What
Is Happening to Our Oceans and Ways to Clean it Up
Would you head to a dirty beach with trash strewn all
over it, the water all dirty and carrying all sorts of debris? Chances are you
would avoid such a beach and go out of your way to find a clean one with clear
waters. However, have you ever asked yourself why some beaches and waters are
clean while others are not? Do you take a moment to think of how you can help clean
it up and maintain it so?
Our oceans despite being an essential part of life
support due to their stake in water cycling and oxygen production have
undergone poor treatment from humans. This interferes with marine life and
destroys the environment at the coast. Trash is not only an eyesore but also a
pollutant and harms the water, marine wildlife and even the humans themselves
who frequent these beaches and swim in such waters. Oil spills are also a hazard to the ocean
life and more often than not, many oil companies who cause them are not tasked
with cleaning them up, punished in any way or enforced to employ measures that
would prevent these spills.
As a result we
have ended up with oceans having polluted water, suffering marine animals and
beaches that are an injury waiting to happen to those who frequent them. In
fact, did you know that by 2050, if no action is taken, the ocean will contain
more plastic than fish? Yes, you read that right. A
report from World Economic Forum estimates that by 2050,
plastics will exceed fish by weight if no drastic cleanup and maintenance
measures are employed. So, how can we
clean up our oceans?
Learn
About the Ocean
This will help you realize how your actions impact the
ocean. By educating yourself on the ocean trash and pollutants issue and
actions you can do to restore and protect the oceans, then sharing this
information with friends and those around you, you are already taking the first
step in clean up.
Be
Cautious about Your Carbon Footprint
To save the oceans and prevent your contribution seek
to always be conscious about energy using and the waste you create. Hence, be
energy efficient, use fewer plastics as these end up as ocean debris and
recycle, reuse and repurpose items as much as possible.
Responsible
Ocean Travel
Be responsible on such travels and never throw
anything overboard. During these explorations avoid buying anything that
exploits marine life such as shark products and coral jewelry.
Always
Clean Up After Yourself
Whether you are enjoying a day at the beach or just
surfing and diving in the water, clean up afterwards. In fact, participating in
local beach clean ups will give you great insight into this.
Support
and Get Involved with Organizations Cleaning and Protecting the Ocean
This will help them in the clean up pollution efforts. By offering
financial support, volunteering for advocacy and on other projects you can make
a difference and inspire others to do the same.
