What is the impact and significance of the Team Seas initiative beyond just removing plastic from oceans?

Team Seas operates on a simple yet effective model where every dollar donated removes one pound of trash from the ocean through beach cleanups, river intercepts, and direct ocean cleaning. The initiative builds on the success of Team Trees and represents a tangible environmental challenge that can actually be solved within a decade with proper funding, unlike many long-term environmental issues. Beyond the immediate cleanup impact, Team Seas creates lasting behavioral change by fostering environmental stewardship among participants, especially young donors. When someone contributes to the cause, it becomes part of their identity, making them more likely to prevent littering and advocate for environmental protection in their daily lives. The project serves as a unifying force around an issue everyone can agree on - keeping plastic out of our oceans - while helping future generations develop sustainable thinking and realize our collective responsibility to care for Earth.