Commemoration of the World Ocean Month
In an effort to combat the growing issue of plastic pollution in our oceans, a comprehensive approach is needed. This approach involves individual actions, community involvement, and broader systemic changes.
For individuals, reducing single-use plastics is key. Swap plastic bags, bottles, straws, and takeaway coffee cups for reusable alternatives such as cloth bags, stainless steel or glass water bottles, and metal or paper straws. Opt for reusable containers for shopping and food storage, and consider using beeswax wraps or silicone lids instead of plastic cling wrap.
Moreover, improving recycling practices is essential. Ensure that you recycle correctly by cleaning items before recycling and only recycling materials accepted by local recycling programs. Minimizing microplastic exposure can also be achieved by using glass, metal, or ceramic containers for food storage and wooden or bamboo cutting boards.
Community and collective actions play a significant role in the fight against plastic pollution. Participating in beach cleanups, supporting sustainable initiatives, and educating others about the impacts of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems are all effective ways to inspire others to take action.
On a broader scale, advocating for policy change is crucial. Support governmental policies that limit plastic production and waste, incentivize sustainable packaging, and invest in innovative materials. Encouraging a shift from a linear economy to a circular one that emphasizes reuse, repair, and recycling is another important step.
Children's books on topics such as ocean life, plastics, recycling, and saving the ocean are available, making education accessible for all ages. June is observed as National Ocean Month worldwide, with World Ocean Month aiming to raise the profile of the ocean, connect people globally, and encourage year-round action to protect and restore the ocean.
By integrating these strategies into daily life, individuals can significantly contribute to reducing plastic pollution in the ocean. Reducing plastic use, cleaning beaches, recycling, and signing petitions are easy ways to help protect our marine life, which includes vertebrates like fish, marine mammals, sea birds, and reptiles and amphibians that can live on land and in the sea.
Invertebrates, which have no backbone, make up about 75% of marine life. Examples include jellyfish, plankton, anemone, coral, squid, octopuses, crabs, shrimp, lobsters, starfish, clams, oysters, and mussels. Marine mammals eat just about anything, including seals, whales, dolphins, otters, walruses, and manatees. Sea birds eat both invertebrates (crab, clam, squid) and vertebrates (fish, small reptiles and amphibians).
Plastics are a major problem for the ocean and its animal residents, causing pollution, poisoning animals, and trapping and harming them. By taking action, we can help protect our oceans and the diverse marine life they support.
- Volunteering with programs that focus on home-and-garden sustainable living can help kids learn how to reduce plastic use in their own lives.
- To further educate kids about the importance of environmental science and climate-change, books on topics like saving the ocean and recycling can be purchased for them.
- Encouraging a lifestyle that promotes the use of reusable books, containers, and household items made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo or glass can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in our homes.
- By supporting environmental-science initiatives and volunteering for clean-up events in local parks, home-and-garden, and community areas, kids can take an active role in fighting climate-change and protecting marine life.
