International Coastal Cleanup Day
Looking for a weekend project with the kids? Why not invest in a cause that benefits both people and wildlife? Saturday, September 19, is International Coastal Cleanup Day-a day where you can teach your children valuable lessons of service, responsibility and kindness.
International Coastal Cleanup is a year-round program sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. The program strives to keep our oceans and waterways debris-free and safer for the animals who call the ocean home. Each year, on the 3rd Saturday of September, the program culminates around the world as over 100 countries come together to clean their local beaches and waterways. Millions of volunteers not only clean up trash, but also log data about what they found. This information has become vital in raising awareness about global pollution and instrumental in putting policies in place to address global pollution.
6.84 Million Pounds of Garbage
As you embark on this project with your family, your children may wonder how much waste really is polluting our oceans and what kinds of problems it is causing. During the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup, the garbage collected equaled the weight of 18 blue whales! Considering that a blue whale weighs around 190 tons, that's 6.84 million pounds of garbage! The garbage collected included cigarette butts, bottles, wrappers, packing strips, nets, cans, diapers, and many other items that we dispose of on a daily basis. Our oceans are not able to absorb or decompose many of these items, and the litter will end up floating thousands of miles out to sea, collecting on the seafloor or covering the beaches we vacation on.
How It Hurts the Animals
Not only does all of this waste create an eyesore, but it also presents a great threat to marine wildlife. During the 2008 cleanup, volunteers found 443 animals entangled or trapped by marine debris. Of these animals, 268 were found alive and could be released. The most common cause of injuries in these animals was debris from fishing activities: traps, nets, ropes, and hooks. Fish, seahorses, crabs, octopuses, lobsters and birds are some of the animals most commonly affected by the garbage left behind. Being trapped or tangled in garbage is not the only way marine wildlife is affected by our garbage. The animals may ingest the garbage, which could become lodged in their digestive tract or contain dangerous toxins. Seabirds are especially attracted to small bits of trash, often accidentally consuming cigarette butts, bottle caps and other small plastic items.
According to the Ocean Conservancy, a study of northern fulmar seabirds found dead on Dutch beaches revealed that 98 percent had plastic in their stomachs. Each year, thousands of marine animals are killed or injured by our carelessness. Many of these animals are limited in number and are becoming more and more endangered by the day.
How You Can Help
Now, are you and your children motivated to make a difference in the lives of wildlife? Here's what you can do to prevent further suffering of wildlife:
- Make a commitment to not littering-all year round. Organize litter cleanups around your neighborhood several times a year and try to get multiple families involved in the effort. Wear gloves and recycle what you can.
- If you don't already, begin recycling today! Get involved in your PTA to discuss recycling at school.
- Take part in International Coastal Cleanup Day this Saturday, September 19, 2009. For more information, visit Coastal Cleanup Sign Up.
- Sit down and spend some time reading about wildlife with your family. Visit our online bibliography, Kids, Animals & Literature, to find a list of ASPCA-reviewed books about birds, reptiles, fish and other wildlife!
For more information on International Coastal Cleanup Day, The Ocean Conservancy and the ASPCA, visit the following websites: