Themarine environment is, of all ecosystems, the one that is suffering the most from climate change and high levels of man-made pollution. Seas cover three-quarters of the Earth’s surface and absorb all poisons produced on Earth. This is causing theextinction of many marine species and increasing levels of alteration in the aquatic environment.
With the arrival of summer and vacations, on average, more than half of Italians choose the sea as a tourist destination. The coasts of Abruzzo and Lazio are populated with thousands of bathers who flock to the beaches, dive into the water, organize boat trips and diving. While it is true that it is very difficult, almost impossible, to give up a beach vacation, it is also true that there are rules and behaviors that can limit our impact on the marine environment. We must remember to be “guests” and care for the environment in which we live and focus on everyone’s responsible behavior to become a true eco-bather.
Here is a practical decalogue of ten simple rules and behaviors to help our “sea planet” and respect the environment
- The beach is not a dumping ground. Every scrap and waste must be collected and thrown into the appropriate containers. The environment cannot dispose of items that are abandoned on the ground or in the sea, and their impact on the ecosystem is very harmful. Decomposition times are extremely long, here are some examples:
– An aluminum soda can 500 years
– The core of an apple 3-6 months
– Matches or matches 6 months
– Newspapers and magazines 2 months
– A glass bottle 1000 years
– A plastic bottle or bag 1000 years
– Plastic lighter 100-1000 years
– A disposable diaper about 200 years
– Paper handkerchiefs and napkins 3 months - Pay attention to plastic bags. All it takes is a gust of wind to blow them away, and ending up in the water they pose a real deadly threat to animals: dolphins, turtles and many other species can in fact mistake them for jellyfish and, by ingesting them, risk suffocating.
- Try not to walk on sand dunes. These dunes in fact protect the beach from erosion; they represent a shield. It is therefore good to avoid walking on them.
- Smoking on the beach is allowed, but it is good to be responsible smokers. Once the cigarette is finished, it is good to put the butts back in ashtrays. Portable ones exist on the market; almost all umbrellas are equipped with them. A cigarette butt takes 2 to 5 years to decompose; a small gesture can make all the difference.
- If you want to indulge in swimming in the sea, remember to use environmentally friendly, mineral-based sunscreens. In fact, traditional creams contain a substance that, when dissolved in water, damages the marine ecosystem and corals in particular.
- Shower at the beach and on the boat using only shampoos and bubble baths made with 100 percent natural ingredients-some substances used by traditional soaps are highly polluting to the sea and its inhabitants.
- Do not collect seashells, corals and shells: what are too often considered marine “souvenirs” are actually natural assets and vital parts of the ecosystem.
- For those who go boating, it is good to carefully observe the limits imposed by the harbormaster’s office, both for safety issues and for respect of the environment. It is essential to check that the boat has no leaks and that no fuel is leaking, which has extremely negative effects on the entire environment.
- Limit noise pollution, caused by long running engines, cackling, and loud stereos and radios: in addition to annoying beach umbrella neighbors, they will disturb birds in the vicinity of shorelines.
- Education is contagious: if behavior is noticed in another bather that may cause damage to the environment, it is good to point it out to them, at least to limit the damage and make them more aware.
