I don't know about you, but I prefer my ocean to look like this ...
rather than this...
"The Solution to Pollution is no longer Dilution"
According to the latest findings by Heal the Ocean in Santa Barbara, not only are our oceans in danger but so is our freshwater supply. Their goal is to move toward reclaimed wastewater by adapting treatment plants to focus on reclaiming this water rather than dumping untreated chemical contaminants it into our oceans. By doing so we could solve two problems: stop widespread pollution of the ocean and address the lack of potable water needed to sustain the states future.
How can you help?
Take a look at what ingredients are in your everyday household goods. If you can't pronounce it, you should not be putting it down the drain- OR on your body OR on your dishes, counter tops and floors-where your kids and pets spend most of their day.
Before waste water treatment facilities will be able to start reclaiming water they will need to tackle one major issue: Chemical Pollution
Are You Aware? Can you pass it along?
Antibacterial soaps, shampoos, pharmaceuticals and pesticides are found in our everyday products and are not only harming our oceans, but harming us as well! Most of us are still unaware of the chemicals we are brushing our teeth with, rubbing into our scalp and onto our skin. Skin is the largest organ in our body, and if not for the ocean, do it for yourself and your family. Switching household products to Mrs. Meyers or Method is a great start. They smell better anyway and actually make cleaning pleasant, I find the Basil or Geranium scented Meyer's counter top spray and dish washing soap to feel like aromaTHERAPY while I do my everyday chores. Filling the house with a pleasing scent opposed to the pine sol and bleach stench I grew up with is reason enough to switch. These products have recently made their way to major supermarket shelves and are therefore more accessible.
Try Tom's of Maine toothpaste and deodorants that are free of mercury and formaldehyde among other scary things. Trader Joe's also has a great tasting non-toxic toothpaste.
Parabens and other toxic chemicals are found in most facial products, a great alternative to those is Apriori as previously discussed here.
We need to focus on the little steps we can do to reduce our carbon footprint and
Heal the Ocean.
"Ocean Waste water discharge has become even more questionable as waste water contains a growing number of contaminants of emerging concern, and freshwater becomes more scarce."
Coastal communities flush away more than 1 billion gallons of fresh water everyday by discharging waste water into the Pacific Ocean. California Ocean waste water Discharge Report and Inventory examined the states 43 waste water treatment facilities and determined that only 312 million gallons are reclaimed daily for beneficial use.
Hillary Hauser, executive director for Heal the Ocean says a major campaign is needed to raise awareness about the benefits of high-quality recycled water and its potential to be cleaner than many drinking water supplies. Heal the Ocean officials are distributing the report to water agencies and state officials and feel the next step is to put together a campaign to find funding for treatment upgrades and a shift toward reclaimed water. The report took half a decade to complete and can be viewed at Heal the Ocean's site.
While they tackle the larger campaign to find funding for treatment upgrades, we can all campaign to make smaller changes in what we are putting down our drain and on our bodies. Please pass this on! Help others Heal themselves and the Ocean!
Post Author for GloballyGorgeous
Tamara Wallop
