Friday, 15 December 2017

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

By Peter Stevens


It seems hard to believe that, in the face of rising sea temperatures and melting icecaps, there are those who still refuse to consider that the human species is having a negative impact on the earth. They put it all down to political chicanery and hysterical liberals with an agenda. Many of those climate change deniers however, will concede that ocean conservation is not a bad thing, if it doesn't cause them too much trouble.

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 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.

Pet owners need to read labels and choose sustainable seafood for pet diets. If you have an indoor cat, never flush the litter. The pathogens can get into water sources and harm marine life. When choosing fish for a tank, avoid wild saltwater fish, and never dump aquarium contents into the ocean.

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.

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.




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