It's no secret that our precious oceans are in a state of turmoil. From daily polluted runoff making its ways into our beaches a bays to the gigantic island of plastic collecting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, our beautiful ocean home needs your help. And as a diver, it's even more important to do all we can to protect the underwater world we love for not only our enjoyment but for that of the future divers ahead of us.
Saving our oceans may seem like a daunting task at first but you don't have to start a successful non-profit or donate thousands of dollars to different causes to make a lasting impact. There are plenty of things you can do from home and in your daily life that can make a difference, many of which cost nothing. Here is our list of the top 5 things you can do every day to save our oceans. Most importantly, never forget the famous words of Mahatma Gandhi:
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
5 Ways To Save Our Oceans In Your Everyday Life
#1. BYOS - BRING YOUR OWN STRAW
We need to start a straw revolution! Small and light weight, straws virtually never make it into recycling bins. Although straws amount to a small fraction of the overall ocean plastic, due to its small size it is one of the worst polluters because it entangles marine animals and is consumed by fish. Let's rid the oceans one straw at a time by "Bringing Your Own Straw" (BYOS)! You can easily purchase lovely stainless steel straws online or at any Starbucks. Keep it in a portable pouch in your purse or car and bring it into any restaurant with you to use. Then just rinse and repeat. Simple as that!
#2. BYOB - BRING YOUR OWN BAG
Did you know that by the year 2050 experts believe there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish?!? That is a sad thought, but you can make a difference TODAY just by cutting plastic bags out of your everyday life. When you go to the store, bring your own canvas, reusable bags. When you pack a lunch, purchase and use reusable sandwich and snack baggies. And if you must use plastic bags at some point (because we all forget our canvas bags now and then) save up your plastic bags and bring them into your closest recycling center. Most grocery stores can do this for you.
#3. STOP USING BOTTLED WATER
Please, we beg you....stop consuming bottled water!!! Here are the sad facts:
- Americans used about 50 billion plastic water bottles last year.
- We only recycled 38% of those used.
- The energy we waste using bottled water would be enough to power 190,000 homes.
- Making bottles to meet America’s demand for bottled water uses more than 17 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year.
The solution is simple....buy a reusable water bottle or canteen. You see them for sale EVERYWHERE from plain colors to really cool designs. Buy one, fill it up at home or on the go and drink. Fill and repeat. Nuf' said.
#4. EAT SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD
According to the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), three-quarters of the world’s fisheries are now overexploited, fully exploited, significantly depleted or recovering from overexploitation. Our ocean's fisheries are on the verge of collapse and you can help by carrying a sustainable seafood card with you when shopping or dining out. This card developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium lists which seafood items are good to eat and which we should stay away from. You can get the Seafood Watch app here.
#5. BYOC - BRING YOUR OWN CUP
Yes, one more BYO.....please, bring your own cup! Trash cans the world over are overflowing with disposable plastic cups. Think about how many times a week you grab something to go and a plastic or even worse, styrofoam drink comes with it? You can easily cut down on this trash by purchasing a cute or classy plastic, glass or stainless steel reusable cup for your daily coffee and or fountain drinks. And just as we suggested for the straws and bottled water above, just rinse after each use and repeat. Simple yet largely impactful!
We could go on and on listing even more ways to help save our oceans in your everyday life, but we feel these are the 5 most easily implementable changes that have the most impact. And if you want to have even more impact, share what you're doing with your friends! Share this post with everyone you know and tell them about the changes you are making in your life to help preserve our precious ocean resources.
