World Ocean Day: What It Is And Everything You Can Do In Malta
Every living being on earth depends on the ocean – so it’s high time we respect it right?
World Ocean Day was first proposed by Canada in 1992, at the earth summit in Rio, and is now celebrated annually on 8th June.
The sea feeds us, regulates our climate, and produces most of the oxygen we breathe – it’s important to highlight how crucial the water which covers 70% of our planet’s surface is.
At least half of the planet’s oxygen comes from the ocean, and it absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by human beings, greatly reducing the effects of global warming.
But the oceans need our help – and although it’s easy to feel helpless when one hears of overfishing, pollution, and climate change, there are still a few little things you can do.
Here are 5 things you can do to help save the blues:
1. Attend a beach clean-up
A seabed and onshore cleanup is happening this Saturday in Malta. Although led by divers, anyone is encouraged to attend. The cleanup will start at 10am and finish at 1pm, at Tal-Fekruna. Refreshments will be offered right after at Beachaven.
Find more information on the event here.
2. Eat more ocean-friendly food
This means eating less fish, or only eating that which is sourced from well-managed, wild fisheries. It may be difficult to figure out which seafood is sustainable and healthy, so your best bet is to skip the seafood altogether.
3. Reduce your carbon footprint
Carbon dioxide makes the ocean more acidic, which leads to the death of a lot of our coral reefs, this is due to their calcium skeleton getting weaker.
You can reduce your carbon footprint by using a bike instead of a car, using less electricity, and changing your diet to a more sustainable one by checking the label.
4. Skip single-use plastics
Items such as non-reusable plastic bottles, take-out packaging, plastic bags, and straws, pollute our oceans and can destroy ecosystems and marine life.
Try opting for products made from more sustainable materials.
5. Keep yourself informed
The more you learn about the ocean, the greater your desire to save it will be. Gather your family or friends and watch a documentary, or go explore the sea through diving, snorkeling, or simply by visiting rivers and beaches.
You can also visit Malta’s National Aquarium this coming weekend, where lots of events will take place to celebrate World Ocean Day. Find more information here.
Tag someone who would be interested in doing any of the above
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