This post is written for the “Save the Ocean” group-writing project by kristarella, a blogger from Australia (a beautiful country surrounded by ocean!). You can find out more about her here.

Our oceans are vast, beautiful and teeming with life. Without water on earth life as we know it would not exist. If we’re to continue to enjoy the beauty and resources of our waters, we need to treat them properly.

Do you think twice when you see rubbish littering the streets, gutters, storm water ways or beaches? If so, do you do anything about it? Do you leave things behind because you can’t see a bin, it’s too far away or it’s overflowing?

If you do put rubbish in the right place then I commend you! Sadly, I don’t think the majority of people do. They couldn’t possibly with the amount of garbage that lines our earth.

Image credit: Alex Hofford/Greenpeace.

We’re all busy people. We have so many things handed to us on a platter, or a digital device, or something equally convenient. We don’t like to be inconvenienced. How inconvenient do you think it will be when our waters are poisoned or the earth’s animals are hurt by our carelessness?

We don’t only toss useless rubbish, but we throw away reusable items for a newer, cleaner, faster, flashier version. Out with the old, in with the new!

I can’t claim perfection. I’ve left things behind because there are no bins provided, or stepped over things because they’re not mine. I also love getting a new phone, computer, clothes and more. How much less trashy could our cities, waterways and oceans be if we took a moment (only one!) to pick something up, pass something on, recycle and reuse?

Opt out of this throw away culture!

Some links that might help:

• 14 Ways to create less trash @ The Giving Hands
• 10 Ways to green your gifts @ The Giving Hands
• Items you never thought to recycle @ DumbLittleMan

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!