We are only 7 full days away from the largest beach cleanup in the world. The Ocean Conservancy conducts a month long cleanup every year worldwide called the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). Anyone can do it, and do research on what kinds of trash is accumulating on our beaches.
This year it is running from September 17-October 15. This is link for how you can lead your own cleanup and send data back to the Ocean Conservancy. This weekend, Pacific Whale Foundation (the company I work for) is partnering with Malama Maui Nui for the ICC kickoff event: Get the Drift and Bag it!
I will be at the Pacific Whale Foundation's tent with displays, one being an example of how a plastic bag would look to a sea turtle in the ocean. Sea turtles have a brain about the size of an almond, making it difficult for them to distinguish if it is a jellyfish, or a plastic bag. Since they probably have no idea, turtles will ingest plastic bags, but cannot digest them, therefore leading to starvation. I made this today from a leftover produce bag, water, glass jar, and blue dye.
I will also be making a marine display board! Showing different types debris and how long it will take for them to break down in the ocean. In order to make this, I went to the beach close to my house, which I will be moving out of soon, too see what kind of debris I could find. Within 5 minutes, my hands were full of this.
My heart was definitely heavier. As I looked further down the beach, I saw even more debris. So I went to my car, emptied out my reusable shopping bag that was full of craft supplies, and made my way back down the beach to gather more for my displays.
Honestly....
WHY DO OUR BEACHES LOOK LIKE THIS???!! WHY IS IT SO EASY FOR ME TO FIND HANDFULS OF MARINE DEBRIS!!???
Of course, not all beaches are littered with trash due to different currents and wind directions, but STILL. When are we going to start WAKING UP and doing something positive for our earth? The technology is there, the activism is there, the funding is not. The money is in the wrong places for greedy, self-centered leaders who continue to invest in fossil fuels and a pipeline going through a sacred reservation.
I challenge those of you on the coastlines to direct your own cleanup. It doesn't have to be extreme, you don't even have to do the whole beach in one day! Do it in sections, bring friends, bring snacks and reusable water bottles.
I even challenge ALL OF YOU to make a simple, environmental change in your household.
What are you doing to help the earth? I want to hear from you guys so I can get new ideas too!
Reduce your consumption. Reuse food containers or jars. Recycle materials properly. Did you know only about 25% of the plastic in the US is recycled?
Thanks for reading! Yay Earth!
~Jill