Waste Reduction and Recycling

The Impact of Plastic Waste on Marine Life and How We Can Reduce It

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Plastic waste has become a ubiquitous and alarming problem for our planet, with an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year. This plastic waste is not only unsightly and harmful to human health but is also causing significant damage to marine life. In this article, we will examine the impact of plastic waste on marine life and discuss ways in which we can reduce its impact.

The Impact of Plastic on Marine Life

Marine life, from the smallest plankton to the largest whales, is affected by plastic waste. It is estimated that at least 700 marine species are affected by plastic pollution. Fish, turtles, and seabirds often mistake plastic for food and ingest it, which can lead to starvation, dehydration, and even death. Moreover, plastic waste can entangle marine animals, causing severe injuries and impairing their ability to move and find food.

The presence of plastic waste in the ocean can also have wider ecological impacts. As plastic materials break down, they release toxic chemicals into the water, which can accumulate in the tissues of marine animals and ultimately, find their way up the food chain. The presence of plastic waste also damages the natural habitats of marine life, which can lead to disruptions in entire ecosystems.

How We Can Reduce the Impact of Plastic Waste on Marine Life

Reducing the impact of plastic waste on marine life requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society, from individuals to governments and corporations. Here are some ways in which we can make a difference:

1. Reduce Plastic Consumption

Reducing plastic consumption is one of the most effective ways to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean. Individuals can make a difference by refusing single-use plastics such as straws, shopping bags, and water bottles. Instead, we can opt for reusable alternatives made from sustainable materials such as glass, metal, and cloth.

2. Properly Dispose of Plastic Waste

Properly disposing of plastic waste is crucial to prevent it from ending up in the ocean. Governments and municipalities can help by implementing effective waste management systems that prioritize recycling and reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.

3. Support Policy Change

Individuals can also support policy changes that help reduce plastic pollution. This includes advocating for legislation that restricts single-use plastic production and distribution, encourages corporate responsibility, and promotes sustainable alternatives.

4. Support Organizations and Initiatives

There are many organizations and initiatives working to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine life. By supporting these organizations through donations or volunteer work, we can help accelerate change and create a better future for our planet.

Conclusion

The impact of plastic waste on marine life is severe and far-reaching. However, there are actions we can take to reduce its impact. By reducing plastic consumption, properly disposing of plastic waste, supporting policy change, and supporting organizations and initiatives, we can create a sustainable future for our planet and the marine life that inhabits it.

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Happy Earth Day

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Happy Earth Day, everyone! Even though every day is Earth Day, it’s nice to take one day of each year to formally recognize how wonderful and sacred our planet is.

A Quick History of Earth Day

The background of Earth Day maintains the first occasion occurred on April 22, 1970, with 20 million participants around the globe. That amount has since grown to more than 500 Million, with the involvement of several states and several national governments. And maybe what created even more influence than these well-known demonstrations, combined with the “teach ins” and cleaning of a great number of places across the nation by the roughly 20 million individuals participating that first historic occasion, was the bi-partisan political activity which followed.

These pupil leaders earnestly campaigned against the specific legislators, perhaps not only keeping letter-creating campaigns, but also strolling the precincts where the voters were who held the power. To estimate Mr. McClosky, “That simply had an enormous result. The surroundings had proved it could provide votes.”

When Senator Gaylord Nelson was initially elected to office in 1962, he had been profoundly concerned by the reality the surroundings had not been on any political agenda, even though regular citizens were increasingly alert to the upsetting effects that issues including pollution were wearing the atmosphere and human wellbeing.

Till Senator Nelson encouraged individuals from all walks of existence in 1969 to join him the subsequent year into a grassroots protest raising consciousness about environmental problems, this environmental problem remained on the back-burner for seven years, creating the background of Earth Day that significantly more powerful.

The reply was intensely overpowering. Rallies were held across the country, and by time the Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) ran a survey in 1971, a total 25% suggested that protecting the ecosystem was an important target to them.

March 21, 1970 was also declared by Bay Area Mayor Joseph Alioto as Global Earth Day, observed on the March equinox, which will drop around March 20. The detailed creator is John McConnell.

Earth Day 1970 started the environmental motion across the region and past, by utilizing the vigor and excitement of university students. In 2003, former Congressman Pete McCloskey, cosponsor of that first Earth Day, sees the demand to do everything over again. He was recruited as an uncommon, like minded Republican to cosponsor the occasion in Congress.

The Earth Day Community is now under its Canopy Task, found 1 Million trees put in 2010, with over 50-Million for 2011, and is the organizing group for the motion. The Billion Actions of Eco-Friendly effort is nonetheless continuing.

Whatever the beginnings of Earth Day might be, the most outstanding fact about that worldwide occasion is that it somehow managed to arrange itself.

Fun Facts About Our Planet

Here’s a few fun facts about our planet from Slate. Enjoy!

Earth Day Games and Activities

Want to get the kids to put down their iPads and stop playing Flappy Bird and Boom Beach? You can reconnect with character through many non-screen activities for both kids and grown-ups:

  • Set aside some time for a regular walk or run.
  • Maintain a nature diary or journal.
  • Create a modest organic garden and put some veg.
  • Plant or embrace a tree.
  • Study in detail a localized eco system such as for instance a vintage log or a pond.
  • Notice the information on an everyday item in nature.
  • Experience the beauty of nature by emphasizing different senses.
  • Listen quietly to nature and write out what you hear.
  • Draw or paint graphics of a landscape or things in nature.
  • Scour for patterns in natures (like fractals, the golden ratio and Fibonacci numbers).
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

Organic Composting at Home

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Organic composting is nature’s way of recycling. Composting has 4 main benefits;

Composting helps in conserving resources

  • Water – composting soaks up water and releases it slowly to plants. This way, if you have plants around your compost then you won’t need to water as much. Furthermore, compost when used as manure, has some of the advantages of mulching; it prevents the water beneath from evaporating.
  • Organic composting at home spares you the agony of having to transport manure to your farms. Organic composts contain a lot of water and are thus very heavy, when they are prepared and used within the farm, you will save on fuel and energy.

Compost with Cat

Composting reduces waste

Statistics show that organic waste makes up between 25% and 50% of waste that people throw away. It is never possible to recycle all organic waste, however, composting gives you the chance to significantly cut down on the trash.

Benefits to plants and gardens

Composts increase organic matter in the soil, improve aeration and drainage in clay soils, helps to balance the PH of soil, moderates soil temperature and play a part in controlling soil erosion. Compost also improves water retention in sandy soils and help plants absorb nutrients already in the soil, that is not to mention that compost also adds a number of nutrients to the soil.

Save on costs

When you use compost manure, your need for water, fertilizers and pesticides are significantly reduced. It is a low-cost alternative to standard land filling cover and a less costly alternative to cleaning (re-mediating) contaminated soil.

How to make your own compost

  • The first step is to identify a site for the compost bin. The selected spot should be a warm area over the grass or soil with good drainage.
  • Next up, you are required to buy a compost bin or make one; compost bins can easily be made from wooden pellets or used timber. Alternatively, you can build the heap and cover it with black polythene or a carpet.
  • When building the heap:
    1. Start with a layer of bark or dry grass.
    2. Secondly, add any soft green material; this provides the compost with nitrogen.
    3. Take care of the compost aeration
    4. The moisture level of the compost has to be kept at a fairly constant level; you can always add small quantities of water or leafy material to raise the moisture levels.
    5. Use as many ingredients as possible; however, ensure that the compost is not too compact.
    6. Turn the heap at regular intervals to mix the contents. This also improves air circulation.

Composts take a few months to a whole year before they are ready.

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Earth Day is Approaching

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This Sunday, April 22 2012 will be Earth Day, a great time to celebrate our planet and reflect on the things we should be doing to keep making it a beautiful and sustainable place to live.

This will be the 43rd Earth Day (the first was held on April 22 1970) and many different events are planned for the weekend. For a brief overview, visit the official Earth Day site at EarthDay.org. What are you planning on doing this Earth Day to reflect on the state of the environment?

One of the really inspiring projects on the site is The Canopy Project which is an effort to radically increase tree coverage on the planet through the planting of one billion trees. The project focuses on geographic areas where reforestation is desperately needed, but anyone can do their part to help simply by planting a tree. Remember, Earth Day is all about awareness and the simple act of planting a tree can help reinforce the message and is a great teaching tool for children.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Teaching Kids About Recycling in a Fun Way

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It’s important to teach kids about the values around sustainability and recycling. Kids learn a lot about the basics in school nowadays, but the best practices are learned and reinforced at home as well. In addition to recycling, conservation is probably the best lesson kids can learn at home.

Here’s a reader submission from one woman who lets her kids learn through video games.

My 9-year old son is a huge fan of Poptropica and last year on Earth Day, they had a special mini-quest all about conservation in the home called, Don’t Be an Energy Hog [editor: video included below–check it out!] I sat with him while he played the game and learned about how much a difference simple conversation at home can make. Afterwards, we took the time to walk through our own house and identify better ways to conserve energy. He even made a list so that we’d remember to do things like turn off the lights, lower the thermostat and more. He even made a shopping list of items for us to get to better manage our energy consumption at home. I’m so proud of him!

Take Time to be Environmentally Responsible.