WORLD OCEAN DAY

 

 “We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one” - Jacques Yves Cousteau

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” ― Rumi 

“In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans; in one aspect of You are found all the aspects of existence.” ― Kahlil Gibran Jr.

“Water does not resist. Water flows… Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” ― Margaret Atwood

It’s World Ocean Day (on the 8th of June) - a date in the calendar to remind us of the essential role the ocean plays for life on Earth and the impact of human actions on the ocean. 

WHY ARE THE OCEANS IMPORTANT TO US AS HUMANS? 

At a basic level, water hydrates us, cleanses, protects and nourishes us internally and externally grows the food that we eat. Approximately 86% of the world’s water supply is through evaporation and our ocean produces 50% of the oxygen we consume. It is reported that more than 80% of current marine pollution comes from land-based activities and because our oceans are getting warmer, this alters the chemistry and internal oceanic processes meaning marine life cannot cope.

With our governments failing to act to protect our rivers and oceans, they are under attack from plastic pollution, overfishing and the destruction of coral reefs. Pollution not only affects marine life and their environment, it directly affects us, mankind.

The toxic chemicals that are dumped on purpose from industrial sources and agriculture which then naturally flow off the land and directly into our rivers and streams, eventually end up in our oceans. The chemicals that are the big players in this pollution are oil, mercury, lead, pesticides, and other heavy metals. If humans are exposed to these toxic chemicals for long periods of time, it could result in detrimental consequences in dangerous health problems, such as hormonal issues, reproductive issues, and damage to our nervous systems and kidneys.

Just as there is a rhythm to support the homeostasis of our planet to transition from spring to summer, through the wisdom of Ayurveda, we understand that it is a further healing modality in itself. Back in March for World Water Day, I shared a post about how the temperature of the water we bathe in and consume affects us. We have a symbiotic relationship with the magnificent oceans so let’s remind ourselves of how we can be more conscientious with our actions:

HERE ARE 3 SIMPLE SWAPS YOU CAN MAKE: 

  1. Reduce microplastics and toxic chemicals in your laundry and beauty products - by reducing the overall quantity of microplastics and chemicals brought into your home, to can single-handedly reduce excess plastics and toxic by-products going into the mainstream waterways.

  2. Avoid single-use plastic - the plastics left in our local waterways, eventually make their way into the oceans. Once at sea, unless removed they could be transported to other seas across the world. So where possible, avoid any use of single-use plastics.

  3. Sustainable fish - By eating more sustainably-sourced, locally-sourced fish helps to take some of the pressure off the overfished species and supports the species (like mussels and scallops) that we have locally in the UK and have a low environmental impact.

HERE ARE 3 CHARITIES TO SUPPORT THAT ARE PROTECTING OUR OCEANS:

  1. Oceana is one of the leading foundations in protecting the world’s oceans, it’s also the only charity purely dedicated to only the different oceans across the world. They focus on winning policy victories around the world in order to protect our oceans from any further damage.

  2. Sea Shepherd is on a mission to protect and save both our oceans and the marine wildlife that call it home.

  3. Ocean Conservation Trust is a UK-based charity based in the South of England that works to conserve our oceans, restore natural marine habitats and encourages people to look after our oceans. 


It is also worth researching the smaller charities operating locally that work to protect and conserve your nearest stretch of ocean. A great example of this is GreenWave, a charity that works on training and supporting regenerative ocean farmers and coastal communities to lead the way in regenerating our oceans.

 
Jasmine Hemsley