TEST TIDBITS:  WORLD OCEAN DAY—HOW CAN WE PROTECT OCEAN HEALTH?

June is World Ocean Action month and the 8th of June is a day to celebrate all the wonderful diversity of life in the ocean and the bounty it provides all of us.  Although we live far from any ocean, our actions here do affect the health of the ocean. The waterways all drain toward the oceans collecting trash, farm chemicals, plastics and other polluting ingredients along the way.  We know that climate change is causing big problems for the ocean from warmer water, acidification, loss of oxygen, species extinction, loss of habitat and dying coral to name a few.  We also are becoming more and more aware of the fact that humans are to blame for this huge increase in emissions that are fueling climate change. Our “plastic habit” is causing havoc on land, in the air, in our bodies and in the ocean.  Many of us do recycle, but more do not.  The plastic industry has convinced us we can’t do without the convenience of their products and are busy developing new ones.  As consumers, we pay little notice when the industry warns that overfishing (based on demand) will cause species loss.  Sometimes, we need to be reminded that we are all connected in this wonderful web of life.  That our small actions as consumers, as individuals, as societies really do count.

Knowing of our connections to this web of life, what can we do to work for the health and well-being of our oceans?  Here are a few suggestions.

  1.  Advocate for green energy sources and green transportation through supporting wind and solar and purchasing electric or hybrid cars, taking public transportation and reducing air travel. (All will reduce emissions-thus, reducing climate change.)

  2.  Work to eliminate one-use plastics.  Cut plastics in our everyday lives.

  3.  Protect our areas waterways and join groups advocating for clean water

  4.  Join the Ocean Conservancy or other organizations that are trying to protect habitats and species and promote clean-ups.

  5. Lobby for better regulation on use of and retrieval of old fishing nets/equipment.  Advocate to prevent overfishing.

  6.  This site provides a downloadable guide about purchasing sustainable seafood-- Go to https://www.seafoodwatch.org/ Click on recommendations and then guides.

  7. Applaud farmers who work to reduce runoff and who are investing in regenerative agriculture.

  8. Let’s vow to Vote for political leaders who will work toward reduction of climate change.

Earth steward Action:  Pick one of the recommended actions and begin work on that one.  Check out the source webpage.

Sources:  https://oceanconservancy.org

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TEST Tidbits: U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program