Do you know that the best way to destroy a thing is to not maintain it or fix it when it starts to develop faults? This holds true for relationships(when a problem isn’t addressed, it becomes even bigger), material things like cars and houses will begin to deteriorate if not properly maintained. Taking care of our planet is a shared responsibility that I strongly believe each and every one of us should embrace. It doesn't have to be something we do on a special occasion but by cultivating a conscious mindset and making small changes in our daily lives we can actually live the talk.
The ecosystem is interconnected and unless we realize this and play our part in protecting it, we would be destroying the planet by not doing anything.

Approximately 50% of our oxygen supply comes from the oceans and this just emphasizes on the fact that the ecosystem is interconnected and that the phytoplanktons on the water bodies we see play a vital role too in preserving our ecosystem.

Oceanic organisms, such as phytoplankton, are responsible for generating a significant portion of our oxygen through photosynthesis. These microscopic plants use the power of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, playing a critical role in maintaining atmospheric balance. But let's not forget that marine animals, from fish to whales, also rely on oxygen to survive. As they respire, they consume oxygen too.

Human activities, such as pollution is a threat to the
equilibrium of our oceans and the atmospheric oxygen.

Yogendra Singh-Pexels

As we dispose harmful substances (fertilizer and toxic substances which destroy the nutrient balance) into the water and release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, we disrupt the natural processes that regulate oxygen production and consumption. Plastic wastes too which float on water bodies become a barrier to photosynthesis of phytoplankton, thereby reducing the abundance of oxygen generating organisms in water bodies

So, what can we do to contribute to the well-being of our oceans and ensure a healthy supply of oxygen in the atmosphere?

The answer is simple: adopt environmentally conscious habits. Here are some of my suggestions:

1. Reduce single-use plastics: Plastics are everywhere, and are the major cause of ocean pollution globally and the best way to reduce them in the environment is to reduce their use. We can cut down our need to use such plastics like straws, bags, and bottles, and help prevent them from ending up in the ocean and harming marine life. A good way to do this is by getting a reusable water bottle so you don’t need to buy water in plastic all the time. In Nigeria, we buy water in sachets like the one in the picture below and they end up being littered all over the environment.

You can also filter your water or purify as you wish and save money from having to buy water all the time in more plastics. Other alternatives for plastics can also be adopted such as bamboo bags for shopping, bamboo crates and other environmentally friendly products.

2. Proper waste disposal: Dispose of waste responsibly, ensuring that it doesn't end up in water bodies. I like to hold a big purse that can accommodate any waste I can’t properly dispose until I get a proper trash can for it. Sometimes I forget to get these trash out of my purse or car for days 😂 but that’s beside the point. Be responsible. Especially my Nigerian friends, don’t throw things in the roadside because it’s the norm, be the change.

3. Recycle whenever possible and educate others about the importance of waste management: I have a sack where aluminum cans go and one for plastic bottles that I keep behind my house. The aluminum cans are sold whenever the sack is filled and I give out the plastic cans to women who sterilize and use them to store their home-made drinks

4. Participate in beach and environmental clean-ups: Join local initiatives like the one organized by @cleanplanet or organize clean-ups in your community. By removing trash from gutters and the street, we prevent it from entering the water bodies and causing harm to marine life. It’s sad that many people have turned the rivers and oceans to dumping grounds. Last year, we had difficulty in finding a proper way to dispose waste in my neighborhood and I had to drive for about 5 minutes with our waste to a location where a government disposal truck comes to pick it up. When I got tired of driving with a stench in my car, I decided to ask my neighbor how she disposed hers, and she said she simply took it to the river that’s in the neighborhood. It was a sad reality that many people practiced this. Some don’t even waste their time to take it to the rivers, they simply leave it in gutters and wait for the rains to wash it to the rivers

5. Spread awareness: Educate yourself and others about the importance of ocean conservation and the role of oxygen in sustaining life. When my neighbor told about her disposal method, I immediately educated her and even volunteered to help dispose her waste too( more stench) until we got a proper disposal method the following month. You cannot save the planet alone, please share your knowledge and inspire others to take action.

Remember, every action counts, no matter how small and if we all consciously make effort to protect our planet, we will do just that. Remember, there is no PLANet B!

If you made it this far, thanks for reading!
All content is mine except stated otherwise