The United Nations’ World Oceans Day is June 8. The oceans cover over 70% of the planet. They are our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on Earth.
Below are some tips and resources so that every member of the family can take part in a healthy future for what many people call the “blue heart” of our planet:
Protect your local watershed. Regardless of how far away you are from the ocean, your local watershed is connected to it. By taking steps to understand and protect the rivers, creeks, streams, and other bodies of water that flow into our communities, we can help ourselves and the ocean. EarthEcho’s annual Water Challenge runs from March 22 through December 31 and is a great way to join millions of people worldwide who are doing just that! Visit www.monitorwater.com to learn more.
Use soaps and detergents that are phosphate-free. Think of it this way: Whatever goes down the drain can end up in local waterways and, ultimately, the ocean!
Reduce your overall water usage and conserve vital groundwater by switching to low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets.
Opt for landscaping that uses native plants and minimizes your impervious surface. Plant vegetable gardens and native pollinator patches instead of high-maintenance lawns to avoid chemical pesticides and fertilizers. This benefits both your health and the ocean’s health, as these avoid toxic runoff that is causing coastal “dead zones”around the world.
Practice food with thought. Whenever possible, look for sources of food that are local or regional in origin. Farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture can provide an abundance of affordable and healthy seasonal foods that contribute to the economic health of community farms and other businesses. When you buy local, you are also helping reduce emissions that contribute to climate change, a significant factor in ocean health.
Make sure your seafood purchases are sustainable. Marine Stewardship Council (www.msc.org/home) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (www.asc-aqua.org) labels, as well as local sustainable seafood guides, can help. For making good choices when eating seafood at or from restaurants, we like the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch app (www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-recommendations/our-app).
Use mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen. Or where possible, opt for barrier covers like lightweight clothing or long-sleeved rash-guard swimwear (www.ewg.org/sunscreen).
Make repairing and reusing priorities in your home. Invest in high-quality pieces and consider consignment options to give your clothing longer wear. Repair or refurbish furnishings and small appliances. While these may not seem like the most obvious actions to take for ocean health, manufacturing and transport create significant amounts of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to climate change. The ocean traps a quarter of those emissions and 90% of the excess heat they cause.
Ditch the plastic habit. Plastic pollution is now found in every part of the ocean and poses one of the biggest threatsto ocean sustainability, marine life, and critical seafood resources.
- Take the reusable water bottle habit to the next level by investing in metal or silicon straws, reusable grocery bags, reusable food storage like jars and silicon bags, and personal-care products like toothpaste tablets and shampoo bars to reduce plastic waste.
- Get a filter for your drain or a microfiber-catching laundry bag to reduce the microplastic fibers in your wash water/greywater.
For more information and resources, please go to www.earthecho.org.