This post is written for the “Save the Ocean” group-writing project by tears in heaven, a young enthusiast who is a Marine Biology undergraduate who occasionally finds passion in promoting and writing for charity, environment, events and animals. She is currently working on a climate change-associated research regarding coral health. She hopes to reveal some interesting findings about the much-debated environmental issue in promoting public awareness.

We are often captured in awe by the essence of ocean’s dwellers. There are the various taxa of organism - algae, crustaceans, annelids, Gorgonians, fishes, reptiles, mammals and the back-dated coral reefs mostly in temperate and tropical regions.

Image credit: WBM Enterprises.

Through the lens of famous documentaries to colourful pictures captured at magnificent moments seen in magazines, they display an extravagant underwater gallery to the world. People all around the globe are amazed with the beauty that lies within the mysterious world from the revelation.

Image credit: tears in heaven.

Definitely, everybody is aware of the current global warming issues. There are numerous articles and websites encouraging people to conserve the usage of energy. Mostly focusing on electrical appliances (heater, lights, etc.), waste, transportation and food. So, I will not linger on, on what has been the norm of what public speaks.

What makes us think that any of our activities have an impact towards the majority constituent of Earth’s resources? Little do we know of the answers to that unless we would adhere some attention towards the current “hot” global trend.

Image credit: tears in heaven.

The tourism industry is growing, inviting more tourists to pollute and destroy marine life. The main interest lies in the amount of tourists visiting. Modernized water transportation in some countries is doubling every year just for fetching purposes. Don’t forget the energy usage to be estimated per island — there are hotels and resorts with ongoing electricity, freshwater supply, heaters, etc. for the comfort of their guests. Yes, a lot of money-making to benefit the country financially but, how sustainable is this when all the beautiful attraction dies away as a result of pollution? Transportation needed limitation and a strategic planning to restrict the fuel usage along with other ships on sail.

Perhaps organize an eco-friendly vacation, such as a walk to the nearest beach instead or change your designations to mountain climbing or a picnic by the lake. I’m sure that will save you from digging your pockets clean The next time you are staying in hotels or resorts, try not to maximize the basic facilities provided just to compensate the money paid – i.e. leaving the lights, fans and air-conditioner on.

Just follow this example from Seri Malaysia Hotel, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Not only the detergents, but also the generated washing machine should be considered here. I’m glad that some hotels still take initiatives to befriend the environment in their policy.

Image credit: tears in heaven.

Whilst there are more promotional flights available at our finger tips, less knowledge are sought on the impact of frequent air traveling would actually speed up the process. Do you really NEED to fly that much? What more to say about land transport then? We have train transits, commuters and other motorized vehicles. They all contribute the same damaging effect by excessive fuel usage thus, accumulating carbon in the atmosphere.

Car-pooling should be practiced among the community today — to accommodate for the lack of awareness and also to minimize gasoline usage. Plus, traveling around with a bicycle or walking around is much healthier with the hectic lifestyle nowadays. Consider it as a part of your daily exercise — Japanese are way ahead of us in this aspect.

So, giddy up!!

Ever since the industrial era started to occupy huge chunks of global business trends, the effect has been horrendous. Releasing gases which is trapped in the atmosphere and illegal chemical dumping becomes a “forever phenomenon”. Open burning in neighbourhoods is taken lightly by authorities concerned. They irresponsibly neglect the consequences of one open burning per household in a day per neighbourhood. What if we converted them to per state in a single year? Or per country in a decade?? Only God foresees what will happen to the entire globe.

Be a responsible neighbour in your residential area and help manage waste in a proper manner. Ask the authorities (or you could pressure them) to curb illegal burning. Every bit helps in energy conservation.

Maybe conserving energy for the ocean to you had not meant anything of importance because you still have access to the fishes and seafood from the seas. Yes, marine resources has become an important source both economically and socially. However, ample development manifesto adjoined with unsustainable planning creats a dynamic derivation from the normal marine livelihood which includes the ecology of major carbonate formation-coral reefs.

Have knowledge on what you had loved to discover in the seas. See to their beauty not only physically but also biologically. What you don’t know might have hurt them.

Ever realize what’s the predominant role our ocean is playing every single second? They are the biggest carbon dioxide sink for us; consuming each and every burden trying to flatten out the accumulation of disproportionate gas production. Now, the yin and yang flow no longer works due to the mass carbon production from land which increases at a greater rate than what the ocean can deter.

These further disturb the most basic application in marine life — the food chain. From the top consumers (mammals) to the lowest photosynthesizing producers (algae); all these marine inhabitants have been living symbiotically with one another for decades. They had proven inter- and intra-surviving capability with each other’s companionship since their ancestors had imprinted their genes. All these occupants of the marine environment had contributed towards the biomass production symbiotically in sustaining the whole marine ecosystem. With the intrusion putting the organism to test, surely the cycle would be affected and the survival means are in doubt.

So, what’s left to eat when there’s none left anymore?

Image credit: WBM Enterprises.

Do you want to be left with only the skeletons of these vanishing hard corals?

Image credit: tears in heaven.

In future, would you prefer to see them kept and displayed only in aquaria?

Image credit: tears in heaven.

Intentionally or not, each of us contribute towards ocean life’s degradation enormously. Try out the Carbon Dioxide Calculator in case you doubt yourself! I’m sure you have heard of it this interesting guide to our lifestyle

• Calculate your Impact
• Carbon Calculator

Conserving energy for the forest and for the ocean is equally important for life on Earth.
Let’s go back to the basics & live the life we once had.

January 2008 is “Save the Ocean” month here at The Giving Hands. Click here for more information on how you too, can save our oceans, and remember to subscribe to The Giving Hands for your daily updates!