Written by Emilia Erin
5 ways you can help keep our oceans clean
Did you know clean oceans are crucial for regulating the climate? Oceans are responsible for producing a massive amount of oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide from the environment. They’re also helpful in reducing heat and improving weather conditions.
Additionally, ocean life offers unique experiences to divers and boaters. You get to see a variety of flora and fauna residing in deep waters that add to the beauty of these majestic water bodies.
Clean oceans are also important sources of food for human beings. Besides gaining seafood like fish, crabs, lobsters, and oysters, they provide edible algae/seaweed, soy milk, and even peanut butter.
Some scientists also produce medicines for heart, brain, and cancer from oceanic products.
All in all, keeping the oceans clean is a social responsibility not only for wildlife safety but also for the sake of our own mental and physical well-being.
Let’s explore a few ways you can help clean up the oceans and prevent them from toxic elements.
1. Decrease carbon footprint
The first thing you can do to minimize water pollution is to reduce your carbon footprint. Oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide and heat in the environment, making them more acidic. This in turn affects the wildlife and fish living in deep waters, changing their structure or killing them instantly.
By reducing your carbon footprint, you can help manage the carbon dioxide release and create an impact on global warming. Additionally, it’ll save the ocean creatures from going extinct.
2. Avoid using plastic
According to research by IUCN, a total of 300 million plastics are produced every year out of which 8 million end up in the oceans. This makes up at least 80% of the water debris floating around in lakes, rivers, and streams, moving toward large water bodies like seas and oceans.
Numerous species like sea turtles, fish, and mammals accidentally ingest these plastics. The small pieces get stuck in their bellies, killing them by starvation, suffocation, or internal injuries.
Therefore, ensure you responsibly get rid of plastic waste or better yet, stop using it altogether. Choose biodegradable options for cutlery, bottles, and other utensils. If you go outdoors, avoid throwing stuff out in the open and take it with you home.
3. Don’t use chemicals and toxins
Some people wash their clothes or dishes in flowing waters using detergents or soaps. They contain severely harmful chemicals that ultimately reach the wildlife living in oceans. These toxins kill the flora and fauna, dispersing the habitats. So avoid using such chemicals when you’re outdoors. Simply wash them with water or use organic products.
4. Practice ‘catch and release' fishing
If you’re into fishing, this is a practice worth following. ‘Catch and release’ is a form of fishing technique that ensures high survival rates and prevents killing sea animals just for the sake of fun. It’s quite successful in reducing accidentally injuring fish as well.
Through this humane technique, the sea animals remain unharmed, continue to populate the sea, and maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
5. Be responsible while boating
Last but not the least, safe boating plays a vital role in keeping our oceans clean. If you’re someone with a knack for watersports, you might want to be mindful of where you moor or throw your anchor. Avoid going into areas with a high number of plants or animals as you might accidentally injure them.
Also, don’t throw the trash into the water. Avoid going out into the sea during rough weather as it can be toxic for the sea life as well as dangerous for you. It’s best not to wander off into areas with lots of plants - sometimes they get tangled into the motor and can seriously damage the environment.
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