The Ocean covers 97 percent of the Earth. That’s 321,003,271 cubic miles according to NOAA. Thus, in celebrating Earth Day, it makes sense to acknowledge not only land, but the sea as well.
Here are three ways to show your love for our oceans, as we strive to keep them pollution-free.
Use less plastic
Plastic is the biggest polluter of the world’s oceans. In fact, experts calculate that 275 million metric tons of plastic waste is floating out there. In the central North Pacific Ocean, there is an area of trash nicknamed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Living up to its name, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is as wide as the state of Texas. This patch is not the only plastic trash vortex in the ocean; it is only the largest. In fact, there are five in total across the globe.
Unlike other pollutants, the problem with plastic is that it is non-biodegradable and could continue to float around up to 1,000 years longer than other forms of garbage.
So, skip the straw when you have a beverage. Recycle plastic items and opt for more compostable containers whenever possible.
Pitch in and clean up
Once the trash is out there, every little bit of litter can potentially harm marine life and damage coastal habitats. A number of groups work to clean the beaches up and down the California coast. Find a local cleanup event, bring friends and family to your favorite stretch of sand and commit to cleaning it up. Find a beach cleanup through the city of San Mateo or connect with the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Eat safe and sustainable seafood
One-third of fish populations around the globe are being depleted due to loss of habitat, growing demand for seafood and unsustainable fishing practices. There are ways to eat healthy and help the environment by reducing consumer demand for overexploited species. Search for sustainable seafood options and learn more from Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.
When people take the time to understand the vital role oceans play in our lives, taking small steps to save them become urgently important. These eco-friendly efforts can have a big impact on the Ocean and the planet as a whole, making every day Earth Day.
