Earth Day 2024
- Abbey Seeley
- Apr 19, 2024
- 6 min read
Planet vs. Plastics: Exploring the effects of coastal living on Southern California Marinas.
Celebrating the Great Big Blue
Earth Day, celebrated every April 22, is an excellent day for boaters to show their support for environmental protection. The world’s waterways are our playgrounds, and protecting them is a core part of what it means to be a member of the boating community.
In celebration of Earth Day, I want to highlight the importance of ocean conservation and sustainable practices within the sailing/boating community. As water enthusiasts, we have a close connection to the sea and must take responsibility for protecting its delicate ecosystems. By reducing plastic usage, practicing responsible waste management, and promoting marine conservation efforts, we can ensure that future generations can continue enjoying our oceans' beauty.
Negative Impacts of Coastal Living
I also want to highlight the responsibility that falls on those living in coastal cities. Everything that is not adequately disposed of makes its way to the ocean- EVERYTHING. The insane amount of rain that southern California received this past season caused mass flooding, and all the trash in the streets made its way to the ocean. The reality of this sad fact has never been more apparent to me than when it gathered in the marina Adam and I call home.
These photos show the devastating impact of what happens when all the trash in our streets flows into the ocean. It was honestly unbelievable to see, and it was pretty disheartening to know that it was due to human beings' sheer ignorance and obliviousness. Many boaters could not take their boats out during this time, worried about the damage it would cause to their vessels.
The amount of plastic in the water was ridiculous. Hundreds of bottles, including liquor bottles, mini liquor bottles, and single-use water bottles.
What you can do:
Cabrillo Aquarium Annual Earth Day Beach Cleanup
On Saturday, April 20, 2024, Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro is hosting its annual Earth Day Beach Cleanup from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Take part in Earth Day by spending your morning making Cabrillo Beach a more beautiful place and learning about the impact of microplastics on ocean animals.
"Every piece of trash that is picked up from the beach is one less piece of trash in the ocean."
Fun fact: The first 100 volunteers who collect a bucket of trash will receive a free water bottle made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. They will even provide cleanup supplies; all you have to do is show up.
Paddle Out Plastics by Eva Cicoria
There is an inspiring story about Eva Cicoria in the RLN this month and the efforts she has made in advocating for our oceans. Drivin by her deep connection with the outdoors, she encourages others to take part in protecting ocean and marine life by using their paddleboards or kayaks to pick up trash. You can read more from her by clicking on the button below or by following her Facebook page "Paddle Out Plastics" to learn more about trash pollution in our waterways.
5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day as a Boater
In addition to regularly following "green boating" best practices, here are five ways that boaters can celebrate Earth Day this year according to DiscoverBoating.com
1. Clean Up Your Local Beaches & Waterways
Beach cleanups are often organized all across the country and beyond by the Surfrider Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, Ocean Blue Project, and other similar organizations. Likewise, a few years ago in Holland, a company called Plastic Whale, started offering two-hour “plastic fishing cruises.” These cruises are just what they sound like: People book a short cruise during which they use nets and other tools to fish plastic out of Dutch canals. In a single year, the effort can add up to more than 30,000 plastic bottles.
Why not take some friends out for a “plastic fishing cruise” on your own boat?
Take a slow spin around a local harbor;
Fish some trash out of your own favorite waterways;
Post the photos of everything you snag on social media, the same way fishermen post photos of their prize catch;
By doing so, it's possible you’ll also inspire more boaters to do the same.
2. Go for Reef-Friendly Sunscreens
Coral reefs don’t like sunscreen—in particular, they don’t like the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can contribute to coral bleaching and death. In a handful of places, including Key West, Florida, sunscreens containing these ingredients are outright banned in an attempt to protect the marine environment.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for a ban where you go boating in order to make a change. When shopping for sunscreen, you can still look for products that deliver SPF 15, 30, and 50+ protection, all the while still being free of oyxbensonze and containing no harmful chemicals such as PABA, parabens and phthalates. Many of these reef- and environment-friendly sunscreens are also made without any animal by-products or animal testing.
3. Opt for Eco-Friendly Boating Cleaning Products
“Green cleaners,” as they’re often called in chandleries and marine-supply stores, are cleaning products for boats that are formulated to minimize environmental impact. With a quick Google search for "eco-friendly boat cleaner," you'll find a wide variety range of options to choose from.
One example is West Marine's Pure Oceans Crystal Boat Soap, made with a concentrated, eco-friendly formula that works without harsh inorganic compounds or other harmful components—and it works with boat fresh or saltwater.
Another option is Star brite's Sea Safe Boat Wash, which is marketed as biodegradable. Star brite says it’s specifically formulated to be environmentally responsible—and to work on all marine surfaces, from fiberglass to rubber and vinyl.
4. Switch to Sustainable Sunglasses
Costa Sunglasses' Untangled Collection previously made our list of 5 Eco-Friendly Boating Products Making a Difference, so it's no surprise that they make another appearance here. Costa estimates that each year, almost 640,000 tons of discarded fishing nets and gear pollute our oceans.
To combat this form of ocean plastic pollution, Costa joined forces with Bureo, who work with fisherman to prevent discarded nets form polluting oceans and harming marine life. The Untangled Collection uses pellets that have been recycled down from raw material from fishing nets to mold the sunglass frames. The collection features styles for both men and women, including polarized options.
5. Purchase a 4Ocean Bracelet to Help Fund Plastic Removal from our Oceans
4ocean, an organization on a mission to end the ocean plastic crisis, hires full-time captains and crews to recover trash from ocean, rivers and coastlines. They have cleanup divisions in Florida, Bali, Haiti and Guatemala, where whatever can be recycled is turned into reusable products. Money used from the sale of some of those products goes back into helping the effort.
The 4Ocean bracelet is the best-known product offering, and it comes in all kinds of shapes and colors. There also are box sets, such as this one, containing every bracelet that was released in 2019. Since each bracelet purchase funds a pound of plastic being removed from the world’s waters, the box set contributes to 12 pounds of trash being cleaned.
Bonus Tip: Explore Electric Boat & Motor Options
Electric outboard motors are no longer a novelty item. Companies like Torqeedo, for example, offer a whole line of them, with models built to size for everything from small skiffs to dinghies to motorboats.
These electric outboards have features such as gauges that work like a car’s fuel gauge, only showing the remaining range left on the outboard’s battery. And of course, because there is no pollution from exhaust gases or oil, the engine itself makes boating safer for the environment. Not to mention quieter—an added bonus for many boaters.
A Brighter Tomorrow Starts Today
Earth Day 2024 is dedicated to the ongoing battle between plastics and the planet, calling attention to the harmful effects of plastic pollution on the environment. It serves as a reminder to individuals, businesses and governments to take action to reduce the use of single-use plastics and work towards creating a more sustainable future.
By raising awareness and encouraging meaningful change, we can all play a part in protecting the Earth and the creatures we share this beautiful space with. An even deeper obligation lies with those who live near the ocean, by ensuring we dispose of waste in a mindful and correct manner by ensuring our trash ends up in the appropriate places instead of where it has the possibility of reaching our oceans.
Gratefully,
Abbey
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