Happy World Oceans Day
Crystal Cove Curl, Crystal Cove State Beach, Orange County, Ryan Chadwick
Happy World Oceans Day – June 8!
The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected. The ocean sustains life on Earth and humans must live in ways that sustain the ocean. Individual and collective actions are needed to effectively manage ocean resources for all. Everyone is responsible for caring for the ocean.
Today, celebrate our oceans and waterways and make a bigger commitment to protect our environment.
- Reduce waste. Use Less Stuff and Make Careful Consumer Choices.
- Switch to reusable products and products made from recycled materials with little or no packaging. Simple example: Refuse plastic straws and stirrers, use compostable or pasta stirrers.
- Refuse disposables, reduce, reuse and recycle (in that order) at home, work and school. Invest in reusable coffee mugs and water bottles and encourage your friends to use them every day in place of disposable cups.
- Refuse the use of disposable plastic. Implement a No-Plastic rule at home, at your office, at events and parties.
- Seek out products with minimal packaging and avoid products with excessive packaging. For instance, avoid individual servings in favor of larger packages and bulk foods.
- Avoid personal care products containing microbeads. If it doesn't say so on the front of the package, you can look for plastic listed in the ingredients. Look for polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or polymethyl methacrylate.
- Switch to reusable products and products made from recycled materials with little or no packaging. Simple example: Refuse plastic straws and stirrers, use compostable or pasta stirrers.
- Conserve water. By using less water, excess run off and wastewater will not flow into the ocean.
- Use alternatives for less toxic cleaning products.
- Choose environmentally sustainable seafood. Remember your choices have an impact on the health of the ocean.
- Recycle your fishing line and properly dispose of nets and hooks.
- Take public transportation, bike, or walk instead of driving.
- Protecting the environment and safely recreating in the outdoors go hand in hand. Commit to implement clean and safe boating practices:
- Always carry oil absorbents on board and in your bilge to prevent oily discharges, and to prevent fuel spills use fuel bibs. Dispose of them as a hazardous waste at your County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. For locations check your browser or visit earth911.com. For a Free California Boater Kit with all this clean and safe boating information click here.
- Identify the nearest pollution prevention services near you. For participating sewage, dump stations and floating restrooms download the complimentary Pumpout Nav App.
- Always wear a life jacket while boating.
- Ensure you have the right safety equipment on board. Visit boatcalifornia.com for more boating safety tips.
- Take a safe boating course and getting your California Boater Card. More information at CaliforniaBoaterCard.com.
- Always carry oil absorbents on board and in your bilge to prevent oily discharges, and to prevent fuel spills use fuel bibs. Dispose of them as a hazardous waste at your County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. For locations check your browser or visit earth911.com. For a Free California Boater Kit with all this clean and safe boating information click here.
- Become a leader. Encourage your friends to adopt “green” habits.
- And ...repeat.