Oceans at COP30 + engaging activities to dive into

For teachers, COP30 is a good way to connect global policy to the classroom, showing students that protecting the ocean isn’t just about wildlife, it’s about climate, people, and our shared future. It’s a real-world example of how international decisions shape the natural world around us.

But what was discussed regarding the Ocean?

• The conference recognised oceans as climate champions, highlighting that oceans absorb large amounts of extra heat and carbon dioxide, helping to stabilise the Earth’s climate, while also supporting human livelihoods through food, jobs, and thriving marine ecosystems.

• Countries highlighted the importance of including ocean-based action in their climate plans to help people and nature thrive together. This includes taking care of vibrant coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves, reducing ocean pollution, using clean ocean energy, and making coastal communities safer.

• A new initiative, The “Blue Package” made waves, a big, bold to-do list for fixing our oceans. While it doesn't guarantee all outcomes, it is an aspirational roadmap packed with exciting goals for boosting clean ocean energy, ensuring healthier fish and seafood, cleaner shipping, protecting amazing marine animals and habitats, and creating coastal tourism that’s safe for the climate. It’s a clear blueprint that shows how countries can work together to keep our blue planet thriving.
• Leaders and participants at COP30 emphasized the urgent need for increased funding and action to protect and restore the ocean. Themes included restoring coastal ecosystems, creating marine protected areas, supporting communities that live by the sea, and building climate-safe defences to protect people and nature from rising seas and storms.

Connect global policy to the classroom with the beneath ocean theme activities and projects! Explore the conservation classroom for more teaching ideas and inspiration. 

“Ocean News” Broadcast

Best for: Upper primary & lower secondary

Goal: Develop research & communication skills

Starter Questions: What themes relevant to the ocean were discussed at COP30? What conclusions were made? What makes a good news broadcast?

Classroom Task: Set up a “newsroom” where students produce a COP30 ‘Ocean News’ broadcast.

As a class create 4 ocean-themed headlines connected to issues world leaders discussed at the COP30 summit.

Split the class into groups, assign the groups a headline and a format. 

• Short article
• Video report
• Podcast episode
• Interview simulation with activists or scientists

Reflection: Was the story factual and easy to follow? How well did the group explain why oceans matter?

Blue Carbon Art: Oceans as Climate Protectors 

Best for: Upper Primary

Goal: Learn about blue carbon ecosystems and explain how certain plants store carbon and protect coasts.

Starter Questions: What Is Blue Carbon? Why are blue carbon ecosystems important?

Art Project Instructions: Choose one ecosystem to focus on 

• A mangrove forest
• A seagrass meadow
• A salt marsh

They must include:

• The habitat itself
• At least three animals that live there
• A label or sentence explaining one benefit (carbon storage, storm protection, nursery for wildlife)

Reflection: Gallery Walk & Reflect - what did you learn about blue carbon today? How can protecting these habitats help our oceans in the future?

Further inspiration: Join the mission – Sea Otters Expert Challenge Pack.

Build a Model Coastal City 

Best for: Upper primary & lower secondary

Goal: Adaptation & coastal resilience

Starter Questions: What makes a city coastal? What dangers might they face as the climate warms? What are coastal protection solutions?

Task Brief: Design a future-proof coastal city. You are leaders designing a coastal city for 2050. Your city must:

• Be safe from sea-level rise and storms.
• Protect the ocean and nearby ecosystems.
• Provide homes, transport, and places for people to live, learn, and work.
•  Include at least three climate-resilient features.

Complete Task in groups of 3–5, think about whether your coastal protection solutions are natural defences or are human made.

Reflection: The Climate Challenge Test. Choose an event and ask students to explain how their designs protect the city and nearby ecosystems.

• Big Storm Surge
• King Tide Flood
• Strong coastal winds
• Water Quality Drop
• Plastic Pollution

Marine Food Web & Climate Stress Simulation

Best for: All ages

Focus: Ecosystem impacts of warming seas

Game: Assign students species roles (phytoplankton, krill, fish, sharks, turtles). Using string, students connect themselves to species that they eat or are eaten by. 

Introduce “climate stress cards”

• Marine heatwave kills 50% of phytoplankton.
• Coral bleaching event – coral dies.
• Overfishing removes tuna.
• Plastic debris injures turtles.
• Acidification harms shellfish larvae.

The affected species sit down or drop their string. Students connected to that species tug the string to show the chain reaction. If a student loses all or most of their food sources, they also “collapse.”

Extended learning: A visit to SEA LIFE can deepen what students learn in the classroom and spark an even greater sense of awe for our planet’s most vital resource.