What is waste? Our throw away - out of sight out of mind lifestyle is causing environmental harm to other species and even human habitat in developing and even developed countries like our own country Australia is not exempt. Our waste becomes pollution when it escapes in the natural systems where it may not always contribute to a healthy environment.
Plastic pollution is causing incredible damage to the marine environment and its creatures as well as our terrestrial animals and birds.
Who pays for this pollution and future management? How to we measure the cost and impact of our discarded items?
Some animals pay with their lives, volunteers give freely of their time including community groups, not-for-profit organizations and conservancy groups.
DID YOU MAKE A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION? IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO
turn over a new leaf and reflect on your actions. Reducing your waste will help you and
have a global impact (even if you don't see how).
Although Australia did not take part in the OCEAN CONSERVANCY clean up of ocean debris our rubbish or waste would have been picked up by the ocean currents and also winds. Check out the data provided here and note the top ten items in order - cigarettes, caps/lids, plastic drink bottles, plastic bags, food wrappers /containers, cutlery items, glass drink bottles, straws, drink cans, paper bags.
In Australia we have the Keep Australia Beautiful with a Queensland group, Cleanup Australia whose website currently has security issues. Locally in South East Queensland Healthy Waterways works collaboratively with government, industry, researchers and the community to monitor the water quality of rivers and the bay. See their resources here.
Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) represents the many conservation groups throughout Queensland and leads state wide campaigns.
Click on the image at left to go to the campaign page to
There has been a decade-long decline in the health of the Bay and the waterways that flow into it. Both Queensland's politicians and citizens need to understand how important it is to invest in the health of our waterways ie rivers, creeks, wetlands and bays right now.
We can all do someting no matter how small or insignificant we think it is. A committment to rethink and reduce your personal waste stream will contribute to a better and healthier place to live.
There are many possible actions - pick one if you are new to the idea or challenge yourself to do several. Join a group if you need support or encouragement.
Three special environmental days of awareness coming up in this
2013 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WATER COOPERATION
World Wetlands Day celebrated internationally each year on 2 February to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.
Australia Clean up Day Sunday 3rd March 2013
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.