life?

The ocean has always been very important to me, as I grew up in a city by the sea and being away from the ocean for longer periods of time has just become impossible for me by now. In the recent years I have become aware of the big treats that the ocean is facing and protecting it has become very important to me.

To say that the ocean plays a big role in my everyday life almost seems like an understatement. Last year I bought a small boat that I lived on in the summertime and because of that the ocean became an even bigger part of my every day life than it was. And as I have spent the last couple of months living on a boat in Indonesia, returning to land after 3 months will take some time getting used to. I plan to spend a lot of my future on the ocean!

What do you do to take care of the ocean?

As research shows that a lot of the plastic in the ocean comes from the fishing industry. I don't support that industry by eating fish. I also try to avoid plastic in my everyday life, even though it can be very hard - especially here in Indonesia where almost everything is wrapped in plastic. Spreading awareness on plastic pollution is also very important to me and I am actually working on a documentary about our plastic expedition at the moment.

What do you think is the biggest challenge we have to solve in order to save the ocean?

The ocean is facing many challenges - from pollution that leads to rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and so on. Picking one is hard. But besides changing our overall lifestyle drastically to save the climate, we have to stop using plastic to make products that is not meant to last forever

What does tavaha mean to you?

I am completely in love with 'Tavaha' and what it stands for. I think that we all have a responsibility to take care of the ocean as it plays such a vital part in the overall health of the planet that we all live on. I kind of want to name a boat Tavaha one day and sail around collecting plastic.

What are your three #tavahatips to take care of the ocean?

- Avoid eating fish and other animal products.

- Reduce your overall climate footprint: you can take a test on rensti.dk

- Avoid plastic in your everyday life

Last, but not least… Who are your everyday heroes? What would you like to thank the ocean for?

I get inspired everyday by seeing people and organisations all over the world fighting for the climate.
I would like to thank the ocean for giving me the peace and quiet that land could never give me haha, for letting me sail safely and for connecting me to the rest of this amazing planet.

…feeling inspired? You can follow Johanne on instagram or check out our instagram for more tips and inspiration for taking care of our oceans.