Established at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, countries unite with the common goal of ocean preservation and protection for our stunning oceans in celebration of World Oceans Day. Home to the worlds richest habitats, the vast beauty that covers 2/3 of our earth and contains 94% of all living organisms is continuously threatened by oil drilling/spills, storm drain pollution, over fishing, plastic waste, chemical waste, and much more.
The UN announced an urge for protection of our oceans today in hope that regulations and accordances could be agreed on to better protect our most valuable natural resource. In support of World Ocean Day President Obama has extended the one-day event to National Oceans Month here in the US.
As efforts continue with legislation for protection of the ocean consider the steps you can take to better our seas with these easy everyday actions. Take some time to enjoy the beach today and while your out remember to pick up any trash, reduce your use of plastic, remember to snip those deadly plastic soda holders, and from The Nature Conservancy keep in ming these five things you can do on behalf of the sea.
- Eat the right fish, caught the right way. If you live near the ocean, look in your area for a community supported fishery. Like share in a farm, you purchase shares in fresh, locally-caught seafood. If you’re further inland, keep up to date on the best choices in fish when you’re shopping or eating out.
- Speak up. Write or call your congressman and senator and tell them to support the National Endowment for the Oceans, which aims to protect the oceans and our marine-based economy.
- Adopt a coral reef. We are three to four hundred times more likely to get a new medical breakthrough in cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease treatments from our ocean than from land. But if we lose our coral reefs, we lose the life-saving compounds they contain.
- Make your vacation an ocean-friendly one. It’s OK – great, in fact – to get out and snorkel our reefs because you’re supporting local and sustainable tourism. Before you don that mask, check out these reef do’s and don’ts.
- Reduce your carbon footprint. Acidification from climate change is one of the top threats to the ocean. If you’re not sure how or where to start, begin by assessing your current footprint with The Nature Conservancy’s carbon calculator.
Kerry Crisley – The Nature Conservancy
For an easy downloadable sustainable fish purchasing pocket guide check out http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx
