Action

How Can We Help Stop This?

Volunteering at Ocean Clean-Ups

• If you want to help stop/lessen the problem of pollution, then volunteer at ocean clean-ups with your friends/family. Volunteering is a great way to help stop a problem in your local community which spreads throughout the whole world. 
• https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/

           

Create a Club/Group to Help the Cause

This is a sticker created by Elise McCarthy '20

• Creating a club/interest group to help stop pollution of the earth is another great idea. Gathering more people who care about ocean life as much as you do is an amazing thing because you will all do whatever you can to help stop this problem. The clubs/interest groups can create stickers, wristbands, posters, and etc. to spread awareness to stop and lessen this problem. 

Reduce the Use of Single-Use Plastics

• Wherever you live, the easiest and most direct way that you can get started is by reducing your own use of single-use plastics. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, water bottles, straws, cups, utensils, dry cleaning bags, take-out containers, and any other plastic items that are used once and then discarded.

Recycle Properly

• This should go without saying, but when you use single-use (and other) plastics that can be recycled, always be sure to recycle them. At present, just 9% of plastic is recycled worldwide. Recycling helps keep plastics out of the ocean and reduces the amount of “new” plastic in circulation. If you need help finding a place to recycle plastic waste near you, check Earth911’s recycling directory.

Support Bans

Many municipalities around the world have enacted bans on single-use plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. You can support the adoption of such policies in your community by taking a stand for the bans and doing everything you can to spread and follow it. 

Avoid Products that Include Microbeads.

• Tiny plastic particles, called “microbeads,” have become a growing source of ocean plastic pollution in recent years. Microbeads are found in some face scrubs, toothpaste, and body washes, and they readily enter our oceans and waterways through our sewer systems, and affect hundreds of marine species. Avoid products containing plastic microbeads by looking for “polyethylene” and “polypropylene” on the ingredient labels of your cosmetic products

Talk to Someone with Higher Power about the problem 

• If you feel the need that this problem deserves more attention, then going to someone in a higher power, like the mayor of your city, will also help a lot. It makes them aware of the problem and that many people also really care out it, hoping it would make them try and do something to raise even more awareness.