Making the most of our oceans
For more than a decade, leading skincare brand La Mer has been committed to supporting the protection of ocean habitats through charitable donations, awareness-raising initiatives and local marine beautification projects.
Every year, La Mer team members around the world dive in and give their time to marine conservation efforts, ranging from beach cleanups to artificial coral planting, helping to restore surrounding areas for generations to come.
This year was no exception and as is its custom La Mer Thailand marked World Oceans Day on June 8 by leading a team of 50 employees, conservationists, and Love Wildlife Foundation, as well as blue-hearted artist Alex Rendell, an actor who co-founded EEC Thailand, to join La Mer’s Blue Heart, a beach cleanup activity on the beaches of Koh Sak.
The activity started with sorting garbage using quadrants. Garbage was collected, sorted, and analysed to find out where it came from. Such information could lead to measures that can help reduce the amount of ocean waste and its effect on the environment. A total of 500 kg of waste was picked up during the beach cleanup activity. Sun Tan Team diving group, led by Disaya Koragotchamas, also collected 30 kg of ocean waste.
Environmentalists put out that ocean waste in Thailand is increasing, and the most worrying is the amount of plastic waste, which takes a long time to biodegrade. Worse, it often breaks down into microplastic particles, which have an effect on plankton and the marine ecosystem and will eventually be ingested by us as we eat the fish affected by this vicious cycle.
“Taking care of the ocean is a knowledge that needs to be passed on to the public. At the activity today, I’m sure we learned valuable lessons, such as types of garbage, there it comes from, and how it affects the environment and the community. We also learned that the garbage comes from humans, who probably never think twice before tossing something into the water. I want everyone to stop and think, because in the end the effects come back to us,” Rendell said.
“I’ve always been close to the sea ever since I was a kid. My parents always took me to the beach, and I’ve been diving and exploring the ocean,” added diver Naiyapak.
“It’s something that brings so much joy to me – it recharges my energy. The ocean waste crisis is getting more and more worrying, and when I dive, I can see garbage that ruins the beauty of the ocean. I want everyone to see the importance of the ocean, and start taking care of it by not polluting it, and spreading the word.”
And in other initiative to mark World Oceans Day, La Mer Thailand launched an online campaign, inviting everyone to share their stories about the sea under the topic “How does the ocean inspire you?” on Instagram and Facebook. Tag a friend and use hashtags #LaMerBlueHeart #MyOceanStory @LaMerThailandOfficial.
Prizes include air tickets from Bangkok Airways to seaside destinations such as Maldives, Phuket, and Krabi, accommodation at Ocean and Pool Villas at Silavadee Pool Spa Resort Koh Samui, and Small Miracle Kits from La Mer, worth more than Bt200,000 in total. The campaign continues through Friday.
La Mer has also established La Mer Blue Heart Oceans Fund to support ocean conservation, partnering with “Project Zero”, which is made up of a new generation of campaigners, celebrities, business leaders and ocean experts all working together to achieve a single objective: restore and protect the ocean. The goal is to put 30 percent of the ocean under protection by 2030, restore fisheries, rebuild coral reefs and mangroves, and clean up the ocean. Project Zero and La Mer have joined for the “La Mer Wave Walk” to raise awareness and funding for ocean conservation projects around the world through an unprecedented philanthropic public art trail. A journey that celebrates the ocean, art and New York City, Project Zero brought together 50 of the world’s most influential artists and culture-makers, including Chuck Close, Julian Schnabel, Cara Delevingne, Bruce Weber, Sienna Miller and Vivienne Westwood. The La Mer Wave Walk will raise funding to help support Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Ordinary folk can support the effort by purchasing the Collector’s Creme Limited-Edition Blue Heart Creme de la Mer. Priced at Bt19,200 for a 100ml jar, it serves as a canvas for the brand’s annual artistic homage to the ocean and its endless inspiration.
