In October 2021, YouTube star MrBeast launched the TeamSeas project with the ambitious goal of raising $30 million to remove 30 million pounds of trash from the world’s oceans. The initiative quickly gained traction by partnering with fellow YouTuber Mark Rober and leveraging the support of high-profile creators, EDM artists like Tiesto and Zedd, and billionaire Austin Russell. By January 2022, they had met their fundraising goal, enabling them to deploy trash-cleaning robots and mobilize volunteer organizations worldwide.
On July 16, 2024, MrBeast proudly announced that TeamSeas had surpassed their target, successfully removing 34,080,191 pounds of trash and plastic from oceans and rivers globally. This accomplishment surpassed their initial goal by 4 million pounds, a feat independently verified by a third party.
The campaign saw contributions from donors, volunteers, partners, and creators worldwide. People from over 200 countries and territories participated, with parents and children, schools, organizations, and online communities all joining forces.
Throughout the campaign, supporters could visit the Team Seas website to select the amount of trash they wanted to be removed. Donations flowed in daily, resulting in an unprecedented 1.3 billion video views across more than 40,000 social channels promoting Team Seas content. The campaign inspired not only ordinary people but also celebrities, brands, and billionaires to contribute, making it the largest creator-led crowdfunding effort in internet history.
The funds raised were utilized effectively by partnering with two organizations: The Ocean Cleanup and Ocean Conservancy. The Ocean Cleanup employed innovative solutions, such as trash-eating robots, to prevent millions of pounds of trash from entering the ocean. Ocean Conservancy, on the other hand, mobilized a global network of cleanup partners and volunteers to conduct beach cleanups and remove abandoned ghost gear from coral reefs.
The campaign’s impact extended to various corners of the world, benefiting fishermen in Jamaica, individuals in Florida, and communities in Alaska, all with just one dollar at a time. Despite this massive cleanup effort, Team Seas emphasizes the ongoing need for action. They encourage people to join beach cleanups, choose plastic alternatives, and continue supporting the efforts of The Ocean Cleanup and Ocean Conservancy.
This success demonstrates the power of collective action in addressing environmental challenges. Team Seas is a testament to what can be achieved when people unite for a common cause, and they are eager to embark on their next big project with the support of their global community.
