Protecting Oceans and Beaches
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny
Magdaug and Patti Kishel
The Surfrider Foundation has been working to protect the world's oceans and beaches from plastics and other pollution since it was founded in Malibu in 1984.
When plastic ends up in the ocean it is particularly
dangerous to the environment because it doesn't decompose and virtually lasts
forever, injuring marine life and damaging habitat. An estimated 11 million
metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year.
Microplastics, the smallest plastics (less than 2/10 of an
inch) are almost impossible to remove from the ocean and often get ingested by
sea animals and later by humans who eat the seafood when it enters the food
chain.
To turn the tide on plastic pollution, Surfrider's
worldwide network organizes beach cleanups, educates the public about the
harm plastics can do, and gets legislation passed to eliminate single-use
plastic containers, bags, and straws.
Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants program
is also helping to keep plastic off the beach by getting restaurants to use plastic-free
utensils and take-out containers.
Surfrider's Plastic Pollution Manager, Rachael Coccia, says, "Each and every one of us has a part to play that will make a difference in the plastic pollution crisis. The less plastic we consume, the less plastic there is to hurt people, animals and our world."
Before we buy or use something, we should ask ourselves:
"Do I actually need this?" "Is there a better alternative?"
suggests Coccia. "Instead of having
more things, let's find happiness in life's many experiences – like walking on
the beach at sunset with someone we love – not in our stuff!"
Sunny Magdaug and Patti
Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications
wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com
Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites
as long as credit is given.
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