CODY SIMPSON URGES AUSSIES TO DITCH PLASTIC WITH NEW WWF-AUSTRALIA AMBASSADORSHIP

He’s best known for his music, but now Cody Simpson is helping to protect our oceans from plastics. To launch Plastic Free July, today 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 Waste campaign; urging state governments to ban the most problematic single-use plastics and promoting sustainable alternatives.

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 into 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.

Growing up on the Gold Coast, Simpson has a strong affinity for the Australian coast. “Protecting and conserving our oceans is something I have been incredibly passionate about for a long time,” said Simpson.

“I was swimming and surfing before I could walk. I remember snorkelling 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.”

Richard Leck, Head of Oceans, WWF-Australia said: “Australia’s oceans are littered with plastics, and our marine wildlife needs to be protected now more than ever. As we emerge from COVID-19, it’s really important that we restart the momentum to make our oceans plastic-free and our marine wildlife safe."

“Cody has a lifelong connection and passion for Australia's amazing marine life and is determined to see greater protection of our oceans. As WWF-Australia’s first Ambassador for Oceans, we are excited for Cody to be a voice for change to ensure our oceans have a brighter future.”

Learn more about what WWF-Australia is doing to protect our oceans and show your support for a ban on problematic single-use plastics.

The truth is, plastic is everywhere and it doesn't disappear. We can't let nature go to waste.

Help phase out single-use plastics.

WWF-Australia is proud to support the global Plastic Free July movement, helping millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.