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EARTH DAY is this on Sunday April 22nd. I would like to ask you a few questions, and although I’m pretty sure that most of you will say yes, I'll ask them anyway because I want all of us to reflect on this day and what it means to us all.
FIRST. DO you LOVE and CARE for our planet earth? If you really think that you do, let me ask you a second question.
HOW do you show your love and care that mother earth deserves?
THIRD. What do you actually do to confirm that you really love/care for this planet?
And FOURTH. Why do most of us refer to our planet as Mother Earth?
What ever our answer is, one thing is sure... WE NEED TO ACT NOW TO SAVE OUR PLANET! Let me tell you why.
We are polluting them at an alarming rate with our plastic trash; plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic silverware, dishes, cups, lids, straws, stirrers, lighters, markers, and much more. If you’re wondering how this trash gets to the ocean, the answer is simple; many garbage dumps are near rivers, hence the trash from these dumps floats to the ocean. But that’s not all! There are other threats that are also polluting the ocean; discarded fishing nets, pesticides, herbicides (used by farmers), toothpaste, cosmetics, and high level of CO2 emissions/pollution. We’re also degrading it with sewer waste that contains micro plastics (tiny particles of plastic), that are found in face scrubs, cosmetics and even in some toothpaste. Micro plastics are now also in the air we breathe- they are released from motor vehicle tires and from clothes dryers!
This situation is unsustainable (can’t go on any longer); hence it must stop and/or reduced- to avoid the destruction our planet. It is also foolish for us to waste this resource- plastic can be recycled- and re-entered in the economy. Experts tell us that up to 80% of our trash winds up in the ocean. So, instead of recycling it, and make a profit- we just throw it away. The idea that plastic was disposable was deceiving! Plastic has never, and will never be disposable. The only thing that is becoming disposable is the oceans and our planet!!
It is a fact; very year 8-million tons of plastic per year (at this time- 2018- one truck full of plastic trash every minute!) ends up in our ocean killing millions of marine animals. Sea creatures, like turtles, dolphins and seals, get caught in discarded fishing gear, and/or mistake plastic bags for their next meal and die eating them. Fish ingest deflated balloons and choke to death. Millions of sea birds die because they too ingest pieces of floating plastic (cigarette lighters, straws, markers, etc.). Over fishing, pollution and habitat fragmentation are wearing down the health of our oceans, which degrade coral reefs and corrode the shells of sea creatures— it's not surprising that ocean ecosystems are rapidly collapsing.”
(Sources: https://takeaction.oceanconservancy.org/ea-action/action
And images at http://www.lazerhorse.org/2013/11/23/great-pacific-garbage-patch/#
The facts are clear; National Geographic and Green Peace’s 2017 statistics, tell us the ugly truth: only 9% of our trash has been recycled- the vast majority—79%—is accumulating in landfills or sitting in the natural environment. This means, that at some point, much of it ends up in the oceans. So, if present trends continue, by 2050 there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic- a garbage full of trash per minute is dumped in the ocean!
(Source: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/.../plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-...)
The facts are clear; National Geographic and Green Peace’s 2017 statistics, tell us the ugly truth: only 9% of our trash has been recycled- the vast majority—79%—is accumulating in landfills or sitting in the natural environment. This means, that at some point, much of it ends up in the oceans. So, if present trends continue, by 2050 there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic- a garbage full of trash per minute is dumped in the ocean!
(Source: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/.../plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-...)
These statistic on ocean pollution have shocked and inspired me to act. I hope they will have the same effect on you too! On a personal level, I know that I care for Mother Earth, because I appreciate the fact that she gives life! And like a loving mother she gives and gives- she provides most of all our needs; with water, air, food, creatures and beauty- to make our life fun/happy/fulfilling… both in mind and body!
The answer isn’t complicated, it’s simple. To really show our love for mother earth, we have to put into action our feelings! We need to apply the 4Rs in our life. And in case you do not know what the 4Rs stands for, let me tell you.
4Rs stands for; recycle, reduce, reuse and refuse single-use plastic. I also call them the 4 responsibilities, and/or actions, that show myself, and others, that I truly do care and love Mother Earth.
So, please, show your love, your care and your respect for Mother Earth; by recycling in our school, by putting all plastic water bottles w/caps, soda cans, plastic juice cups and plastic cereal bowls in the recycling bins and/or boxes. And please don’t forget! No garbage! Empty clean all containers, and put the caps back on the bottles. Mother Earth appreciates it!
In addition; you can also show your love/care/respect for our planet Earth this weekend; by going outdoor and clean up an area in your neighborhood and pick up plastic trash; plastic, glass and metal containers. I will do this this Saturday morning. If you want to join me, contact me.
I also want to invite you to take my Ocean Pollution Quiz on my blog DOLCE-AMARO, by visiting
http://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2018/04/students-ocean-pollution-quiz-contest.html
There will be prizes for those who take the quiz, turn it in to me get a min. passing score of 70% .
Also, soon I will have an Earth/World Ocean’s Day and Social/Environmental contest. Students will be asked to write essays/articles/stories, make artworks (sculptures, paintings, drawings, illustrations, photographs, collages, etc.) that will talk about/discuss the above themes- question/answer some these;
a. Why I care about our planet- earth, our home.
b. What we must do to take care of the environment, and save our planet.
c. Why doesn’t the US recycle as much as other developed countries? For instance northwestern European nations.
d. Why is there so much pollution in our world?
e. Why is there so much plastic in the oceans? What can we do about it? Do you have any solutions?
f. Is there any hope for our planet? Can we save the oceans, and our planet, from plastic pollution? From a global environmental catastrophe? Do you have any suggestions on what need to be done to keep our planet clean, safe and healthy?
g. What are the causes of poverty? Violence (abuse, bullying)? War? Discrimination? Hate?
h. How can we create a peaceful world?
So, start creating now! Write if you like to write- if you’re a writer! Make an artistic statement- if you’re an artist! We may publish your work and/or have art show!
Prizes for the Ocean quiz contest and the other two; Earth/World Day may include books, cash, gift certificates, music, movies, and/or toys/gifts!
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Earth Day 2018: End Plastic Pollution
Countdown to April 22
Plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and land, injuring marine life, and affecting our health!
Help End Plastic Pollution by finding out how many plastic items you consume
every year and make a PLEDGE to reduce the amount.
Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally
change human attitude and behavior about plastics.
Choose an option below to take further action to End Plastic Pollution on Earth Day and beyond!
To join log on to
https://www.earthday.org/
BBC VIDEO shows a large mass of plastic trash in the Caribbean Sea
http://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2016/06/ocean-why-do-like-it-lets-take-look.html
Facebook VIDEO on how metal razors work best to shave and are Eco-friendly- environment!
https://www.facebook.com/WeNeedThisbyattn/videos/197780847390455/
Facebook VIDEO about biodegradable, or natural plastic bags, made from yuca, a tropical vegetable root!
https://www.facebook.com/WeNeedThisbyattn/videos/198458580656015/
COSTA RICA & INDONESIA MAKE BIODEGRADABLE/NATURAL BAGS From YUCA, A ROOT! That can be eaten by animals, and it won't hurt them!
https://www.facebook.com/WeNeedThisbyattn/videos/198458580656015/ (Click/visit on this FB video to see how a company named AVANI in Indonesia makes biodegradable bags from the Yuca root)
Become a P.O.P.E., a Protector Of Planet Earth!
Take the Pledge! To care/defend all living things!
"I promise to be kind to the earth and all living things (including people!), and to do my best- all I can- in protecting earth's oceans and its environment by all types of pollution and/or any other threat." By Ottavio Lo Piccolo
Text and images are copyrighted by Ottavio Lo Piccolo (2017), unless as otherwise stated. Teachers are free to use- as they see fit- to teach/support this topic. People can share freely this post/article info., to inform others, however, the aim is not to change the message and/or to profit- the only objective must be to inform, educate and motivate others to protect our planet earth from the threat of pollution/global warming. THANK YOU for being kind to the earth and to all living things! Including me!! Us! And all others too!
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