Core Values
We face the truth without flinching.
We don’t sugarcoat the science or ignore the threats—but we choose to lift up the stories of resilience, progress, and potential that spark action, not despair.
We center storytelling to make change irresistible.
Facts matter, but stories move people. We amplify the voices, experiences, and narratives that connect hearts to the ocean—and to one another.
We build from the bottom up.
Local action matters. Progress doesn’t have to start on Capitol Hill—it starts in our backyards, shorelines, breweries, and communities.
We believe in the power of gathering.
Community is an antidote to isolation. By coming together—in person and in spirit—we share strength, inspiration, and the emotional fuel to keep going.
We practice resilient optimism.
Our hope isn’t naïve—it’s defiant. It’s the choice to believe that what we do matters, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
We embrace creativity as a force for change.
From memes to music, weird analogies to witty bar toasts—we believe joy, humor, and imagination are not distractions, but essential tools in reshaping the future.
We protect our mental health as fiercely as we protect the ocean.
Burnout helps no one. We embrace rest, joy, humor, and reflection as essential tools in the fight for a better future.
We welcome all tides.
Ocean Hoptimism is for everyone who cares—whether you’re a scientist, surfer, student, or someone who just wants to help. We celebrate diverse backgrounds, identities, and ways of knowing.