How ocean pollution affects humans – Graphic by the team at DIVE.in
What can I do to help?
What you do on land can change the fate of what goes on off shore – and small changes in habits can have a large impact on improving our oceans.
1. Keep your sewer drains clear
Prevent rubbish and chemicals from flowing into the sea. Keeping your property’s drains clear is your responsibility.
2. Dispose of products properly
Household cleaning products, batteries, paint and pesticides can threaten water quality.
3. Reuse and recycle
And opt for no packaging when possible. Carry a reusable water bottle, carry a cotton tote bag and recycle when possible.
4. Plant an organic garden
Pesticides from gardens and lawns can wash into the ocean.
5. Eat sustainably
Overfishing, loss of habitat and market demand has decreased fish populations. When shopping or dining out, choose seafood that is sustainably sourced.
6. Respect the beach
Take your rubbish with you after a day at the beach, and don’t remove rocks and coral.
7. Explore responsibly
Next time you’re off on a dive, cruise or kayak – be mindful of the marine life around you. Find some eco-friendly tours and packages that will respect the marine environment.
From sustenance, natural beauty to economics – the ocean provides plenty for the human race. Respect the ocean by keeping it clean for generations to come.
If you liked this you’ll also love our great infographic on 50 Amazing Facts About The Ocean
What’s worth saving if not our ocean?
If nothing else, this gives us some perspective regarding our role on Earth. We are treating our oceans like our own private junkyard dumping thousands and thousands of tonnes waist straight in – and what will the result be? More dead ocean areas, no more marine life or what? What do you think will become of our oceans and what can we do to stop this?
Notes
- Anderson, T.L. (2013). One world, one ocean, one mission. Earth Common Journal, 3(1).
- Andrews, G. (2013). Plastics in the ocean affecting human health. serc.carleton.edu
- Conserve Energy Future (2015). What is ocean pollution? conserve-energy-future.com
- Hanlon, P. (2012). Heavy metal fish: How mercury ends up on your plate. grist.org
- Jambeck, R.J. et al. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347 (13).
- MarineBio. (2015). Ocean pollution. marinebio.org
- Merkl, A. (2015). Ocean plastic is likely disappearing into the food chain, new study indicates. theguardian.com
- National Geographic. (2015). Save the plankton, breathe freely. education.nationalgeographic.co.uk
- National Geographic. (2015). Things you can do to save the ocean. ocean.nationalgeographic.com
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2015). Ocean. noaa.gov
- Thank You Ocean (2015). Water pollution. thankyouocean.org
- The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited. (2014). Oil tanker spill statistics 2014. itopf.com
- The World Counts. (2014). How does pollution affect humans. theworldcounts.com
- Water Pollution Guide. (2015). Marine dumping. water-pollution.org.uk
- United Nations. (2013). UN Convention on the Law of the Sea turns 30. un.org
