November Newsletter

An Ocean of Thanks
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for everything in our lives, such as watching a radiant sunset or hearing the crashing of the waves. The ocean provides us with many simple pleasures, but it also provides us with the sustenance for life on this planet. Take a deep breath. The ocean provides over 70% of the oxygen that you, me, the blue whale in the ocean, the leaf-cutter ant in the rain forest and everything else in between breathes. The ocean also soaks up more than 2 billion tons of the globe's gaseous carbon pollutants, most of which humans put into the atmosphere. It provides food as well as jobs to millions of people every day. The ocean also offers many of the ingredients for today's and tomorrow's medicines. The ocean not only helps us breathe, eat, and stay healthy, it also supports the economy. One recent analysis has shown that if we had to pay for all of the goods and services that the ocean provides, such as regulating atmospheric gases, cycling nutrients, producing food, raw materials, and recreation, the cost would be about US $21,000 billion per year! (http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Agri/Agri_ocean.htm) The ocean is something all creatures should be thankful for everyday. However, human actions are abusing and overusing this fragile ecosystem. We need to realize how important the ocean is and learn how to protect it.
10 Things YOU Can Do to Help the Ocean
1. LEARN all you can. Read, surf the web and experience the ocean directly.
2. Be a SMART SHOPPER. Ask grocery stores and restaurants about the source of their seafood.
3. CONSERVE water. Be careful when washing your car or watering your lawn.
4. REDUCE household pollutants. Cut down and properly dispose of herbicides, pesticides and cleaning products.
5. REDUCE waste. Dispose of trash properly. Where possible, recycle, re-use, and compost.
6. REDUCE automobile pollution. Use fuel efficient vehicles or carpool. Recycle motor oil and repair oil and air conditioning leaks.
7. PROTECT ocean wildlife. Don't dispose of fishing lines, nets, or plastic items in or near the water.
8. BE CONSIDERATE of sea life habitats. Don't bother sea birds, mammals, and turtles or their nesting grounds. Support marine protected areas.
9. GET INVOLVED. Take part in a beach cleanup or other ocean-related activities.
PASS ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE! List from http://dusk2.geo.orst.edu/oceans/yoto.html)