World Ocean Day - June 8
The 8th of June is World Ocean Day. We can think about how we can adapt lifestyles and work that could improve the world’s oceans.
This awareness program “supports collaborative conservation.” The World Ocean Day Annual Report 2021 focused on issues such as, “ocean and climate conservation, fisheries, plastics and protecting special ocean areas.” The organisation emphasised, “personal, community and societal action” with “youth-led efforts and protecting 30% of our blue planet by 2030…” 1103 organisations in more than 84 countries signed a global petition for this goal. Although the campaign is youthful, the young-at-heart (and old souls) can show support for the important issues.
Plastic
The IUCN reports that, “At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and death. Plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change.”
Avoiding microplastics
We can avoid microplastics in our everyday lives. Model the lifestyle you want everyone to follow. Be the change in your workplace and community. Use looseleaf tea instead of tea bags. Wear natural fibres when possible. Find ways to avoid shedding microplastics when washing the clothes you already have. If you are going to buy new clothing, choose sustainably ethically made natural materials. Use natural cosmetics if you are going to wear makeup. Drink from a reusable water bottle, ideally made from stainless steel or glass. Refuse the single-use plastics whenever possible - such as takeaway cutlery, straws and shopping bags. This sounds simple but it requires conscious decisions. I recently visited a pub and ordered orange juice in soda water. I completely forgot the possibility they might put a straw in the glass. I just didn’t think of it. If we can anticipate the moments when disposables might enter situations, we could proactively politely refuse those plastics.
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