The sign reads “Contaminated Waters-Keep Out.” Whether this is due to an oil spill, nuclear accident or a sewage contamination, we have the luxury of choosing not to swim in a polluted water area. What is unfortunate is that the marvelous oceanic creatures who have been gracing our globe for ages do not have the choice to simply avoid pollutants or other various dangers threatening their existence. From sea turtles to coral, marine life in oceans are threatened and some even critically endangered directly due to Earth’s sickly waters. What are we supposed to do about it?
On October 3rd, California Lutheran University had the opportunity of hosting Dr. Reese Halter to speak to our students about saving the oceans. Halter is a distinguished conservation biologist, author and Earth lover to the core. His passion for saving nature echoed through our chapel and rang in the ears of our very own students. He spent one hour conveying as much of his knowledge as possible, leaving the people with a better understanding of alarming environmental issues. He wanted to make sure people knew that they have the power to do something to help save the oceans and to save nature. Dr. Reese Halter managed to address and briefly discuss a number of topics beyond pollution, which provided extensive commentary on ocean acidification, poaching, and the effects of increased carbon dioxide levels in the water.
Each threat is happening. They are real. It’s easy to feel disconnected from these issues and to feel useless in ending them, but before dismissing any environmental news updates as just unfortunate, maybe it is time to take action. Not maybe, it is the time to take action and to become more knowledgeable about environmental threats. During Halter’s presentation, he harped to “never lose the zest to learn.” Everyone has the right and the resources to understand what is hurting our oceans and our planet, and educating yourself first about these issues can help you feel more involved and aware.
He explained how small actions such as significantly cutting down plastic use, not supporting the sale of shark fin soup, participating in regular beach clean-ups and involving yourself in environmental clubs or organizations are all incredibly beneficial. It can be overwhelming and you can feel you are unable to make an environmental difference because more often than not, all people hear about is issue after issue rather than solution after solution.
Next time you read a caution sign at the beach or perhaps by a river, understand that the option you have to avoid swimming in a toxic waterway is an option the aquatic creatures don’t have. The option you do have is to do something about it. It is important to realize that humans are directly affected by what goes on in our oceans and in nature. Nature is life and the oceans are life. What if they die? Everything is connected and it connects back to us. The question is no longer what should we do, it’s what will we do? Are you done brainstorming? What steps will you take?