Protecting Our Oceans: Ways To Reduce Pollution

Marine plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to the health of our oceans, marine life, and humans alike. With an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic currently polluting our oceans, it is imperative that we take action to address this problem. Here are some ways in which we can help reduce ocean pollution:

- Reduce the use of single-use plastics and opt for reusable alternatives.

- Properly dispose of or recycle plastic items and other waste.

- Participate in river and beach clean-up events to remove plastics from the ocean and prevent more from entering.

- Avoid products containing microbeads, such as some face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes.

- Support legislation and policies that aim to curb plastic production and improve waste management.

- Educate yourself and others about the impacts of ocean pollution and the importance of protection.

- Advocate for sustainable fishing practices and choose sustainable seafood options.

- Contact your local representatives and lawmakers to raise awareness about ocean conservation issues.

Reduce single-use plastics

Single-use plastics are a major contributor to ocean pollution. The easiest and most direct way to help reduce plastic pollution is to cut down on your own use of single-use plastics. This includes plastic bags, water bottles, straws, cups, utensils, dry cleaning bags, take-out containers, and any other plastic items that are used once and then thrown away.

• Refuse any single-use plastics that you do not need, such as straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils, and takeout containers.
• Purchase and carry reusable versions of these products, such as reusable grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, and coffee cups.
• When you refuse single-use plastic items, let businesses know that you would like them to offer alternatives.
• Support legislation that limits or bans unnecessary single-use plastic items, such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles.
• Participate in or organize a cleanup of your local beach or waterway to help remove plastics from the ocean and prevent them from getting there.

Support legislation to curb plastic production

While individual actions are important, they are not enough to solve the plastic pollution problem. We need to support legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers responsible for the waste they generate.

At the international level, we can support the global plastics treaty enacted by the United Nations, which has been signed by 175 member states. This treaty sets global rules and regulations to reduce plastic pollution. We can also advocate for policies that limit, tax, or ban unnecessary single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. These types of policies have already been successfully enacted in many places globally.

In the United States, there have been efforts to pass federal legislation addressing plastic pollution, such as the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. Additionally, there are state-level initiatives to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, which makes plastic producers and distributors responsible for their products and packaging at the end of their life cycle.

At the local level, we can support laws that ban or tax single-use plastic items. For example, in San Francisco, a complete ban on plastic bags and a 10-cent fee on compostable and paper bags resulted in a 70% reduction in plastic bag pollution. Similarly, Washington, D.C. experienced an 85% reduction in plastic bag use after implementing a five-cent tax.

We can also support legislation that establishes extended producer responsibility schemes, which hold plastic manufacturers accountable for the waste they create. This can include container-deposit legislation, where manufacturers are required to take back their products for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal.

By supporting and advocating for these types of laws, we can help curb plastic production and reduce plastic pollution on a larger scale.

Reduce your carbon footprint

Reducing your carbon footprint is one of the most effective ways to help combat ocean pollution. The climate crisis poses a significant threat to the health of our oceans and marine life. Sea levels are rising, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and the increasing acidity of our oceans is causing coral bleaching. As such, reducing your carbon footprint can have a direct positive impact on the health of our oceans. Here are some ways you can reduce your carbon footprint:

• Use less energy: Choose energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, and avoid oversetting your thermostat.
• Reduce vehicle pollution: Opt for fuel-efficient vehicles, carpool when possible, or consider riding a bike or walking.
• Conserve water: By reducing your water usage, you can help prevent excess runoff and wastewater from flowing into the ocean.
• Support climate action: Advocate for policies that address the climate crisis and promote sustainable practices. Join organisations like Oceana, which is dedicated to ocean conservation.
• Educate yourself and others: Understanding the impact of the climate crisis on our oceans can help you make more informed choices. Share this knowledge with others to raise awareness and encourage collective action.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle: Decrease your plastic consumption, especially single-use plastics. Opt for reusable containers and support businesses that offer sustainable alternatives. Recycle plastic items properly to keep them out of our oceans.
• Volunteer: Get involved in beach or river cleanups to remove plastic waste from our oceans and prevent it from entering our waterways.

Avoid products with microbeads

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that are added to health, beauty, and personal care products such as facial cleansers, toothpaste, and body wash. They are used as exfoliants and are usually made of polyethylene or polypropylene plastic. These microbeads are often too small to be caught in water filters and end up in oceans and lakes, becoming a form of microplastic marine debris.

Due to their small size, microbeads can be mistaken for food by fish, birds, and other marine animals, leading to death and disrupting the food chain. They can also absorb contaminants in the water, making them even more toxic.

To avoid contributing to this issue, it is important to be an informed consumer and check the ingredient lists of cosmetic products. Microbeads are usually listed as polyethylene or polypropylene on the labels. Opt for products that do not contain these ingredients and choose safer alternatives. By avoiding products with microbeads, you can help reduce the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans and protect marine life.

Additionally, you can support organisations like 5 Gyres, which is dedicated to researching and understanding the impact of plastics on the environment. They accept donations of used products containing microbeads to use in educational kits, raising awareness about the effects of microbeads on our oceans.

Advocate for ocean-friendly policies

Advocating for ocean-friendly policies is a powerful way to contribute to the health of our oceans and the planet. Here are some ways to get involved:

Educate Yourself and Others

Start by understanding the issues affecting our oceans, such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Share this knowledge with your friends, family, and community. Educating others about ocean conservation doesn't have to be daunting; it can be as simple as a conversation over dinner or a social media post. Ask questions, listen to others' thoughts, and share what sparked your interest in ocean conservation.

Support Ocean Conservation Organisations

Get involved with organisations dedicated to ocean conservation, such as Ocean Conservancy, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, or The Ocean Cleanup. These organisations work tirelessly to protect marine ecosystems and advocate for sustainable practices. You can support them through donations, volunteering, or participating in their initiatives.

Contact Public Officials and Policymakers

Reach out to your local representatives and public officials to advocate for ocean-friendly policies. Express your concerns about ocean conservation and encourage them to support policies that protect marine life and habitats. Building relationships with decision-makers can turn them into champions for ocean conservation. Remember to be respectful and personalise your message by sharing why this issue matters to you.

Vote for Candidates Prioritising the Environment

Use your voting power to elect candidates who prioritise environmental protection. Vote in local, state, and national elections to support leaders committed to preserving our oceans and addressing issues like plastic pollution and illegal fishing. Your vote helps shape policies and initiatives that impact the health of our oceans.

Engage in Policy Advocacy

Get involved with policy advocacy efforts to protect marine habitats and species. Support legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for their waste. Advocate for the creation and preservation of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the implementation of strong regulations. Well-regulated and enforced MPAs can provide significant ecological benefits and increase the resilience of marine ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions