So, I had a post all drafted and ready to post for today about how to protect your hair while playing in the ocean. I decided that could wait, because today I have something much more important on my mind. This morning I came across this article, take a second to go over and give it a read.

Now that you've read it lets chat. Reading that article brought tears to my eyes. Can you imagine? 88 pounds of plastic inside a living being?!

As a lover of the ocean this makes my heart hurt. As a traveler this makes my heart hurt. As a human this makes my heart hurt. We as humans are killing the beautiful creatures, not only of the ocean, but of this planet. We are killing the inhabitants of this planet and abusing it's resources all in the name of convenience. Plastic is a huge threat to Mama Earth, but it isn't the only threat. We create such an excess of waste as a result of our desire for convenience.

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.

I have to do better.

You have to do better.

Our parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles have to do better.

Our politicians have to do better.

There is no time like the present. Change starts with every single one of us, and it starts small. We have all heard the preaching- stop using plastic straws, bring your own bag, bring your own cup. These all seem like such small things and in the grand scheme of things they are small, but they are a step in the right direction. They are a starting point.

So what other steps can we take?

We as consumers can vote with our dollar. We can choose to buy products and support business that are local, that use sustainable materials, that give back. We can buy clothing of quality and stop buying into fast fashion. We can buy produce that is not pre cut, therefor getting rid of the unnecessary plastic packaging.

Support organizations that are doing positive work. Volunteer for them, make a donation, use them to gather research and educate yourself. The beauty of social media and the internet is that we have a wealth of resources at the tips of our fingers.

Email your representatives. This can sound a little daunting, but it doesn't have to be. A lot of times organizations you support offer the resources to easily speak to your representatives about your concerns. Surfrider for example, makes it super easy to send an email right to your representatives of Congress. Just enter your name and address and Surfrider will send off your email to the appropriate representatives. I have recently emailed my representatives regarding keeping funding for the EPA and NOAA, with the help of Surfrider (you can too, here. Or check our the other issues that are threatening our coasts, here.) We are privileged to have a voice, we should be using it.

At the end of the day, the list of things we could do to create change goes on and on. It can feel incredibly overwhelming. So, today, pick one thing. One thing that you can do today that will create a positive change. Then do it again tomorrow, and then all week. Then, next week, add in another positive change.

Mama Earth has already been crying for help with fires and floods. It's time we all listen.

We Have To Do Better for Our Planet