As if we don’t have enough motivation to conserve and protect our seas, here is yet another reason. Scientists say that tourism and the construction of numerous chemical plants have caused a water shortage in the Dead Sea. It has shrunk a third of its size in just a half a century and it is estimated that the body of water will lose another third by the year 2100. This massive water shortage is creating dangerous sinkholes along the coastline where the water used to sit. “The holes form when a subterranean salt layer that once bordered the sea is dissolved by underground fresh water that follows the receding Dead Sea waters,” explains this article. These sinkholes are so dangerous that they have trapped and killed several unsuspecting tourists. While officials have tried to rope off these areas, it is impossible to get them all. And with no clear plan to fix this problem, it looks like the Dead Sea will keep dwindling and the sinkholes will keep growing. Sadly, these types of things are preventable and yet they are still happening all over the world.

Our kids and our environment are paying a heavy price because of our arrogance. When do we step back and realize that thinking only about the present is not in our best interest? I was told a long time ago: A decision made in haste – you will have to look back on. But a decision made with thought is a decision that stands the test of time. Take a look around and it’s easy to see that we have been so busy trying to maintain the here-and-now that we have forgotten to look ahead. Only recently has everyone jumped on the “green” bandwagon. If everyone had had this eco-friendly attitude even 50 years ago and passed it on to their children and grandchildren, can you imagine what our earth would be like today? No acid rain. No global warming. No endangered species. I know it’s never going to be a perfect world, but it’s never too late to start thinking about your and your child’s future. Even if you just reuse that water bottle everyday or use energy efficient appliances, small efforts contribute to greater results – and are better than no effort at all. If we can leave the earth a better place than we found it, what better legacy could we give to our children than a healthy planet?

Despite the warning label on batteries, household cleaners, and other various items, many people still throw things out that they aren’t supposed to. These items then end up in the landfills, their toxins seeping into our drinking water and evaporating into the air. Not good! So instead of throwing out these things, why not find a recycling center near you? Earth911.com is a great resource for finding places to dispose of these items. It allows you to type in what you would like to recycle and finds the nearest recycling center for that specific item. I was surprised to find that there were so many of these places that would recycle my old stuff! Here is a small list of things that you should find a special recycling center for:

• Batteries
• Light Bulbs
• Household Cleaners
• Medicine
• Gasoline
• Paint and paint thinners

Now here’s something the Ocean Protectors would be proud to hear: NASA scientists have found a way to turn ocean temperatures and tides into electricity! The ocean’s tides and temperature allow the scientists to capture a high-pressure fluid, which can then be turned into electricity on land. There are already many different methods used to turn tides into power, but NASA’s method would be able to work on a much larger scale and would also catch more “energy” from the water’s temperature. I’m glad that NASA scientists are looking for alternate energy sources because contrary to what a lot of people think, our energy sources will not last forever. We are using them up at a rapid rate. Since the ocean’s tides are so powerful and its temperatures fluctuating so much, this hydrokinetic energy idea seems like it could be a realistic solution to our energy crisis. Let’s hope that this clean and renewable energy source concept works and can be implemented without harming our marine life!

We’ve been waiting for months for summer to arrive and now it’s finally here. The spring rain is slowly starting to subside and the weather keeps getting warmer and warmer. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to start spending some of my afternoons on the beach! While the ocean may look beautiful and inviting, it’s important to keep some safety pointers in mind before you dive in.

• Be aware of riptides.  You may be a fantastic swimmer but you’re no match for a riptide, which occurs when currents flow in opposite directions. The opening it leaves in the middle pushes you forcibly out to sea. If caught in one, don’t swim against it. You will only waste your energy. Instead, swim along the shoreline until you are out of it.
• Never swim alone. It’s always best to swim with a buddy or two so that if something happens, one can call for help. Always be sure that there is a lifeguard on duty, as well.
• Wear a life vest. Sure they might look a little silly, but this accessory can really save your life! It’s almost impossible to drown when properly wearing a certified vest.
• Never attempt to swim when red flags are out. These red flags mean that weather conditions are too dangerous for you to swim. If caught, you can get charged with a misdemeanor on some beaches.
• Don’t forget your sunscreen! Protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Even on cloudy days, you can get a painful sunburn.

With all of the disheartening talk about climate change and its negative impact on our seas, it’s reassuring to hear about one creature’s amazing ability to withstand the sea’s fluctuating temperatures. Scientists have found what they call “super reefs” off the coast of East Africa. What makes these reefs so “super”? Studies have found that this area near Tanzania experiences a higher fluctuation in currents and water temperatures than in other places. This variability in the water causes most reefs to bleach and die off. But not these super reefs. Scientists have found that these specific reefs actually sustained and grew back after a major bleaching event in 1998 that destroyed 45% of the area’s corals. It’s not completely clear why they are so resilient to the water temperature fluctuations, but their complex structures may have something to do with it.
Another reason that these beautiful creatures have adapted to the ever-changing waters is due to fishing management. Restricted commercial fishing in the area has helped sustain the fish population. Fish are critical in the survival of reefs because they eat the algae that grow on them. Without these feeder fish, the algae can suffocate the reefs. Many people don’t realize that coral reefs are one of the most endangered species in the world, which is a disastrous situation since the reefs house 25% of all marine life. While it’s sad that these creatures have to adjust to climate change, it’s wonderful that they have the special ability to adapt to their surroundings!

No way! All of us on the Duckey team are firm believers that ANYONE, regardless of age, has the ability to make an impact on the world around him or her. Still, I hear from kids who think they are too young to make a difference. Not true! Case in point? Casey Sokolovic of North Carolina. Casey, your average eleven year-old, turned her ordinary love for sea turtles into a mission to help these creatures. She even began her own organization, Help Them LAST (Love A Sea Turtle), which hosted fundraisers and sold turtle-shaped cookies to raise money for the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Casey and her organization were able to raise $2,500! If that weren’t enough, she has plenty of additional plans in the works, including starting a website, creating t-shirts, and even selling her own brand of coffee with profits being donated to the sea turtle hospital. So you see, it doesn’t matter the age of the person, it only matters the drive and determination to make a difference. Every one of us has a voice and a choice to use it to positively shape the world around us. I think Duckey put it best when he said, “Believe it, Achieve it!”

Walk into any supermarket today and you will see displays of reusable shopping bags. In an effort to cut costs and become environmentally conscious, most stores now sell bags that you can reuse in order to eliminate grocery bag waste. Many people have started carrying around the totes in an effort to “go green” but few really understand the importance of why we need to do away with plastic bags. Americans use over 300 billion plastic bags per year. Most of these bags don’t get recycled and instead end up in our landfills and oceans. It takes 1,000 years for one plastic bag to fully break down and as it does, it breaks down into toxic pieces, which contaminate the soil, water, and many animals’ food. Plastic bags are one of the most common items of debris on coastlines and pose a serious problem for wildlife. Millions of animals, specifically marine animals, die every year from ingesting or getting tangled in the bags. Due to the dangers to the environment, San Francisco has banned plastic bags, and many countries have done the same. It may seem inconvenient to opt for a reusable bag, but think of all the wildlife that will be spared. It’s time that we step up to the plate and start limiting our plastic bag usage. We owe that to our planet!

Earth Day will be celebrated all over the world this year on April 22nd. It’s a day when we celebrate nature and educate ourselves on ways to help preserve the earth.  There are so many fun things you can do with the kids on Earth Day, so don’t let the day go to waste! Here are a few ideas:

• Turn trash into recycled crafts like a tin can planter or milk carton bird feeder!
• Check out an environmental book from the library, such as “Duckey and the Ocean Protectors“, which teaches kids to appreciate and protect the environment.
• Color pictures!
• Take a trip to the local zoo. Have the kids read the signs at each exhibit so that they can appreciate the importance of each animal in our planet’s ecosystem.
• Go see the movie, Earth. Not only does this look like a great movie, but Disney plans to plant a tree for every ticket sold opening weekend.
• Plant your own tree with the family.

Earth Day can be educational and entertaining, so why not participate? You can teach the kids a lot about the world around us by having them take part in environmental holidays!