Every year on June 8, we celebrate World Oceans Day. But I doubt that celebrate is the right word for it because our oceans are increasingly endangered by our lifestyle. That is tragic, because they not only serve as a habitat for an incredible number of creatures but they also influence the climate significantly. They form a basis for all life on earth and their health should be near and dear to our hearts.
Of course it is important that the oceans and their creatures are protected on a political and global level. But we can also contribute to a better future by choosing a sustainable lifestyle every day.It is nice to see that this idea seems to have arrived in todays society.
Here are some suggestions that we can consider in our daily lives to protect ourselves and nature:
Question the way we eat: Where does our food come from? What is required to produce it? How does production and distribution affect the environment?
Analyze things of daily use: What are goods made of? What happens after use? Where do the ingredients end up and what do they do there?
How do I arrange my life? Where do I live and work? Can I shorten the distances in my everyday life and thus save resources (including time and money)?
How do I spend my free time? What do I amuse myself with and what is the result of the fun? An added value for me and the environment or not much more than garbage?
In conclusion, it is important to critically assess our consumption behavior. It would be optimal when we would consume as little as necessary. But to limit ourselves to the most necessary seems impossible in our society (the pandemic has shown me that) and so every step in the right direction is a good one and what protects our direct environment ultimately benefits the oceans too.
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