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It would be easy to blame certain countries, but I believe we should all take some responsibility. At this time there are laws in place to protect whales from being hunted and becoming extinct. The question then arises, why is this legislation not effective? Why aren't sanctions in effective? Bottom lines

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New Organization groups helps like minded citizens to take part in the Great clean up.
According to the article, Ocean Conservation Organization provides individuals opportunity to help keep a small area clean and pledge ro monitor to the world's beaches.

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Ocean Pollution Injures & Kills Marine Life, Spreads Toxins & Is A Health Threat. Values Based Investing. Creating Positive Change.

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HOT STUFF! Warmer ocean temps kill coral and cause hurricanes!

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HOT STUFF! Warmer ocean temps kill coral and cause hurricanes!

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According to the article “Corals and Coral Reefs,” ¼ of all ocean species depend on coral reefs.”

High water temperatures cause coral bleaching and can kill coral colonies. We can protect marine life by protecting coral reefs.

Ocean warming is caused by air warming. The EPA says, “as the temperature of the air rises, ocean absorb some of this year and also become warmer” (www3.epa.gov). Warmer oceans also affect weather patters and the rising sea level.

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It e easy to blame this country or that one, butu would b

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If the coral reefs were to go extinct due to overfishing, destructive practices, CO2pollution, global warming, invasive species and the ever changing chemistry in our oceans our lives would be directly impacted. 500 million people directly depend on the reefs for food, jobs and recreation. If these were to disappear the strain on the rest of the world would be severe. This would cause outbreaks of hunger, poverty and political instability vying for resources to sustain the 500 million people that would be impacted. Not only would the world be put into strain but health of many would be impacted due to the medicinal benefits that we get from the coral reefs.

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Responsible and Sustainable Oceanside Living: How to view, preserve and care for your ocean

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Responsible and Sustainable Oceanside Living: How to view, preserve and care for your ocean

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In the U.K. sits one of the worlds largest protected ocean spaces. The Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve. Here the oceans are clean, illegal fishing has decreased, and curiosity is fostered.  In this 322,000 square miles of space divers are able to see 250ft of ocean space.  The ocean in this area is so clean that the coral reef resembles a garden of pale blue roses.

With only 60 people living on this amazing set of islands, the question that remains is, "Can we do this in a more populated area successfully.

http://overland.cherrycreekschools.org/Academics/Pages/AP.aspx

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The value of coral reefs have been been estimated at 30 billion U.S. dollars and perhaps as much as 172 billion U.S. dollars each year, providing food, protection of shorelines, jobs based on tourism, and even medicines. People  pose the greatest threat to coral reefs. Overfishing/ destructive fishing, pollution,  global warming, changing ocean chemistry, and invasive species are all taking a huge toll. Some reefs have been entirely destroyed, and in many places reefs today are a pale shadow of what they once were.
The greatest threats to reefs are rising water temperatures and ocean acidification linked to rising carbon dioxide levels. Even activities that take place far from reefs can have an impact. Runoff from lawns, sewage, cities, and farms feeds algae that can overwhelm reefs. Deforestation hastens soil erosion, which clouds water—smothering corals.

There is much that we can do locally to protect coral reefs, by making sure there is a healthy fish community and that the water surrounding the reefs is clean.

What will your role be in saving the reefs????

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Living in Colorado, you might think that you can't do anything to keep the oceans clean, but you can! Most of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is is composed of microplastic (National Geographic, 9-19-14). Microplastic is produced when plastic is broken down by sunlight. Plastic doesn't just degrade it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces until it is almost microscopic. When it becomes microplastic, it is almost impossible to remove from the ocean. The only solution to this problem is to prevent plastic from getting into the ocean in the first place.

How can you do that living so far from the ocean? One thing you can do is to quit buying disposable water bottles and other items using disposable plastic containers. Use reusable water bottles made of glass and stainless steel.

What if you already have plastic water bottles?
Repurpose those water bottles. An artist in Mexico built an entire island out of used water bottles. He hopes to build a large enough island that will be able to grow more food (Richart Sowa, 11-14-13). Staff members of National Geographic built a marine craft and piloted it across the ocean (National Geographic, 9-19-14). Think about things that you could make out of plastic water bottles.

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How can we take what now fills the oceans and beaches from polluting trash and and make it into an island garden that produces air and vegetables. One Eco Architect has created an island from trash in such a way it can grow plants. What if we could upscale the model and make floating gardens. We could develop a system that is movable to accommodate changing season, weather patterns and global needs. some plants and vegetables could be grown year round simply by moving the island.

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An Island made from plastic bottles by Richart Sowa

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A floating artificial island built in Mexico by British artist Richart "Rishi" Sowa. He's first Island was destroyed by a hurricane in 2005; a replacement, Joyxee Island, has been open for tours since 2008. In the waters of Isla Mujeres, the "Island of Women", near Cancun. It opened for tours in August, 2008.

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It's dark and scary down there. What do we know about the deep sea?

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It's dark and scary down there. What do we know about the deep sea?

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70% of the ocean's surface lies in such deep water it doesn't see the light of day.

One misconception is that there is very little sea life down there.

Another misconception is that the pressure is too great for creatures to live. But this is false!

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* there are two main reasons the Japanese continue to pursue whaling even though it has been internationally deemed illegal, and they don't really eat the meat anymore (of the 300,000 tons of seafood eaten in Japan each year, only 4000 tons come from whale meat).

1. Cultural Implications
- there are large portions of the country that are steeped in whaling tradition that is not easy to change, nor is there a desire to change it
- Many feel that other cultures coming in and telling them what they can or can not do is intrusive and offensive

2. Political Implications
- There is a large portion of Japanese Agriculture that is involved in whaling.  To cease operations would be to put those people out of jobs.
- Trade with other whaling countries is a monetary staple

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Had included information on who to contact to take part in the Great Clean-UP

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Only known creature that can live forever! Through a process called Transdifferentiation, they can go back to any point in their development process. Immortal Jellyfish can be useful in learning about stem cells, or how to replace cells that were damaged in humans.

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This tiny jellyfish may have discovered the secret to eternal life, in a manner of speaking.

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China is a horrible country!! They are responsible for 28% of the pollution in the ocean.

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China is a horrible country!! They are responsible for 28% of the pollution in the ocean.

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Which Countries Create the Most Ocean Trash?

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China and Indonesia are the top sources of the plastic bottles, bags and other garbage reaching the oceans, international researchers have found.

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How can I, as someone who is landlocked, help keep plastic out of our oceans? 

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How can I, as someone who is landlocked, help keep plastic out of our oceans? 

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Plastic has many ramifications in the ocean:
While we see how plastic bottles, netting, and soda rings affect marine animals, what has also been found is “As microplastics and other trash collect on or near the surface of the ocean, they block sunlight from reaching plankton and algae below. Algae and plankton are the most common autotrophs, or producers, in the marine food web.” Sea animals such as turtles and fish feed on this algae and plankton, and therefore, the entire food web could change. - "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" from National Geographic

Ocean Conservancy gives us several places where we can donate to help the cause:

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Have you ever walked along a beautiful beach and been surprised to find a piece of plastic at your feet? You might be even more surprised to learn that together with volunteers like you, we've picked up more than 220 million pounds of trash in the last 30 years.

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* conservation of marine living resources (fisheries management)

* pollution control (oil, shipping, nuclear, hazardous substances etc.)

* off-shore mining
* land-based marine pollution (LBMP).

Each coastal state should implement strategies to combat these main areas of concern. The United Nations has developed a resolution that includes how to pay for it, conservation, sustainability, public education, contingency plans for disasters, environmental quality standards, etc. It is hard to enforce, but the UN is determined to protect the oceans with the help of coastal communities.