Oceana celebrated its fifth annual Rock Under the Stars event on Saturday night, bringing attention to the urgent need for ocean conservation. The event, held at the Los Angeles home of Oceana board president Keith Addis, was supported by notable celebrities such as Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, Mary Steenburgen, Sam Waterston, and featured a headline performance by Gladys Knight. With climate change and recent natural disasters like the Maui wildfires, the event aimed to convey the importance of taking action to protect our oceans and the planet.
Ted Danson, an Oceana board member, emphasized the need for urgent action, saying, “We do what we do because things are going to be getting worse and worse… Climate change can undo literally everything.” Danson has been involved in ocean conservation for the past four decades and believes that it is crucial to manage fisheries under stress caused by warming waters and changing ecosystems. However, when it comes to the fight against climate change, Danson expressed some weariness, stating, “I am tired. I don’t want to convince anybody anymore who doesn’t believe in it.” Instead, he suggested focusing on practical actions to mitigate the effects of climate change and help communities affected by extreme weather events.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Danson and the Oceana organization maintain hope and continue their efforts to protect the oceans. Oceana has already achieved significant milestones, including the protection of nearly 4 million square miles of ocean habitat, combating overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the preservation of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks. Danson believes that collective action is necessary, stating, “The more you learn, the more you realize what’s at stake and that it is solvable, but it’s a heavy lift unless we all do it together.”
Sam Waterston, the board chair of Oceana, echoed the urgency of the situation, referencing the recent extreme weather events, and emphasized the need to act quickly. He highlighted Oceana’s effective method and strategy in achieving practical results over the past 20 years, which has made a significant impact on the world’s oceans and life in general.
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Inside the event, celebrities like Woody Harrelson, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Begley Jr., and Tommy Chong enjoyed a spread of delicious food provided by A-list L.A. restaurants, including A.O.C., Tacos 1986, Prince Street Pizza, Slab BBQ, The Rose Venice, Bakery by the Yard, and Shappy Pretzel Co. Despite a change in the headlining act, with Gladys Knight stepping in for the Blues Brothers due to SAG-AFTRA strike rules, attendees were treated to an hour-long performance by the renowned singer.
During the event, Keith Addis acknowledged the challenging times we face with climate change and natural disasters, stating, “This is a challenging time for oceans and it’s a very challenging time for the planet.” He urged everyone to come together and take action, emphasizing that it is an all-hands-on-deck situation.
The fifth annual Rock Under the Stars event by Oceana served as a reminder of the urgent need to protect our oceans and the planet. Through the support and involvement of celebrities like Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, Mary Steenburgen, Sam Waterston, and the powerful performance by Gladys Knight, the event successfully highlighted the importance of ocean conservation and the actions necessary to combat climate change.
