WORLD OCEAN DAY 2021
Why isn’t World Ocean Day everyday? Why does it have to be one day of the year?
In New Zealand and Fiji, we are surrounded by the ocean. Everyone has memories of going to the ocean. It is a huge part of our lifestyles.
The ocean is an important part of our ecosystem. It absorbs over 50% more carbon dioxide than the atmosphere and produces over 50% of the oxygen we breathe. The ocean also absorbs 90% of the heat humans produce, along with providing humans with food and water, it supports the economy and helps regulate the weather patterns. If we didn’t have the ocean, we wouldn’t be here now.
However, in spite of all of the things the ocean does for us, we aren’t repaying the service by taking care of it.
At the current rate, plastic production is increasing and by 2030, we will be producing 1.34 gigatons of carbon dioxide each year. To put this into perspective, you could fly from Auckland to Los Angeles on a Boeing 787, 5.2 million times before producing the same amount of carbon dioxide. Not only is plastic producing a lot of carbon dioxide, which puts more effort on the ocean, the majority of the plastic ends up going into the ocean. This plastic is starting to slow down how much carbon dioxide the ocean can absorb. Currently I am in the Fiji Islands. Our plastic impact is very evident. You cannot go for a swim in Fiji without seeing pieces of plastic everywhere. Last weekend we gather two huge bags of plastic off the beach in less than 15 minutes. It made a small difference, but it didn’t make a dent in the amount that was there.
Sailing in New Zealand and Fiji has only further increased my awareness of the impact of plastic production on our ocean environment. Being on and in the ocean makes you extremely aware of the impact we humans make. It has made me determined to make a difference. The oceans are rising 3.6 mm each year, only to be accelerated by the actions of humans. We know actions by our big industrial companies are creating a problem. However, seeing in person what these actions are doing, with all of the low lying land along with the plastic pollution, has made me think about my actions and actions of others around me. Isn’t it time we started addressing unnecessary plastic production, rather than trying to clean up the mess? If plastic production is increasing, we are just going to have even more mess to clean up. It is time to slow down plastic production. We need to work on the producers using alternatives, instead giving the responsibility to the consumers to figure out how to deal with cleaning it all up. There are positive alternatives and we can use our voices and our choices in a positive way.
We know there is a climate crisis and a plastic epidemic. Instead of dwelling on the issues and calling out everyone who is doing it wrong, why don’t we start calling out and supporting everyone who is making a positive effort, impact and difference (not matter how big or small). Since I have been researching for upcoming projects, I have found multiple individuals, businesses and companies who are creating amazing initiatives and alternatives to plastic. More on this later, but in the meantime, check out the following organisation and businesses that are dedicated to raising awareness, educating and offering positive alternatives to plastic.
Live Ocean, Jolyn Swimwear, Innocent Packaging.
We have a year until June 8th 2022 to see how much of a difference we can make next World Ocean Day. It would be cool if next year’s World Ocean Day we celebrated the big and small achievements that have been made over the course of the year. Anyone, could do anything, at anytime and it will make a difference.
“Dream big, start small, act now.” - Robin Sharma
We just need to start, even if it is small. Whatever you start with does not have to be perfect: progress over perfection. There is no action that is too small, but starting today, is one day closer to help combat the climate crisis and the plastic epidemic. Let’s make World Ocean Day everyday.
What small act could you make? Who could you support? Who could you inspire? How could you use your voice or your choice in a positive way between now and the next World Ocean Day 2022? The clock is ticking…