Spring break: it’s when everyone lets loose from all the stress of work or studying and gets out of their winter slump. This is great and all, but spring breaks have dire effects on our planet. As a Miami girl, I have witnessed firsthand the disastrous aftermath of spring breakers at the beach. I think it’s extremely important to learn about the effects of our actions during spring break and the little things we can do to give back to Mother Nature. After all, when you’re at the beach, you’re enjoying her wonders, why not give her something in return? Here are some important facts, tips and tricks to know during your spring break.
1. Why should I care about the pollution that happens during spring break?
Every year during Spring break the beaches in Miami end up trashed. Most of the debris ends up being plastic. According to Rising Above, around eight million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and this results in the death of around 100 million marine animals. This has devastating impacts on fragile ecosystems and causes great damage. Furthermore, it ends up affecting us. Pollution affects our health, our lifestyles and welfare.
2. Pick up some trash at the beach!
Since we’re now aware of why we should care along with one of the biggest pollutants of our ocean, we can do something. When you go to the beach this spring break, take some gloves and a bag with you. Whenever you see trash, pick it up! It might seem like you’re not making a difference, but every action matters. That plastic bag you just picked up could have ended up being mistakenly eaten by a sea turtle resulting in its death. All our actions add up and just spending five minutes picking up some trash could make a difference!
3. Use plastic-free containers!
Straying from those plastic bottles is a common trend nowadays, but we still see hundreds of plastic water bottles on the beach. Make sure to bring your plastic-free containers to the beach. That way you will make sure not to leave them behind! It also prevents the chance of runaway plastic bottles ending up in the ocean. A common trick to make sure that you’re not leaving anything behind that you shouldn’t is to remember if you brought it, you should take it. As I mentioned previously, every action makes a difference!
4. Pick a green place to stay!
The next time you book a hotel, check to see if they use sustainable practices. You can check a hotel’s green rating to see if they meet sustainable standards. You could also stay in an Airbnb or homestay to decrease your carbon footprint. If everyone would pick these more sustainable places, it would encourage other businesses to follow their footsteps.
Whether you’re staying here in Tally for Spring break or heading home, think about the impact you have on the world around you. We need to take care of the earth because it’s the only one we have, and there are some simple ways to do it! Enjoy your spring break, but also be conscientious!
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