June is World Oceans Month and now is the perfect time to talk to your kids about conservation. Not only is it fun and fascinating, but learning about the ocean helps us to develop a care and concern for it as well.
The ocean is much vaster of much more full of mystery than many of us realize. It covers 71 percent of our planet and contains 99 percent of the living space. It is thought that an estimated 50-80 percent of all life that is found on earth is under the ocean’s surface, yet less than 10 percent of that space has been explored by humans.
Here are a few ways that families everywhere can do their part to help protect the ocean and the animals that call it home.
Volunteer for a Beach Cleanup
Recruit friends and family and clean up a local beach, lake, river, stream, or wetland. If you don’t live near a beach, cleaning a local water source is a great way to help kids realize that trash in our local water sources will eventually make its way to the ocean.
Reduce Your Use of Plastic
Most of the trash picked up on shores is plastic. Plastic harms sea animals and it the single biggest threat to our oceans. Turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, birds get entangled in fishing line, and animals get stuck in plastic wrappings.
Using less plastic is the best thing you can do for ocean conservation, and anyone can do it. Trade in those plastic water bottles in favor of reusable tumblers with lids.
Reduce Your Energy Use
Energy-proof your home to help fight climate change. Climate change is linked to sea level rise and ocean acidification, both of which could drastically affect marine ecosystems.
A few things you can do to help include making sure to insulate properly, keeping your heating and cooling system maintained, and switching to energy efficient light bulbs. You’ll help reduce the effects of climate change and save some money in the process!
Eat Sustainable Seafood
One of the simplest things you can do is ask your local grocery stores and restaurants if they sell sustainable seafood. Many common fishing and farming methods unfortunately result in major habitat damage. If consumers make it known that sustainable food is what they are going to buy, eventually that is what stores will sell!
Spread the Word
Tell your friends about ocean habitat issues and use your social media platforms to raise awareness! One person can make a difference, but think how much greater an impact you’ll have if you recruit your friends to the cause!
The goal of Seven Seas Illustration is to create beautiful and whimsical illustrations of creatures from the seven seas for children and adults with a conservation twist. Learning about the many species, such as where they live and what they eat, is a great way to understand their place in the chain of life and how we can help them thrive. Sign up online to receive a free set of printable stickers!
