World Oceans Day isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s an opportunity to move people from “I know” to “I care enough to act”. But that doesn’t happen with stats alone. It starts with creative that’s impossible to ignore.
The power of visual storytelling
Sometimes, we need to see things to believe them. David Attenborough’s new film, Ocean, brings a global problem to the surface in a way that’s impossible to ignore. The teaser features world-first footage of a bottom trawler bulldozing the ocean floor
“It smashes its way across the seabed, destroying nearly everything in its path. Often on the hunt for just a single species. It’s hard to imagine a more wasteful way to catch fish.”
One viral clip and millions are not just aware – they’re outraged and ready to act. They’re sharing solutions, signing petitions, and demanding change. This is creative for impact in action – and the timing couldn’t be better.
The film launches globally on Disney for World Ocean Day 2025 – a moment when public attention is high, momentum is strong, and there’s a real opportunity to close the gap between awareness and impact. This year’s theme is sustainable fishing and catalysing action for the ocean and climate.
Check out the trailer for Ocean below:
Why World Ocean Day matters
World Ocean Day brings together thousands of organisations, businesses, and individuals to drive action for the ocean. Over 70% of the planet is covered by oceans, yet less than 3% is considered “highly” protected.
The stakes are high, and the opportunity for brands and organisations to drive change has never been greater – or more urgent.
“My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. This could be the moment of change. Nearly every country on Earth has just agreed, on paper, to achieve this bare minimum and protect a third of the ocean. Together, we now face the challenge of making it happen.”
- David Attenborough
How brands can turn awareness into action
Brands have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to bridge the gap between knowing and doing. Here’s how to move from awareness to impact:
- Show, don’t just tell: Use imagery and footage that reveal hidden truths to make issues impossible to ignore.
- Keep it clear: Keep language clear and urgent. Avoid jargon and make the stakes personal.
- Lead with emotion: Start with the emotional and visual impact to connect people to the urgency of the issue.
- Make it actionable: Equip your network with tools, narratives, and resources that move people from passive concern to active advocacy.
- Ground it in evidence: Back up claims with data and real-world examples to build credibility.
- Lower the barriers: Make it easy for all audiences to get involved, whether through events, pledges, or sharing content.
- Make it local: Show how global issues affect your reader’s community, their food, their jobs, their future.
- Time it right: Plan your campaign around key awareness days, like World Ocean Day, to tap into heightened public attention and collective momentum. Start building anticipation before the day, engage your audience with strong messaging during, and keep the conversation going after for lasting impact.
Creative in action
At Enviral, we recently worked with the Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition to bring their organisation to life under one bold and unified brand identity. This will have a huge impact on their ability to bring together and amplify the voices of fishing communities and drive urgent policy change.
Here’s what we did:
- Brand audit: We clarified the coalition’s purpose, mission, and values, ensuring every message aligned with their vision.
- Messaging framework: We built clear content pillars and urgent calls to action so every communication had a clear purpose.
- Visual identity: We designed bold, recognisable visuals to unify their presence and stand out in a crowded space.
- Strategic launch: We helped them launch their rebrand at the UN Ocean Conference with a manifesto animation and pitch deck to rally stakeholders and decision-makers.
We’ll share the full case study in line with the official brand launch soon for now below is a sneak peek of the new site, which can also be viewed here.
Want to take action against bottom trawling?
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Support a campaign to ban bottom trawling: Add your voice to campaigns calling for an end to destructive fishing practices. Every signature helps.
- Ask where fish comes from: Start a conversation at the fish counter or restaurant. Knowing the source of your seafood puts pressure on suppliers to be transparent.
- Avoid bottom-trawled seafood: Choose seafood caught using sustainable methods and skip products linked to bottom trawling. Small swaps make a big difference.
- Look for credible certification: Check for trusted labels like Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) when you shop. Certified seafood supports responsible fisheries and healthier oceans.
The incredible communications team behind David Attenborough’s new film, Ocean, has put together a handy communications toolkit deck. Head to this link to find a breakdown of how you can help amplify David Attenborough’s message to audiences across the world.
Make your message matter
At Enviral, we’re on a mission to stop global yawning. In a world facing urgent environmental and social challenges, how we communicate has never mattered more. If your brand is looking to deliver bold, engaging, and effective sustainability communications, get in touch. We’d love to help you make your message matter.