Recently I stumbled upon an article that not only broke my heart, but made me feel ashamed to be human. Did you know that we, the supposedly most intelligent species on earth, have been playing God? Yup, we have managed to create our very own sea, the Sea of Plastic. Out in the Caribbean, supposedly one of the most beautiful places on earth, lies our waste. And oh what a waste!

That cocktail you had this weekend, your straw is in the ocean. That big plastic bag that was once filled with your groceries, is now tangled around an endangered fish. Are your ears clean? Plastic ear buds float on the ocean top, defiling waters that were once so clean. Yes, I am pointing fingers, but they're pointing right back at me too. I sit here with a guilty conscience. 

This photo was taken by  Caroline Power, an underwater photographer. Her photos have brought to light the ignorance of the human race. On a recent trip to the Caribbean, this sight is what came into focus on the lens of her camera. 

Caroline said they passed through floating garbage for “nearly five miles”, adding: “Everywhere we looked, plastic bags of all shapes and sizes: chip bags, ziplocks, grocery, trash, snack bags, other packaging. Some were whole and the rest were just pieces. Sadly, many turtles, fish, whales, and seabirds will mistake those bits of plastic for food.   

“We then reached an area about two miles wide that had multiple trash lines that stretched from horizon to horizon"

“There was also a seemingly infinite number of plastic forks, spoons, drink bottles, and plates. There were broken soccer balls, toothbrushes, a tv, and so many shoes and flip flops.” 

Can you imagine? Litter strewn for MILES! Our litter! My son's snack bags, my chip packets, my entire life in ruins! I made this mark on the earth!

 Rubbish in the Caribbean Sea CREDIT: CAROLINE POWER PHOTOGRAPHY 

THIS IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL!!!

It's not too late to make a difference. We can salvage what we can of this world and still keep it beautiful for our children! Educate yourself and help us to destroy this hideous man-made ocean.

Here's what you can do to save our ocean and its creatures:

1. Avoid using plastic cutlery. You can now purchase wooden spoons and forks at your local grocery store.
2. STOP using straws, they are one of the biggest culprits found in the plastic ocean.
3. Clean your ears with wooden earbuds only.
4. Choose paper over plastic at your grocery store, or better yet, bring along your own fabric bag.
5. No more balloons!
6. If you must use plastic, recycle it after use!
7. Teach your children how to respect and care for the ocean.
8. Visit your local beach on the weekends and pick up litter.
9. Use earth friendly and biodegradable products as often as you can.
10. STOP BEING IGNORANT!

It's time to take this seriously. Be the example. Show the rest of the human race how it is done. Run your businesses according to the 10 points above, educators, make this list a priority on your classrooms. Parents, raise children who love their earth, who respect it enough to change their lifestyles to save it. Say NO to plastic. My plea to you - my promise to myself.

Much love - @sweetpea

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