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.
You don't have to completely change your life to become a responsible steward of the planet. There are simple things you can do everyday, and teach your children to become aware of, that will make a difference. Biking or walking instead of taking a gas powered vehicle to travel just a few blocks, is one way to help. Everyone can remember to turn lights off and thermostats up when they leave for the day.
Plastic is convenient and many people use it without thinking about its impact on the earth. When this material gets in the oceans, it can destroy marine life and last for years. There are actually islands in the Pacific and Atlantic that consist of nothing but the trash left behind by the human species. If you take pains to avoid littering, recycle, use cloth bags for shopping, and reusable water bottles, you will make a difference.
Beaches are national treasures for every country lucky enough to have them. Many visitors however are careless about how they treat these beautiful stretches of land and water. You can teach your children to leave the beaches the way they found them, to refrain from pulling coral and rocks off the ocean floor, and to become active in community beach cleanup days.
A lot of people love to eat seafood and believe fish is a healthy alternative to red meat. When you order rare and exotic species in restaurants and seafood markets, you are participating in the further destruction of a fragile ecosystem. Refusing to purchase items like shark teeth, tortoiseshell combs, and coral necklaces sends a message to shop owners that it is unacceptable to exploit marine populations.
If you have pets, you need to read the food labels and buy only sustainable seafood products. Flushing litter is bad for your plumbing, no matter what the label says, and even worse for water sources. Litter contains pathogens that harm marine life. If you have an aquarium, you should never purchase wild saltwater fish for it and never dump the contents of a fish tank into open water.
Education is key when it comes to informing the younger generation about the importance of conservation. You are teaching by example when your children see you researching how your political representatives vote on these important issues. Children will notice if you choose to frequent only restaurants that offer sustainable seafood on their menus.
Protecting the earth is everyone's responsibility. For the moment, this is the only planet we have. If we destroy our ability to inhabit it, it won't matter whether you believed in climate change or not.
You don't have to completely change your life to become a responsible steward of the planet. There are simple things you can do everyday, and teach your children to become aware of, that will make a difference. Biking or walking instead of taking a gas powered vehicle to travel just a few blocks, is one way to help. Everyone can remember to turn lights off and thermostats up when they leave for the day.
Plastic is convenient and many people use it without thinking about its impact on the earth. When this material gets in the oceans, it can destroy marine life and last for years. There are actually islands in the Pacific and Atlantic that consist of nothing but the trash left behind by the human species. If you take pains to avoid littering, recycle, use cloth bags for shopping, and reusable water bottles, you will make a difference.
Beaches are national treasures for every country lucky enough to have them. Many visitors however are careless about how they treat these beautiful stretches of land and water. You can teach your children to leave the beaches the way they found them, to refrain from pulling coral and rocks off the ocean floor, and to become active in community beach cleanup days.
A lot of people love to eat seafood and believe fish is a healthy alternative to red meat. When you order rare and exotic species in restaurants and seafood markets, you are participating in the further destruction of a fragile ecosystem. Refusing to purchase items like shark teeth, tortoiseshell combs, and coral necklaces sends a message to shop owners that it is unacceptable to exploit marine populations.
If you have pets, you need to read the food labels and buy only sustainable seafood products. Flushing litter is bad for your plumbing, no matter what the label says, and even worse for water sources. Litter contains pathogens that harm marine life. If you have an aquarium, you should never purchase wild saltwater fish for it and never dump the contents of a fish tank into open water.
Education is key when it comes to informing the younger generation about the importance of conservation. You are teaching by example when your children see you researching how your political representatives vote on these important issues. Children will notice if you choose to frequent only restaurants that offer sustainable seafood on their menus.
Protecting the earth is everyone's responsibility. For the moment, this is the only planet we have. If we destroy our ability to inhabit it, it won't matter whether you believed in climate change or not.
About the Author:
You can get a summary of important factors to keep in mind when choosing an ocean conservation organization at http://www.drvonherbing.com/about right now.
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