#beatpollution

[mad-as-a-marine-biologist]

A front-row seat to ocean pollution

Ocean pollution is continuing to make waves as the world come to grips with scale of the plastic pollution problem.

My latest article for the UN Environment. If you’ve ever been diving you know that the issue of marine debris is more than meets the eye. Divers are on the front line and are key to the solution to #BeatPlasticPollution! 

[alelisblossom-blog]

Noch bis Mittwoch unterzeichnen!! https://www.campact.de/plastikmuell/appell/ #noplastics #lessplastic #nomicroplastics #safetheplanet #safetheocean #campact #beatpollution #cleanseas #environment #safewater

[mad-as-a-marine-biologist]

F**k Plastic. Really. No, really. Apologies for the swearing but I feel like it’s warranted. Today I wrote an article about the potential of the diving industry to be a role model private sector to taking concrete actions to reduce their plastic footprint and lead the charge in what feels like a turning of tide in global opinion of plastic. 

It reminded me of the changes I’ve seen since I started diving in 2001. How a plastic bag here or there turned into hour-long clean up dives, finding nappies and sanitary napkins, straws and plastic bottles that are used once and scar the Earth forever. And so much of it is under the sea - out of sight and out of mind for most of us. 

We’ve all seen the straw in the turtle’s nose, the seahorse wrapped around a cotton bud, the fish that grew around a six-pack ring, and been disgusted. I urge you to take a minute and consider your actions as a consumer - the effort it takes to refuse a straw (it takes practice but I promise you can make it a habit) is far far less than the number of centuries it will take for that straw to disappear from the planet. 

The photos are of a volunteer from Zoox on a clean up dive we did. This Trumpetfish was entangled in a (plastic) fishing net. It took over 10 minutes to free it, and you can see the scars it caused. If you don’t live near the ocean, there isn’t much you can do about ghost fishing (except learn about it, spread the word) but you can refuse straws, bring your own coffee tumblrs and shopping bags. And if you forget them (as I often do), don’t beat yourself up too much. Just keep trying, so they can keep swimming 😉

Some helpful resources to get you started:

https://mylittleplasticfootprint.org/

http://www.beatthemicrobead.org/

http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

https://www.plasticoceans.org/

[mad-as-a-marine-biologist]

Sea salt around the world is contaminated by plastic, studies show

Exclusive: New studies find microplastics in salt from the US, Europe and China, adding to evidence that plastic pollution is pervasive in the environment

Please (don’t) pass the salt...

[sunburnsolar]

Take the first step towards solar power - contact us now for a free consultation. Visit: https://www.sunburnsolar.com.au/

[humanitypost]

Each year 9 million people die ☠️ prematurely because of pollution? Pollution affects our health through the food we eat 🍏, the water we drink 💧and the air we breathe 🌬️. This is one of the triple planetary crises we face. UNEP and its partners work with governments to tackle this environmental challenge at local and national levels. What actions are you taking to #BeatPollution? @unep #ForNature https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce1S8q1Pvdf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[manishdarandalepatil]

Reposted from @unep The Mississippi River is rich in biodiversity, supporting a wide range of plants & animals, as well as people’s livelihoods. ⠀ ⠀ But it is threatened: as the drainage system for 40% of the United States, plastic litter easily travels through the river system, eventually making its way to the ocean.⠀ ⠀ Mayors, scientists and citizens along the river are working together to #BeatPollution. Individuals can take part by collecting data with the free @DebrisTracker! ⠀ ⠀ We're collaborating with @insidenatgeo, @NatGeoEducation, @mrcti1520, @universityofga on this for #CleanSeas🌊 - join us.⠀ ⠀ #BeatPlasticPollution #ActNow #TheEnvironmentalBoy https://www.instagram.com/p/CMHvbpOnbqj/?igshid=h8arsinp7dzq

[manishdarandalepatil]

The scourge of air pollution affects 9 out of 10 people worldwide. To help #ClearTheAir we need safe and affordable public transport systems and pedestrian and cycle-friendly networks. CC @unep #BeatPollution #BeatAirPollution #TheEnvironmentalBoy https://www.instagram.com/p/CGmd2ZDFU5B/?igshid=18ifcl01ty63l