WWF-Australia has announced Australian music artist Cody Simpson as the organisation’s first Ambassador for Oceans. Simpson will support WWF-Australia by raising awareness for the organisation’s Don’t Let Nature Go to the Waste campaign; urging state governments to ban the most problematic single-use plastics and promoting sustainable alternatives.
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Cody, 23, said: 'Protecting and conserving our oceans is something I have been passionate about my whole life.
“I started talking to the World Wildlife Fund about lending my voice and my social media channels as a megaphone for young people,” Simpson said.
“I was swimming and surfing before I could walk. I remember snorkeling in some of the reefs in North Queensland when I was younger, and to see it now years later so damaged is heartbreaking. I have been working with the United Nations to protect and conserve our oceans for a few years now, and I am thrilled to be working with WWF-Australia on projects that protect the ocean I grew up with.”
“They were kind enough to reach out about a more official title and role for me with the organisation, and I’m proud and excited - it could not have come at a better time. Growing up and seeing the situation and issues worsen over the course of my life only motivates me and encourages me more and more to do something about it.”
“Especially in the time we’re in at the moment, a lot of people are resorting to single-use plastics to try and get through. It’s only worsening the situation. I’m trying to do what I can to raise awareness for it and try and set an example in my own life to be an example for other young people to hopefully start caring about it does much as I do.”
Australians use an average of 130kg of plastic per person each year and only 9% of this is recycled. Alarmingly, up to 130,000 tonnes of plastic will find its way our waterways and into the ocean, endangering marine wildlife and polluting our beloved beaches and coastlines.
Simpson will launch the #PlasticFreeShop challenge on social media, nominating his friends Tash Sultana, Jack Johnson and Mason Barnes to remove unnecessary plastics from their grocery shops. The #PlasticFreeShop challenge will roll out across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter throughout July.
As Ambassador for Oceans, Simpson will also raise awareness for WWF-Australia’s Net-Free North campaign; advocating for the removal of deadly commercial gill nets from the northern Great Barrier Reef. Simpson will also participate in research projects for green sea turtles impacted by climate change.
