Saltwater oceans cover about 71% of the Earth\’s surface. Because we don\’t consume this water, we often forget that this ocean water is a precious resource. We ignore the need to conserve this resource as much as the Earth\’s other natural environments, such as the trees, air, Amazon rainforest, glaciers and the desert. People don\’t think about the consequences of destroying the Earth\’s oceans.

“The rolling of the sea across the planet creates over half our oxygen, drives weather systems and natural flows of energy and nutrients around the world, transports water masses many times greater than all the rivers on land combined, and keeps the Earth habitable. Without the global ocean there would be no life on Earth.” ~Greenpeace

“Coral reefs are made predominately of stony corals and supported by the limestone skeleton they excrete. These rainforests of the sea are home to a quarter of all marine fish species. In addition to the variety of marine life they support, coral reefs are also immensely beneficial to humans, buffeting coastal regions from strong waves and storms, providing millions of people with food and jobs and promoting advances in modern medicine.” ~Jennifer Horton, HowStuffWorks.com

Food. Jobs. Weather patterns. The inevitable leaching of toxins into the soil from the negligent dumping of waste and oil and gasoline into the ocean from the humans who populate less than 30% of the Earth\’s surface.

Let\’s pause for a moment to reflect on this. We live on less than 30% of the planet and we\’re outnumbered by pretty much every other living thing on Earth-plants, fish, marine mammals, land animals, birds, insects, reptiles. Yet, we humans are doing a thorough job in destroying the natural homes and habitat of all these other creatures. It seems that the human race has a misguided conviction that we have some kind of divine and superior right to encompass the Earth\’s surface and use up resources that can never be replaced.

“[It is] immoral to damage needlessly a remote and largely unknown assemblage of organisms-even if they are out-of-sight, out-of-mind, and apparently of little importance to the general ecological processes in the ocean-through negligent and ignorant abuse of the oceans.” ~Martin Angel, “Ocean Trench Conservation”, 1982

By Destroying the Oceans, We\’re Not Just Destroying Ourselves. We\’re Destroying Innocent Lives Too. The Question Is, What Are We Going to Do About It?

Yes, we need to talk about ocean conservation and get the issue out there. But if talking worked to solve the problem, then lobbyists and politicians would have solved it already. Action is also needed. Action is what will make a positive difference to the future of the Earth\’s oceans.

Greenpeace and organizations like them are taking great steps to promote ocean conservation, but they can\’t do this alone. Ordinary people like you and me also need to take responsibility for preserving our oceans. Here are some steps we can take:

1 Protest against waste and trash being dumped into the oceans. Oceans are self-managing ecosystems, but they can\’t do this with all the rubbish being poured into them each day.

2 Support areas that have been delegated for marine conservation. Make sure you keep away from protected nesting areas.

3 Reduce household pollutants, and use natural products where you can. Remember: What leaks into the soil eventually finds its way to our water supply.

4 Air pollution also affects the marine environment. So ride a bike or car share as much as possible to get around.

5 Avoid plastic products and go for paper ones where possible.

6 Reuse and recycle.

Take responsibility to keep the oceans healthy. The next generation is counting on you.

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Author Bio: If you appreciated the preceding piece, you are able to go look at additional comparable posts at Bruce Tulio or this Bruce Tulio Post.

Category: Society
Keywords: bruce tulio,conservation,clean oceans,oceans,polution,green