About the Project
The Clean Oceans Mural is an exciting collaboration between artists, local schools, organizations and the city of Santa Cruz. Work on the conservation-themed mural began in May 2019.
Santa Cruz is known worldwide for its beautiful coastline and incredible access to the Monterey Bay’s National Marine Sanctuary—where diverse species of whales migrate annually, commercial fishermen harvest seafood within sustainable limits and extraordinary creatures dwell in the dark depths of the West Coast’s most expansive deep-sea canyon.
The mural is educational and pays homage to the Monterey Bay and its marine life. It also beautifies a public space and brings pride to to local school district.
Social & Environmental Impacts
Oceans and climate change are inextricably linked. And, while the ocean is the largest and most important carbon sink on the planet, the delicate balance of its complex ecosystems are at risk in our changing world.
We’re already seeing sea-level rise, human displacement, pollution, increasing water temperatures and acidification having impacts on marine life and societies located near coastlines. The food, carbon sequestration, oxygen production and the other ecosystem services we get from the ocean are at risk. The Clean Oceans Mural puts conservation at the forefront. It encourages the reduction of single-use plastics that increase the burden on our already stressed out oceans. It highlights the animals at risk, serves as a basis for educational programs at the school and encourages the public to consider marine protection.
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