Much attention has been focused on the Gulf Coast since the April 20 explosion on a drilling rig that killed 11 people and sent millions of gallons of oil spewing into the ocean. The oil continues to flow and nobody can be certain what the long-term effects will be on our environment. How timely that next Tuesday, June 8 happens to be World Oceans Day, a date designated by the United Nations to celebrate the world’s oceans and our personal interactions with the sea. Having a day to create public awareness for the protection of the world’s oceans couldn’t have come at a better time.
Photo courtesy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium
It’s not just oil that threatens our water, birds and sea life. Most marine pollution is litter that starts out on land. The items we toss into our streets eventually make their way to the oceans. Take a look at the image above. It’s a snapshot of plastic items found in the stomach of a single albatross. Hard to believe, isn’t it? With examples such as this, World Oceans Day hopes to inspire the public to make some changes today that may help protect our ocean for the future.
Photo: Torrey Pines State Beach, La Jolla
Starting this weekend, activities will take place throughout California’s aquariums, beaches and schoolrooms to highlight the value of our ocean resources. There will be educational programs for kids, beach clean-ups, maritime festivals, and environmental presentations. Be kind to the sea. Do your part in your local community to keep our oceans clean and safe for generations to come. A list of World Oceans Day events is found here.
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