SAVE THE OCEANS FROM POLLUTION & OTHER THREATS

The oceans of the world are in grave danger. They are being polluted at an alarming rate with way too much plastic and other harmful products. Humanity’s survival is at stake- unless we act now and prevent a global environmental catastrophe- within two generations the oceans will collapse- hence humanity would not be able to survive because the oceans are the biggest and most important source of life (water, food, oxygen, etc.). I assure you that I’m not exaggerating. In fact, I have researched this issue for a year now. I am not a scientist, I’m a public school teacher who cares for our environment.

Marine biologists estimates that the world's oceans could collapse within two generations- unless, of course if we act quickly boldly and effectively, and prevent this global threat to our survival. We have to prevent, and/or at least reduce the amount of plastic and other harmful products and trash that reach our oceans. This lethal mix, that is poisoning the oceans, is made up of our plastics bags, water bottles, plastic cups, plastic silverware, straws, coffee lids, stirrers, cigarette lighters, and many more! The main culprits are also; discarded fishing nets, CO2 emissions (smog, air pollution from cars/factories), pesticides and herbicides (that are used by farmers to increase/protect food crops), toothpaste and even women's cosmetics (e.g., face rubs). These items are contaminating and killing ocean's life.

Let me present you one paragraph, about the extent of this crisis, from one of my sources, the Ocean Conservancy (an environmental organization that protects the oceans).

“Every year 8 million pounds of plastic ends up in our ocean. Seals get caught in discarded (thrown away) fishing gear and die trying to free themselves. Dolphins and turtles mistake plastic bags for their next meal and die eating them. Fish ingest (eat) deflated (no air) balloons and choke to death (can’t breathe). Ocean Conservancy believes (I do too- and I hope that you will too) that it doesn’t’need to be this way. If we take action now, we can reduce plastic in the ocean by 45%, saving ocean life, making our ocean cleaner and our earth healthier. Over fishing, pollution and habitat fragmentation are wearing down the health of our oceans. Add to that ocean acidification—a process caused by increased carbon emissions (smog, pollution) that can degrade coral reefs and corrode the shells of sea creatures—and warming, and it's not surprising that ocean ecosystems are rapidly collapsing.” (Source: https://takeaction.oceanconservancy.org/ea-action/action)

SIX SUGGESTIONS, that can be implemented in the meantime; (after you sign my petition), and/or any other petitions that aim at protecting the oceans and our environment;

First, let’s educate ourselves, our children/students, our families, our friends and our co-workers- about the importance of keeping our planet free of plastic pollution, discarded fishing nets, and other harmful products. Therefore, it is essential that we lead by example, by recycling and following the 4Rs ourselves (Recycle, Reduce, Reuse and Refuse). We must begin in our homes, then in our schools and our work places. In so doing we'll begin a positive change- yes because we need a sea of change! One that will drastically reduce the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans. This, of course, can only happen if we all work together diligently. However, this usually happens only after we educate ourselves- once we see the extent of the damage. In fact, most people will react in a positive/effective way. At any rate, one simple way to educate ourselves (if we don't like to read) is to watch documentaries (about the problem of ocean plastic pollution). Let me suggest the two that I have watched. The first one was: PLASTIC PARADISE - THE GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH. And the most recent one is: A PLASTIC OCEAN. You can watch both trailers (short clips) of the 2nd one when you visit CARE2 to sign my petition, or you can also see them on You Tube. If you’d like to have them you can purchase them on Amazon.  You won't regret it. They're great films! They're interesting, informative and eye/mind opening. A PLASTIC OCEAN is my favorite one, because it offers hope. I believe it's the more recent of the two. In fact, after watching g this film, I finally understood why we often see whales dying on beaches worldwide - they ingested (ate) plastic! As a matter of fact, you will see one such depressing event in this documentary (created by a famous journalist and an Olympic diver). Then, like me you will ask yourself this question: Why do news report, about these dying whales, always say this phrase at the end? "SCIENTISTS DON'T KNOW WHY THESE WHALES DIED." They don’t know? Or they don’t want to tell us, as not to upset the plastic business! But this is a conclusion that I leave up to you. However, it seems obvious to me, that whales and other marine animals, are dying because they are getting sick and tired of the plastic! Don’t you think?

Second, we talk and/or must write to our local leaders, in our towns/villages, cities, and/or county levels, and also our political leaders in Congress and at the state. And inform them of the dangers of ocean plastic pollution, discarded fishing nets and ocean acidification. We must ask them to take action to protect our environment, and especially our oceans, since they are a major source of life for our planet and for humanity. Oceans are a source of life, they give us water, oxygen, food, salt, etc.

Third, governments should begin to RECOGNIZE/REWARD businesses and other public entities, like; schools, museums, food establishments (restaurants, cafes, cafeterias), hotels, hospitals, prisons, farms, and other government organizations that voluntarily reduce the use of pollutants (products that harm the environment). Therefore, organizations that voluntarily follow the 4Rs, and use biodegradable/natural products, should be declared environmentally friendly, or ECO-FRIENDLY. And should be given recognition, in the form of free publicly and financial rewards (e.g., tax reductions, grants etc.).

Fourth, governments must support and finance recycling businesses/plants and/or research that aims at solving the plastic pollution problem. Europe did- they have designed an ocean clean up prototype that will be deployed into the Pacific Ocean within several years. For more info on this project, visit You Tube and search for The Ocean Clean Up Project, and/or Boyan Slat, the young engineer who designed it.  To see the You Tube video, click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du5d5PUrH0I&t=22s

Fifth, governments should also regulate the plastic industry, the 3rd largest industry in the USA. Regulation will motivate this industry to find ways and alternatives to plastic products, and also finding ways of controlling/managing its plastic pollution. Why? Because this industry makes plastic; therefore it should be mainly responsible for its safe disposal (as to stop it from reaching and contaminating the oceans and other bodies of water).

Sixth, demand that our governments, at the local, State and/or federal levels, declare all throw away, or single-use, and/or use-only-once plastic as hazardous waste! This would force the plastic industry to properly dispose of plastic, instead of polluting our oceans. 

I hope that you too, will work to save our oceans and our planet! Do it for our children! Do it out of love! THANK YOU!

Ottavio Lo Piccolo, ENL teacher, environmental and social justice activist

You may contact me at ottaviolopiccolo5@gmail.com    

or by phone, at home (518) 370-4476