Beaches are one of the landscapes that are filled with filth and waste as far as the eye can see. Being one of the most frequently visited places by all sorts of populations, it is no wonder that beaches are the go-to choice for people when it comes to throwing waste.
However, throwing garbage into the beaches comes at a hefty cost. Since the waste collected not only pollutes the beaches but also pollutes the ocean. To raise awareness about the importance of clean beaches, The Clean Beaches Coalition has been celebrating Clean Beaches Week annually during the week of July 1st- July 7th. It has been dubbed as ‘The Earth Day’ for Beaches.
One of the most harmful effects of beach pollution is the degradation of habitat. The pollution on beaches affects the reproduction rate of already endangered sea turtles, as it alters the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs.
According to Condor Ferries, 100 million marine animals die every year due to plastic waste. It is also estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic are currently there in the ocean, and every single year 33 billion pounds of plastic enter the marine environment. 1 in 3 marine animals is also found entangled in litter. This can also impact consumers of seafood, as microplastic is frequently found in fish used for consumption.
Beach Pollution has also been linked to climate change, as ocean trash harm marine plant life, which is responsible for 50 to 85% of worldwide oxygen levels.
It also takes an economic toll on society, as beaches often have to be closed due to high pollution levels. Costing many people their jobs and daily income.
So what can you do to protect our beaches?
The very first thing that you can do is be mindful of yourself while enjoying your time at the beach. Make sure not to litter the surroundings, and if you can pick up the garbage you see lying around. Encourage your companions to do the same as well.
You can also lend your hand to beach clean-up organizations, by becoming a volunteer. There are so many organizations in India which are doing a splendid job of cleaning our beaches. Even if you do it solely on weekends, that still would be a big help.
You can use social media as a tool to spread awareness about the importance of clean beaches. Sharing links and resources on your social media profiles will make more people aware of the dangers of beach pollution.
Child Help Foundation, along with its Beach Army and Crowdfunding partner, Filaantro understands the problem of beach pollution and conducts beach clean-ups regularly. By partnering with various NGOs, Colleges, and Volunteers, Child Help Foundation has saved 2,08,77,780 marine life species. You can also volunteer to help us with our projects by registering on our website.
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