Message in a Bottle

    "Only after the last tree, has been cut down, the last river has been poisoned, the last fish caught,       

      only then will you find that money cannot be eaten."

A Cree Indian Prophesy

        
    The Pacific Ocean saw many bloodied battles throughout World War II. Thankfully, the naval ships are no longer engaged in active conflict there and the Australian spitfire squadrons flying overhead the islands are a memory. Without a doubt, a memory that will stay with us forever.

    However, there is still a battle going on there. A silent battle, one that humans have caused, but are reluctant to put a stop to.

    We live in a disposable society, one where we want our goods all nicely wrapped up in plastic from the supermarket. One where we want to drink our cold drinks on a summers day through a plastic straw and insert our tampons using a plastic applicator.

    There is public outcry when we see on our social media pages, the cruelty that is inflicted on any animals, dogs, cats, and horses for example. However, if it isn't stuck in front of our noses we hide our heads in the sand and ignore what is happening to our world.

    Marine life and birds are what I'm focusing on today. Fish of all kinds are digesting plastic pellets, which are the remnants of our plastic bottles, we drink our water, or fizzy drink from. Birds eating bottle tops, plastic cigarette lighters, their beaks being tangled in discarded fishing nets and lines. Nesting crabs taking up residence in our so called disposable polystyrene food trays, cups, along with any other trash that finds its way onto the rocks and beaches. If you're a fish-eater remember you're eating the plastic too and as yet we don't know the consequences of humans digesting plastic.

     Beaches, rivers and seas all over the world are being used as dumping grounds and the Pacific Ocean, in particular is badly polluted with our rubbish. Yes, our rubbish the stuff that belongs to all of us. Instead of throwing that plastic bottle in the ocean with a romantic message inside, we need to dispose of it responsibly and forget the romance. Because we need to start giving a hoot and don't pollute.