On April 22, people around the globe will celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day was created over 40 years ago in response to new awareness of the impact of pollution on the environment and on people thanks to the likes of Rachel Carson's infamous book Silent Spring. But it was the devastating oil spill in Santa Barbara in 1969 that was the true catalyst for Earth Day. Last years oil spill in Santa Barbara, following the massive oil spill in the Gulf, is a reminder that Earth Day is still as relevant now was it was in 1970.
At the Surfrider Foundation, we recognize this Earth Day to celebrate and reminder people who seek to make our world a better place. We also are reminded that 71 percent of the Earth is covered by ocean. It was Arthur C. Clarke who astutely observed, "how inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean. " For Surfrider, Earth Day is also ocean day to celebrate protecting our ocean planet.
But one day just isn't enough. There's a lot of work to do, and we are all in this together. Change can start with simple changes in our daily lives that protect our ocean, waves and beaches for generations to come. To participate in our campaign, "Every Day is Earth Day," consider taking these small steps to impact our environment in a big way.
- Pay Attention to Packaging. Look for produce and other items that aren't over-packaged. Not only are you reducing the plastic you consume, but you're sending a signal to manufacturers that you prefer sustainable options.
- Use reuseable cloth bags for shopping. Keep reusable bags somewhere handy--in your car or on your bike or by the front door--so you don't forget them when you go to the market, grocery store or mall.
- Refuse bottled water. Instead, carry a reusable bottle. Plastic bottles are one of the top five most common types of litter found on beaches. You will also save money and avoid the risk of toxins leaching into your drink.
- Skip the straw! Americans use 500 million straws daily...just to be thrown away.
- Drive less! Our personal vehicles are a major source of carbon emissions. You can help by taking public transportation, car-pooling and riding your bike to reduce your carbon footprint and help curb climate change.
- Hold on to your butt. If you smoke...don't litter your cigarette butts. Cigarettes are the most common piece of litter found at the beach. They aren't biodegradable, leak chemicals that kill fish, and pollute our beaches and ocean.
- Sweep. Don't hose. Cleaning your driveway and sidewalks with a hose sends dirty water into the storm drains and out to the beach.
- Volunteer at a beach cleanup. Plastics are forever. Help pick up plastic litter before it enters the ocean. Plastic litter is mistaken for food by birds and marine life. Surfrider Foundation chapters will hold events all month long (and every month!)
- Get out there! Once you've taken these simple steps, reward yourself with a walk on the beach, a swim, paddle or surf. There is nothing better than some time along the coast to remember why it's worth protecting.
If not us, who? If not now, when? There is no better time than now to celebrate our ocean planet during this year's Earth Day. Turn your passion into protection with these simple steps. If we all do them, we'll see a massive difference in the health of our ocean, waves, and beaches.
Happy Earth Day!