Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Even The Small Changes You Make Can Contribute To Overall Ocean Conservation

By Peter Stevens


There seems to be a lot of discussion in the political arena over whether or not global warming and climate change are real. The vast majority of the population looks at the melting icecaps and rising sea temperatures and sees a problem. Others dismiss the signs as the rantings of liberal alarmists. What should not be argued however is how vital the oceans are to human survival, which makes ocean conservation the responsibility of everyone.

If you are concerned about the environment and the impact you are making on it, there are steps you can take, and teach your children to take, to minimize your carbon footprint. Every time you decide to walk or bike to get where you need to go, instead of using a gasoline fed car, you are making a difference. Reducing your use of electricity by turning off lights you don't need and turning the thermostat up or down is one small step in the right direction.

Our love of convenience has made plastic so common we forget how harmful it can be to the environment. Dumping it into the oceans destroys marine life and contributes to trash islands. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch was created out of trash gathering where currents and winds come together. The Atlantic has its own trash island in the Sargasso Sea. You can do your part by recycling, reusing water bottles, and opting for cloth shopping bags instead of plastic.

Beaches are amazing wonders of nature. People love to visit them and sometimes leave their trash behind like calling cards. You should teach your children to pick up everything around them when they leave a beach. They need to understand that, when diving, snorkeling, and swimming, it is not acceptable to collect coral and underwater rocks for souvenirs.

Eating fish, as an alternative to red meat, is fine. The problem comes when diners order exotic or rare species from a restaurant menu or buy them in seafood markets. Sustainable seafood should be the only acceptable item on a dinner menu or behind the counter. Coral necklaces, shark's teeth, and tortoiseshell hair clamps are common tourist souvenirs, but when you purchase them, you are contributing to the exploitation of marine life.

Cat and dog owners need to read the labels on the food they feed their pets. You should never buy pet food that lists anything but sustainable seafood among the ingredients. Cat litter is not for flushing, no matter how it is advertised. Wild saltwater fish are not acceptable pets for aquariums, which should never be emptied into open water.

One way to make your conservation concerns heard is by contacting your government representatives when bills are coming up. You can keep up with how they vote on crucial matters and teach you children to follow Congress as well. Your children will notice when you support only representatives who are serious about protecting the environment.

Conserving the oceans is everyone's responsibility. If humans destroy these vital waters, life on earth will not be sustainable. It is never too late to take a stand in defense of the environment.




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