Earth Day is just as relevant now as it was when it was first set up. In 1969, a seabed pipeline off the coast of California ruptured, spilling 3 million gallons of heavy crude oil into the ocean over the course of ten days. This disaster was widely publicised at the time. Nightly news footage of the devastation caused to seabirds and elephant seals horrified the public, spurring massive volunteer clean-up efforts along the affected coastline. The environmental impact of the disaster lingered in the world’s collective consciousness and was a key motivator in the creation of Earth Day the following year, on April 22nd 1970. Over fifty years later, Earth Day is still observed as a reminder to refocus our efforts to protect the environment, with The Smithsonian Museum estimating that over a billion people participate in countries all over the world.
Oil & Plastics
Of course, pipeline spills and tanker accidents are not the only threats posed to our oceans by oil. The vast majority of the plastics that wrap our groceries, form the fibres in our clothes, and are found in almost every gadget and appliance we use in daily life, are made from petrochemicals. When these plastics enter the ocean, either intact as massive floating garbage patches, or in the form of invisibly small micro-plastic particles, they kill wildlife and enter a food chain that ends with human consumption. Whether in its raw liquid form, or as a derivative plastic product, oil causes devastation whenever it enters the ocean.
Emerging Technologies
Plastic is such a pervasive presence in our lives, it can be difficult to imagine a world without it, but there are some promising, emerging technologies that may help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuel-derived plastics. Seaweed and algae are increasingly seeing use as the basis for sustainable food packaging, and plant cellulose sprays are being developed which could offer a biodegradable alternative to some plastics. However, until these technologies mature and are embraced by industry, the best thing we as individuals can do to protect our oceans is reduce the amount of plastic we consume, and recycle the plastic waste we produce.
This is why the GreenSeas Trust is working hard to distribute as many BinForGreenSeas recycling bins at rivers and seafronts as possible. There are currently 21 BinForGreenSeas sites, with the 22nd to be unveiled in Margate next month. To find out more about this project, and to help us invoke the spirit of Earth Day by creating more BinForGreenSeas sites and keeping plastic waste out of our seas, click here: BinForGreenSeas