Help Protect Our Earth
You can help to protect our planet by focusing on the ocean, which makes up 71% of our planet. Ocean conservation is the protection and preservation of the ocean’s various ecosystems, marine life, and natural resources. It involves efforts to alleviate the impacts of human activities to ensure the sustainable use of the ocean for future generations. You can help conserve our oceans by using these eight, quick tips.
1) Properly Dispose of Waste:
Littering and plastic pollution is a major problem as it can accumulate in ocean ecosystems worldwide. Dispose of your waste responsibly to prevent it from ending up on our oceans and waterways. Throw your waste into a garbage can or take your trash with you until you find one or get home. You can help by picking up litter when you see it, encouraging others to properly dispose of their waste and participate in beach clean-ups.
You can get started now by finding beach cleanups near you!
– Beach Clean Ups Near Me
– Volunteer Surfrider
– Keep America Beautiful: List of Cleanups in the U.S
2) Reduce Your Single-Use Plastic:
By reducing your single-use plastic and opting for reusable water bottles, bags and containers, you can minimize the surplus amount of plastic that ends up in our waterways. Sea life can face injury and even death from the consumption of plastics. Reducing your plastic use will surely have a positive impact on marine life!
3) Support Sustainable Seafood:
Overfishing is an important and often overlooked issue plaguing the world’s oceans. Many countries’ main sources of food are derived from the ocean and when overfishing occurs, it can cause a problem for both marine life and humans. Choosing sustainably sourced seafood will help combat the issue of overfishing and protect our marine ecosystems. Learn more about sustainable seafood: Understanding Sustainable Seafood
4) Reduce Your Carbon Footprint:
The ocean’s ecosystems are all interconnected and they help our ecosystems on land thrive as well. The ocean is vitally important as it is a source of food, medicine, serves as a climate regulator and more. Reducing your carbon footprint can help save our oceans. You can use energy-efficient appliances, opt for sustainable transportation, and support renewable energy options to reduce your carbon footprint.
5) Respect Marine Life:
When you participate in ocean activities such as going to the beach, snorkeling, swimming, or diving, you should respect marine life. Avoid disturbing the life around you, for example do not interfere with sea turtle hatchlings going from land to the ocean or coral reefs when snorkeling. It is important to refrain from removing sea-life from its natural habitat and environment.
6) Conserve Water:
Water treatment facilities can be easily overwhelmed with excess water usage, which leads to pollutants entering the ocean ecosystem. Conserving water reduces the amount of wastewater that has to be treated at a facility thus preventing these pollutants from spilling over into the environment. Simple actions such as fixing leaks, using water-saving appliances, and being mindful of water usage can make a significant difference.
7) Practice or Tell Someone You Know to Practice Responsible Boating:
When enjoying activities on the water, be sure that you and your friends practice responsible boating procedures. Marine life can be injured if boaters are in the wrong place, are not maintaining an appropriate speed or not adhering to keeping a safe distance away from marine life. Boaters should avoid areas with sensitive ecosystems, properly dispose of waste, and be mindful of marine wildlife.
8) Advocate for Marine Conservation:
Researching and spreading your knowledge about the importance of ocean conservation is now easier with the help of social media. You can help your community by sharing information and advocating to put policies in place to protect our marine environments. Educate yourself and use the resources available to you on the internet and social media.
Helping our oceans starts with you! Remember to properly dispose of your waste, reduce your single-use plastic, advocate for marine conservation, support sustainable seafood, reduce your carbon footprint, respect marine life, conserve water, and practice responsible boating.
