Rubbish Is Ruining Our World!

Plastic and Other Rubbish!

entangled monk seal
photo courtesy of HWF

Did you know that the fish we consume from the Ocean are contaminated with toxins because of plastic and other trash the human tosses?  How often do you notice rubbish strewn along roadways and water ways?  This is a very serious problem. In today's society we have all things plastic - water bottles, food containers and packaging.  Then there is all the plastic that covers every item we buy.  We recycle right?  I do but I had no clue of the impact my consumerism has on animals, the environment and even my family until I started to really research.  I am an Earth Day advocate, a yogi who believes wholeheartedly that we should all be aware of what we consume and how it affects the earth and all those who reside here.  What I found horrifying is data from a study by Chelsea Rochwan, a post doctorate researcher at UC Davis. The data indicates the following; in 2009, the National Academy of Sciences estimated that around 6.4 million tons of litter enters the world’s oceans annually.  Imagine in 2015 what that number is! How many of us love the serene beauty of a coastline?  We find peace and tranquility from the ocean breeze combined with the lovely sound of the sea dancing on the shore, yet we are the biggest contributors to the demise of these glorious beaches.  

Plastic Marine Debris
photo courtesy of HWF

"In the ocean waters between Hawaii and Japan is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, filled with plastic, chemical sludge and other debris that has been trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Ocean’s gyre. The patch, covers an area the size of Turkey" according to Greenpeace International "We humans are entirely responsible for this mess."  

This in itself should be a huge wake up call for any human who enjoys the beauty of nature and our environment yet there is no stopping the plastic and other trash that permeates the earth.  What a tragedy it is that boys and girls cannot play, swim or surf in the water off the Los Angeles coast because of the water pollution.  When did human consumption and laziness replace all forms of common sense?  We all have an obligation to our earth yet we continue to use plastic because it is easier.  The effects of plastic toxicity on our bodies and those of our children is another factor in all of this. Think about this; when plastic particles begin to decompose into the ocean, small organisms mistakenly eat them. Small fish then consume these small organisms. This is how toxins enter the food chain.   Other animals also consume trash and plastic.  This is a scary fact, yet everyday, we see water bottles floating in the sea or strewn along every roadway and waterway in America.  

In Bellbrook, Ohio the rubbish problem is so bad that two ladies go on a daily walk and pick up trash along our roadways.  These lovely woman are seen routinely in different areas and never without a bag of garbage they have picked up from our lovely little town.  How sad is it that each day they will find trash along the very same route they traveled the day before.  What if everyone took the time to pick up trash and taught our children to also be aware and pick up garbage they see strewn around.  Bellbrook has a Sugar Maple Festival every April and the past several years have had a Recycling Art Show for children yet there is still an abundance of garbage polluting our lovely small City.  Thank goodness for those who do pick up after the inconsiderate masses who choose to litter.  I applaud these lovely ladies and I encourage everyone to consider switching from plastic.  It is a very difficult proposition because as consumers we use disposable plastic straws, cutlery, plates, cups, bottles, bags on a daily basis. Imagine if everyone decided to stop using these products and took the time to use non-disposable items.  What a difference that would make.  

I am certainly guilty of consumerism of plastic but reminding myself to reconsider what I use in my own home and not always take the easier less time consuming path is a good reality check. I do try to use biodegradable poop bags for picking up dog waste (another pet peeve of mine but that is better left for another time.) I will continue this trend but I warn you all biodegradable poop bags are not created equal. One particular little white version shrivels up as soon as the moist excrement hits it....not a pleasant experience for the human.  Choose wisely but do consider not only picking up your dog's waste but use a biodegradable bag to do it.  I will also be more prepared with all my cool little fabric bags for grocery store items that are tucked in all nooks and crannies of my vehicles.  Using less plastic in my meal plans is really a no-brainer because, who doesn't love a fun family meal with real plates, glasses and cutlery cooked with whole, non GMO foods and organic produce?  It is a lost art to sit down and discuss the goodness and blessings of the day without the crazy buzz of electronic interruptions and the rush of life.  

I am writing this to bring awareness of an epidemic that is leaving our world a polluted mess. That leaves our animals sick, injured or dead while also polluting our own bodies with toxins that we originally disgarded in the first place without thought of where they may end up. It has certainly been an eye opener for me and I will make every effort to continue to recycle but will also take the time to buy items that do not include plastic. The transition is not easy because we have all gotten used to a disposable world yet we should really head the mantra Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Re-purpose!  Our future and the future of our children, wildlife and pets depends on it! Consider making a small change today and pick up the rubbish left by others as well.  

What does all this have to do with Tau you ask? Tau will be running on the beaches of Maui and will be exposed to the garbage left by humans or the debris that washes up on the shores.  He will splash in the contaminated ocean and be exposed to toxins left behind.  He cannot pick up the rubbish on the shoreline for fear of him ingesting a poison, getting impaled on a fish hook or eating a piece of trash that could cause a foreign body obstruction.  The Hawaii Wildlife Fund statistics on debris clean up are staggering as well.  Take a moment to look at the suggestions they have for  10 things you can do to reduce marine debris.  Education is key and everyone of us can make a difference to make our planet a better one.