SAVE OUR OCEANS ༄

Everyone says that the ocean is their second home, but did you know that the true homeowners of our oceans are drastically at risk of losing their one and only home? Us Australians  are all connected by our oceans and surrounded by beautiful coastlines that are home to an array of marine life that are increasingly going under threat. Our oceans remain one of the most vast and diverse places on our planet and as we have learned, it is vulnerable to something as simple as the human touch. Ocean pollution is affecting more than 817 animal species, a figure that continues to rise yearly.  We desperately need to reclaim our oceans to be litter-free, pollution-free and free for all marine life to live harmlessly. The main reason for such destruction to our oceans is because of ocean pollution, a mixture of both chemical contamination and litter. The second cause is ocean mining,a disruption to our ecosystem contributing excessively to ocean pollution. Lastly, we can still save our beautiful oceans! By reducing our littering, plastic waste, and sign petitions for ocean mining to come to a complete END before it is too late!

The main cause of our oceans transforming from such lush and beautiful water ways to ruins of trash and chemical spills is ocean pollution. Over 1,000 species of marine life are impacted by ocean pollution resulting in over 500 locations recorded as dead zones where marine life can no longer exist. Our marine life is at risk more than ever with losing their homes simply from the fact that species are surrounded by a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. This pollution has many effects and doesn’t just affect our marine life but also damages the environment, affects the health of all organisms, and affects economic structures worldwide. The increased concentration of chemicals, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in the coastal ocean enables the growth of algal blooms, which can be toxic to wildlife and harmful to humans. Would you rather our oceans be filled with fresh seawater or oceans filled with toxic chemicals?

Us humans are constantly conducting an act of deep-sea mining meaning we are a main cause of the destruction of our oceans. The consequences of ocean mining are disastrous for our oceans and planet. As giant machines dig and dredge up the ocean floor, this sends up clouds of sediment that smothers marine life. These machines also generate noise pollution that spreads through the ocean for hundreds of kilometers, disrupting life in the ocean. These effects are causing such horrific circumstances to our marine life, so why is it that we keep causing these permanent damages that drastically further hinder the ecosystem of our ocean regions. Health to the ocean means health for us." - Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer. This quote states that if we reciprocate health to our oceans just like we do for ourselves it won’t just benefit marine life but also us humans. Sign this petition if you are want ocean mining to come an immediate end! Web Filter Block Override (change.org)

Soon our oceans will be home to no one! Action must be taken now! Ways that we can keep our oceans free for all marine life to feel secure, is by reducing the amount of littering. 46% of all reported rubbish found nationally was in waterways including beaches, rivers and ocean ways. What can we do? Reduce your carbon footprint. Carbon dioxide, a known greenhouse gas, is making our oceans more acidic. This contributes to the loss of corals on a global scale as their calcium skeletons are weakened by the increasing acidity of the water. Ways which we can reduce our carbon footprint is by adopting some of these simple measures. Ride a bike, walk or use public transportation rather than driving a car. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Put on a sweater in the winter instead of turning up your thermostat. Simple things that we can do as humans to help save our oceans. Try using plastic-free alternatives. An estimated 17.6 billion pounds of plastic leaks into the marine environment from land-based sources every year,that’s roughly equivalent to dumping a garbage truck full of plastic into our oceans...every minute.

“Looking out at the ocean, it’s easy to feel small- and to imagine all your troubles, suddenly insignificant, slipping away. Earth’s seven oceans seem vast and impenetrable, but a closer look tells another story -Ted Danson. It’s time for this necessary action to be taken! It’s time we make these crucial adjustments. It’s time we make our oceans home to these marine species and enable them to live in a harmonious environment. Reduce your carbon footprint, sign these petitions for ocean mining to come to an end and most importantly protect our marine life. With our simple human touch, we can help conserve our oceans. If you are willing to make this critical change now join the Australian Marine Conservation society where you are able to sign up, donate and explore the matter in a deeper context.  Australian Marine Conservation Society | Protecting Australia's Oceans