Every year on the 8th of June is the one day a year that has been set aside by the United Nations to celebrate and honor our oceans. The concept of World Oceans Day started in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as an idea submitted by Canada. Since then through countless efforts by The Ocean Project, World Oceans Day is a day acknowledged by the United Nations and a day celebrated on a global scale.
The Ocean Project
The Ocean Project believes that #TogetherWeCan protect and restore our ocean. Each year helps guide the public towards one effort they designate as an annual conservation focus. This year the conservation focus is to demonstrate leadership in preventing plastic pollution and share solutions that inspire and activate the global community.
Personally, I feel inspired by this year’s conservation focus. Partly, because one of my New Year’s resolutions was to reduce my plastic pollution contribution. As we are halfway through the year I feel recharged on this World Oceans Day to help reduce my contribution and to share my personal solutions so that together we can all make a difference!
Give a Damn
I grew up in south Florida, riding my bike to the beach and spending countless hours in and on the ocean. I learned at a young age how trash and pollution can easily make its way to the oceans. While at university for marine biology I learned even more about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution in the oceans. Now that I live in the mountains of North Carolina I am still aware of how my choices here in the mountains can make their way to the oceans.
Together We Can
This year I decided to start using reusable straws. I already had plastic reusable straws at home but decided to purchase stainless steel ones. Now, after this blog post, I will probably purchase the bamboo reusable straws. While it’s great to continue to reuse the plastic and stainless steel straws, eventually they will make their way to the trash. If the bamboo straws do, they are naturally biodegradable. I try to always keep at least one in my purse or backpack so that I can do my part to keep a single-use plastic straw out of the trash.
I have countless reusable bags, all together in the hall closet by the front door. At home. I continuously forget to put them in the car and only seem to remember them as I am cashing out! 🤦♀️ Which is why I started asking for paper bags at our grocery store. Not only does it help me reduce my plastic pollution contribution but our pet pig loves to terrorize the paper bags. They’re a “win-win” for our family.
Anyone that knows me well knows that I love a good reusable water/beverage vessel. Be it a water bottle, a Nalgene liter bottle or a large tumbler. It’s a problem. But, a good problem to have. I always, always have at least one with me at all times. Every time I go to a coffee shop instead of having my coffee made in a single-use cup I ask for it be made in my reusable cup. I haven’t had a shop say “no” yet. At home instead of purchasing plastic disposable cups, we use our tumblers or water bottles. It has a tendency to lead to a few extra dishes at the end of the day but it only adds a minute or so!
Weighing the Pros and Cons
For me, the pros of using reusable products outweigh the cons. I’ve witnessed sea turtles thinking plastic bags were jellyfish. I’ve learned how our sea bird populations are at serious risk as their bellies fill with plastic, not food. And I’ve learned about the plastic island in the middle of the ocean. To me, I don’t mind the “hassle” of toting around a straw, cup, or bag (when I remember!) In my heart I know I’m doing my part, even though small, it counts. Also, I just really freaking love the ocean! And you do slightly inconvenienced tasks for what you love. 😉
Extending the Challenge
This year on World Oceans Day I challenge you to try a new way to reduce your plastic pollution. Just one new way. It doesn’t even have to be on this list. Comment and share how you plan on reducing your plastic pollution. If you post on the FishAngler app, use #WorldOceansDay in the comments and you may be featured on our social channels! If you post on Instagram tag @FishAnglerApp and you may be featured on our page or in our stories this weekend as we celebrate World Oceans Day. Of course, sharing ideas on social channels are also a great way to encourage each other on this World Oceans Day!
Happy World Oceans Day from the FishAngler team!
– Christina A., Marine Biologist, FishAngler
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