Did you know that 70% of the Earth is made up of water? What a beautiful world we live in! Each of us plays a part in saving our beaches and keeping the oceans clean. It’s easier than you think, and in this post, I’m sharing some easy ideas that make a big impact. Here’s a sneak peek: how to cut down on plastic, what not to flush down the toilet, and a few things to remember on your next beach trip.
In your daily life, how often do you think about the beach?
More often than not, when we think of the beach we’re daydreaming about an upcoming vacation. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! Being near the coast is definitely my happy place and I love walking along the beach, relaxing under an umbrella with a book, and watching the waves roll in.
How sad would it be if we didn’t have the beach to enjoy?
Why Should We Worry About Saving Our Beaches?
We have to take action if we want to enjoy the Earth’s coastal areas for years to come. Even though the beach might feel like just a vacation hot spot, it’s so much more. In coastal areas, the beach is a big part of the economy. Think of all the people that have jobs related to tourism – hotel staff, lifeguards, tour operators…. and so many more.
Beaches protect cities and towns from wind and waves and act as a buffer. They’re also a habitat for wildlife like sea birds, crabs, and seaweed and play a role in the ecosystem. Those adorable baby sea turtles? Beach pollution or erosion can really hurt their chances of a healthy life.
Why Is The Ocean So Important?
How we treat our beaches directly impacts the ocean too. Did you know that the ocean produces half of the earth’s oxygen? Plants like phytoplankton and kelp use carbon dioxide and sunlight to make oxygen that’s necessary for us to breathe.
The ocean also plays a big role in regulating climate and weather. Just like you might adjust your thermostat in your house to be more comfortable, the ocean balances the environment for us.
Similarly to beaches, the ocean also drives the economy through fishing, boating, tourism and ocean transport. Have you ever taken a cruise, boat tour, or rented jet skis? Those are just a few ways the ocean relates to industry. Not to mention it’s a food source for many people around the world (where are all my seafood lovers?)
How To Save Our Beaches
The good news is, there are simple ways to make an impact that aren’t costly or complicated. Here are some ways you can help save our beaches and keep the ocean clean:
Pick Up After Yourself (and pets)
This first one seems so obvious, but it’s a critical piece of saving our beaches. Simply put, pick up after yourself! Whatever you bring to the beach, take home with you. According to statistics, around 58 million people visit U.S. beaches every year – can you imagine if everyone just left one tiny gum wrapper behind? That would really add up to a lot of debris. And pet waste gets swept up the tides and can pollute the waters, kill fish, and result in bacteria growth.
Volunteer For A Beach Cleanup
Trash and debris ends up on the beach, sometimes even despite our best efforts to prevent it. A great way to get involved is to volunteer for a beach cleanup. It’s a really practical way to make an immediate change, and bring awareness to the issue. Beach cleanups happen in lots of places, including oceans and lakes. Want to volunteer? Here are a few resources to find a beach cleanup near you:
Don’t Disturb Marine Life
The beach isn’t just a great place to hang out, it’s home to a variety of marine life. And it’s important that we don’t disrupt their habitat by touching them, feeding them people food, or otherwise bothering them. This includes things like removing coral from the ocean or taking home seashells that could have a crab inside. So leave it at the beach!
Be Careful With Open Flames
Having a beach bonfire? A few tips to protect the beach are to know the local regulations and be sure the fire is completely extinguished after you leave. You’ll also want to completely clean up your site once you’re done to avoid any remains getting into the ocean.
Make Smart Seafood Choices
The ocean represents a major food source, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Overfishing is a problem, and there are also fish on the endangered species list. This all impacts the ocean because it disrupts the food chain and creates an imbalance. What we can do to help is to be knowledgable about which fish are ok to eat (and which are not). There are several great resources online and apps that can help.
Avoid Using Plastic
Plastic is one of the biggest problems facing the oceans today. Sadly, around 12.7 million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the ocean every year. Besides polluting the water and releasing toxic chemicals, plastic in the ocean kills marine life like dolphins and sea birds.
What we can do to make a difference is to avoid plastic as possible and stop using single-use/disposable items. Plastic isn’t biodegradable, so it lives forever in the ocean or in a landfill. Opt for glass, aluminum or other materials when possible.
Read The Labels
Perhaps an unexpected way to protect the ocean is to be smart about the health and beauty products you use. There are a few ingredients proven to be harmful to the ocean that you’ll want to know about. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are commonly found in sunscreen and damage coral reefs. Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic used in face and body scrubs that are toxic to marine life. Squalene is an ingredient found in moisturizing products that is gathered by killing sharks.
Other Ways To Contribute
Pretty easy so far right? Here are a few additional ways to keep our oceans and beaches clean (and encourage others to do the same!):
Support Businesses That Give Back
There are so many organizations, businesses, and charities that help raise awareness and donate money towards protecting the ocean. Be choosy about where you shop, and look for ways to give back. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Be Mindful of Souvenirs
It’s not uncommon to see tortoise-shell accessories, shark tooth jewelry and chunks of coral at souvenir shops. But all of those examples represent bad ethical practices when it comes to marine life and the oceans. There are so many other great souvenirs to take home, so skip these and buy something else.
What Can’t Go Down the Drain or Toilet
Things that go down the sink drain or toilet eventually end up in lakes, rivers, and the ocean. So make sure you dispose of them properly! Here are a few things not to flush or drain:
- medicine
- cotton balls
- floss
- contact lenses
- see the full list here
Educate Yourself
One of the best things you can do to save our beaches and protect the ocean is to stay informed. Sometimes all it takes is a little extra effort to make a smart choice. Here are a few resources if you want to learn more:
Let’s Save Our Beaches!
So that’s it! Not too hard, right? If we all do our part to help, we can make a big impact on our oceans and beaches. Here’s a quick summary of what to do:
- Pick up after yourself (and pets)
- Volunteer for a beach cleanup
- Don’t disturb marine life
- Be careful with open flames
- Make smart seafood choices
- Avoid using plastic
- Read the labels
- Support businesses that give back
- Be mindful of souvenirs
- Know what not to flush or rinse down the drain
- Educate yourself
