World Ocean Day 2008
Earth-shattering waves, flesh shredding sharks, deep dark murky water and, oh yes, shards of glass from broken bottles and contaminated waste washing up on our coasts. The ocean can be a scary place but we contribute to making it a harmful and unsustainable environment. With World Ocean Day on June 8, it's time we looked at the perilous state of the oceans without our goggles on and celebrated making a change.
Story Highlights
- Some Ideas
- Take The Ocean Conservation Pledge
- The Importance Of Our Oceans
- Seas The Day
Some Ideas
Invite friends and anyone you can get your hands on to a sustainable seafood event or host a fundraising dinner telling people to bring a creative fishy dish! Or to avoid a possible bout of food poisoning you could invite local chefs to provide the food and ask everyone to chip in to the cost. Check out the Chiefs Collaborative for a list of ‘sustainable seafood chefs' in your area.
Distribute leaflets and strike up friendly chats about the environment, dropping in the ways people can help.
Host a beach, river, lake, wetland or underwater cleanup. Contact local dive and water sport shops to help organize and spread the word. Alternatively recruit volunteers through the media, community posters or local youth groups. Then follow the cleanup with a celebratory dinner featuring sustainable seafood!
Join forces with local environmental groups to help manage and provide resources to volunteers who are interested in regular cleanups.
Take The Ocean Conservation Pledge
For those of you who are really dedicated, here are a few ways you can really make a difference. The challenge is to achieve them all!
- Reduce your energy consumption.
- Buy energy saving appliances for your home.
- Buy local foods - including seafood.
- Tell people. Discuss your concerns about the impact of climate change on the ocean with the people you know.
- Take the bus, walk, cycle or car-share with others. You'll be cutting down on carbon emissions which can damage the coral-reef.
- Volunteer with an ocean group or a local watershed.
- Take part or plan a World Ocean Day activity - either in a group or on your own.
The Importance Of Our Oceans
The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) state that oceans are an essential support system for our planet because they help to control our climate, filter pollution and supply us with food and medicines. However the Pew Oceans Commission has said in recent years that our oceans are in a state of: "silent collapse, threatening jobs, cultures, coastal ecosystems and marine life.”
Here are the main offenders to our oceans according to research by the NRDC:
- Overfishing: This affects the population and the diversity of underwater life.
- Nutrient pollution: Land-based sources containing harmful waste such as sewage, and farm and yard fertilizer runoff and contribute to destructive blooms of algae. These kill fish, contribute to swimmer illness and can even lead to ocean: "dead zones” - places devoid of marine life.
- Coastal development: Ecological areas and vital habitats for fish species are threatened by the oil, grease and toxic pollutants that leak into coastal waters as a result of coastal development.
- Invasive species: Food chains, native species and gene pools are affected by invasive species which can breed at a much faster rate.
- Climate change: Rising sea levels and the loss of coastal wetlands and habitat are likely to ensue as a result of increased temperatures.
- Haphazard management: There is no single body to oversee government actions that affect ocean health and productivity. Instead more than 20 government agencies and over 140 federal laws are involved.
Seas The Day
Visit this site http://www.theoceanproject.org/action/involve.php and: “Seas the day!” Such a creative catch line belongs to the website of course, along with helpful tips and monthly themes. It's a great way to take simple steps to make a real difference.
For those of you who don't have much time but still want to make a difference, you can simply sign the petition on the World Ocean Day page.
- Jen Page
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