Startling facts about the coastline
Statistically we have been rated one of the most beautiful places in the world, so our beaches should reflect this too.
International Beach Clean up day took place on Saturday the 19th September 2015.
To start off the clean up, a couple of shocking facts/statistics were revealed to the group. Many of these facts and statistics actually take a while to sink in, so below I have provided a few in their simplest form.
- By the year 2050 every sea bird will have digested plastic in their stomachs.
- Since February 2014 the amount of plastic in the ocean has increased from 3.8 billion to 25 trillion pieces currently.
- Polluted coastal water costs the global economy $12.8 billion (R17 089 856 0000.00) a year in death and disease.
So what does this mean for you?
- You can pick up infectious diseases from polluted water not only from swimming, but from eating fresh fish who have come in contact with the polluted areas
- Less beaches to enjoy as there is a safety risk meaning no more beach holidays!
I could go on all day about the effects of pollution and using the ocean as a dump site but its more about the awareness and the good deeds that many are doing to prevent the situation of pollution from getting worse.
You can help too just by making the people around you aware of the current statistics.
I don’t think that the international beach clean up day should be the only day where we make an effort to clean up our beaches, this should be more regular, weekly even.
The amount of plastic and refuse that was collected on Lookout beach was astounding – the beaches may look clean, but when you look closer, there are so many items that should not be there.
It is also a good idea to teach your children about litter and how it effects the eco-system. You can do a once a month clean up with them and once they see how much this affects, they will be more conscientious.