Global Recycling Day – 18th March 2020

Oceans are the biggest water bodies on our planet however in the last few decades’ surplus human activity have severely affected marine life.  “Marine pollution is spreading harmful substances such as oil, plastic and other waste into our oceans.

Source: Google

Below are some disturbing facts that really put into perspective the problems our oceans are experiencing right now:

1. The North Pacific Ocean is the most polluted of the World’s oceans – it holds 2 trillion pieces of plastic, representing one third of the total plastic found in our oceans!
2. Plastics are the most common element found in the ocean today
3. According to a recent study 18 billion pounds of plastic trash ends up in our oceans each year. That is enough to cover every foot of coastline around the world with 5 filled rubbish bags of plastic!
4. The five most common items found in coastal clean-ups were plastic cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle caps and plastic straws
5. There are 25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean, of that 269,000 tonnes float to the surface
6. Plastic causes more than 80% of the negative effects on animals associated with ocean trash
7. Ocean pollution kills more than one million sea birds each year
8. Approximately every square mile of ocean has more than 45,000 pieces of plastic floating on it
9. Over 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic
10. It is estimated by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish!

 Source:rubiconglobal.com

It is not too late we can still turn this problem around but it needs everyone on board to do their bit to help the environment.

Source: Google

To get us stated why not start to follow the ten simple steps below to help make a difference and save our amazing oceans:

1. Conserve water
2. Reduce pollutants
3. Reduce waste – recycle what you can
4. Shop wisely
5. Reduce vehicle pollution – walk more/do lift shares/take public transport
6. Use less energy
7. Fish responsibly
8. Use reusable plastic products
9. Respect our habitat
10. Volunteer to help clean beaches, help with injured sea animals, raise money for worthy charities

Source: oceanservice.noaa.gov

Oceans provide a home to a wide variety of marine animals and plants and it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to play our parts to help make these oceans clean again so our important marine species…and mermaids can thrive for decades to come!

Remember even the smallest of changes really can make a difference! 

If you would like to volunteer with beach clean ups please visit  www.nationaltrust.org/lists/pitch-in-with-a-beach-clean and you will be given information on events held around the country and how you can sign up to help.

Source: Google

We would love to hear from you if you have already done or going to do your bit to help our amazing oceans.  All you need to do is tell us your stories on our social media platforms so we can share with fellow mermaid lovers alike!

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Visit www.planetmermaid.com to view our latest in amazing fabric mermaid tails for kids and adults, woman’s mermaid monofins, siren tails and a whole lot more!

Keep mermaiding and sharking