ReLiving the Beach Life-Take Care of Our Oceans

Having just spent the 4th of July weekend at the beach, I am astounded again at the incredible amount of trash people leave behind. Much of that trash ends up in the ocean and in our storm drains- where you eventually will be drinking it. Yes, this is a picture from the 4th of July in 2006- it was the same in 2009.

I Just Gotta Tell Ya

• About four-fifths of marine trash comes from land, swept by wind or washed by rain off highways and city streets, down streams and rivers, and out to sea.
• Nearly 90% of floating marine litter is plastic.
• In June 2006 United Nations Environmental Program report estimated that there are an average of 46,000 pieces of plastic debris floating on or near the surface of every square mile of ocean.

10 Ocean Saving Tips

1. Reduce your plastic. The most frequently collected items during beach cleanups are made of plastic — think reusable shopping bags, water bottles and utensils.
2. Dispose of chemicals properly. Never pour chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil or paint into the drain or toilets. Check with your county’s household hazardous waste program to properly dispose of or recycle chemicals and keep them out of rivers and oceans.
3. Choose green detergents and household cleaners—or check out homemade recipes on this site! It’s better healthwise and the environment, plus will save you money.
4. Check out where you are staying- Do they recycle, what types of chemicals do they use in the pool.
5. Go local if you are buying food- check out the local farmers markets. If none close buy organic and support organic farmers and the local economy. Keep those pesticides out of our water.
6. Go Native Plants. Reducing the amount of grass in your lawn by planting native shrubs and flower beds will provide a better habitat for birds and other wildlife and require far less water and fertilizer, which can seep into the oceans.
7. Keep beaches clean. When visiting the beach, stay off fragile sand dunes, take your trash with you and leave plants, birds and wildlife for everyone to enjoy. Pick up trash and deposit in appropriate container.
8. Don’t buy coral when you are shopping. Keep our coral reefs intact by refusing to support coral reef miners.
9. Get rid of the styrofoam- it breaks up and the birds and fish eat it.
10. Treat oceans with the respect they deserve, they are important to everyone’s survival.