Can we help our oceans even if we live far away from the ocean? Does this concern us at all? The answer is simple. Yes and unequivocally yes. No matter how far from the ocean we live, our waste will most likely end up in the ocean and our lifestyle will most certainly have an impact on the health of the ocean. Therefore, the changes and the help we offer the ocean will certainly be felt.
Why is the ocean so important?
phytoplankton produce more than 50% of the oxygen we breathe - we owe every second breath to the ocean
up to 80% of all life on Earth is found beneath the surface of the oceans
oceans cover up to 70% of the planet's surface, helping to combat climate change
Plastics in numbers:
only 6% of all plastic is actually recycled
plastics have been found 11 kilometers below the water surface
by 2050 there may be more plastic in the oceans than fish
we produce 20 times more plastic than we did 50 years ago
it takes 400 years for a plastic bottle to decompose
More than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die every year due to plastic pollution
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is approximately 1.6 million square kilometers, which is larger than Texas
88% of the sea surface is polluted with plastic waste
One in three fish caught for human consumption contains plastic
100% of small sea turtles have plastic in their stomachs
How can we act together?
Save water: use less water so that excess runoff and wastewater does not enter our ocean.
Reduce pollutants: choose non-toxic chemicals and dispose of herbicides, pesticides, and cleaning products properly.
Reduce waste: Reduce the amount of waste you throw away. Choose alternatives that are reusable. Every year, 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enter our ocean. By simply changing to reusable bottles, containers, or shopping bags, we can make a big difference.
Reduce pollution from transport: the marine ecosystem is fragile and susceptible to change, making it extremely vulnerable. As the climate warms, so does our ocean. Use fuel-efficient vehicles, take public transport if you can, or try to use a bicycle when you go on trips.
Choose seafood responsibly: our ocean is home to nearly a million species and is an important source of food and income for over 800 million people worldwide, yet fishing is the biggest threat to marine biodiversity. If sourced responsibly, seafood can be part of a diet with high human health benefits and low environmental impact. Never eat shark fins, whale meat, turtle eggs, or other unsustainable marine species
Use your voice: Create a social media channel and use your voice! Encourage others to join this mission. If you love the ocean talk about it. Our voice is the most powerful weapon we have.
But, we are not alone in this! There are a huge number of organizations that are also trying to help the oceans. I've compiled a list of the most interesting ones.
What about them?
get information, learn the latest news on problem-solving
share their contributions, graphics, and information
material support/buy merch
SeaSheppard conservation society - uses direct action to investigate and document illegal activities at sea. They fight on the front lines.
Oceana - works to restore and protect the world's oceans through policy advocacy, science, and public education.
Padi AWARE foundation - Mobilizes divers to help protect sharks and marine debris.
Coral Reef Alliance - works with communities around the world to help solve problems related to coral reef conservation
GreenPeace - uses non-violent confrontation to expose environmental problems and promote solutions
The Bay Foundation - Restores the waters around Santa Monica Bay. Hires divers to remove purple urchins to bring back kelp forests
Blue voice -documents the transgressions against the sea on film
Billion Oyster Project - seeks to restore a trillion oysters to New York Harbor by 2035. To fix the local ecosystem while teaching elementary school kids about marine STEM activities.
Sea Turtle Conservancy - working to ensure the survival of sea turtles in the Caribbean Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through research, education, training, and protection of the environment on which the turtles depend
SeaTrees - planting one million aquatic trees - mangroves and kelp to help with climate change
Sea of Change - funds research and conservation projects on coral reefs, marine pollution, and endangered species or habitats
The Ocean Project - works to spread ocean conservation through zoo aquariums and museums
I would sum it up like this:
The ocean definitely needs our help. No matter how far we are from it, we are in contact with it every day. After all, we owe every second breath we take to the ocean.
Happy World Ocean day.
Yours truly
