“It’s time to understand that going green starts with living blue.” This is the tagline of Ocean Conservancy, an international organization determined to help save the ocean. And what better mantra for the yachting community’s recent “go green” push?
As superyacht crew, you live and work on the world’s oceans. Not only is it your livelihood, but the sea also controls our weather and supplies food, oxygen and water, not to mention the entertainment it provides. The ocean is a precious resource that we as a species have taken for granted for far too long.
Now, we have our opportunity to act. In conjunction with various national and local organizations, the Ocean Conservancy is aiming to hold the world’s largest volunteer effort for the ocean. The 24th Annual International Coastal Cleanup will take place on September 19, 2009.
Last year’s event saw more than 400,000 volunteers from 100 countries collect more than 6.8 million pound of trash.
Cleaning up over six million pounds of trash is a phenomenal feat, but there is still plenty left out there. The world’s oceans consistently are accumulating more and more debris. Large gyres, ocean currents, fill with plastics and trash, killing wildlife and endangering the health of all who reside in and on the water. Check out the feature article in the October 09 issue of Dockwalk for more about this little-seen, therefore little-publicized environmental catastrophe.
Of course the first way yachties can alleviate this problem is by being aware and not throwing trash and other hazardous materials overboard. Also taking some time out of your busy schedule to clean up when and where you can will create change.
Signing up to make a difference is as easy as one, two, three. First, log on to www.signuptocleanup.org, then, then enter your address to find the cleanup nearest to you. Finally, click register and you’re set. Rally some crewmates and make a day of it. Post pics of you cleaning up on Dockwalk.com or send them to janine@dockwalk.com and we’ll herald your good efforts in the next issue of Dockwalk.
Ocean Conservancy’s mission is “to promote healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems and oppose practices that threaten ocean life and human life through research, education and science-based advocacy. Ocean Conservancy informs, inspires and empowers people to speak and act on behalf of the oceans. In all its work, Ocean Conservancy strives to be the world’s foremost advocate for the oceans.”
We’ve taken advantage of our oceans and now it’s time to take a stand and make a change…and we’ll all float on okay.