Apr
22Happy Earth Day! Let’s talk ocean debris. You can help, right now.
Filed Under (Special Events, conservation) by Alexa & Cindy on 22-04-2009
Tagged Under : conservation
Happy Earth Day, everyone!
Since we’ve opened the week by talking about ocean threats as part of Earth Week on O4E, we’d like to add another to the pile. This may seem needlessly depressing, but we’re doing so because anyone can help the problem of ocean, or marine debris, as it’s also called, by being mindful every day in very simple ways.
We think everyone should do it.
Hey, it’s a start. So let’s get started!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration put together this brief video as an overview of marine debris. Look for the mention of a popular sea creature who’s being directly affected by debris, one who you’ll see a lot more of this week on O4E.
Let’s Get Kids Involved
Kids can help, too!
Teachers and parents, get started teaching kids about this problem by downloading the NOAA’s marine debris program’s activity book, which is available in both a printable and screen-only version.
You can also download a basic marine debris facts sheet, a land-based debris sources fact sheet a fishing and a boating fact sheet, along with many more resources on the marine debris site (linked above).
Let’s go right now!!
Tell us how you are making a difference for ocean health this Earth Day by leaving a comment on this post.
I would also ask kids to stop releasing helium balloons. I know that they look really pretty soaring up into the sky, but what goes up must come down, and they often come down in the oceans. (I have picked up countless deflated balloons floating off San Diego.) Once the color wears off, they look just like jellyfish and can be accidentally eaten by sea turtles.
That’s a really good point. I’d better hold very tight to my balloons. I’d only release one on accident, so I need to be careful and so do all kids (and adults). ~Alexa
Oh, no use in feeling bad over accidents. I was thinking more of deliberate balloon releasing, like some schools do for graduation.