It is said that it takes 28 days to break a bad habit. Often, subconscious decisions and day-to-day habits have an impact that reaches from our homes, cities and jobs and impacts the oceans, ecosystems and planet that we share.
The Two Oceans Aquarium has come up with an initiative that will challenge those who join in to change just one small habit every day for 28 days, which will eventually lead to a better impact on the ocean.
‘Join us for a 28 Day Challenge to make small changes in your life that have big positive impacts on the environment. Every day we’ll be giving you another small habit to break, and vital info on just why that small change is so valuable,’ the Aquarium says.
We can each make small changes in our lives that will lead to a better future for the planet.
At the end of the 28 days, it will be up to you to decide which of these habits you choose to carry on with for a more sustainable (and often healthier and more affordable) lifestyle.
‘We have all seen evidence of the global devastation caused by plastic pollution, climate change, habitat degradation and loss, and species at risk of extinction, which are generally caused by our behaviour and consumption habits. We know that our lifestyles are at least partially to blame for this destruction, yet, so often, we feel overwhelmed and don’t quite know where to start to make a positive difference,’ the Aquarium continues.
Even if you feel disconnected from the oceans, these environmental issues have very real effects on you personally. Air pollution is raising the rate of lung disease in adults and children, you consume (and even breathe) thousands of microplastic particles without knowing it, warming temperatures are causing increased mental health issues, plants are become less nutritious due to increased CO2, and most noticeably – the prices of the foods you know and love are increasing, while the quality and diversity of what is available decreases.
The 51 trillion pieces of plastic currently littering our oceans, killing millions of animals every year and having unknown effects on all levels of the food chain (we humans included) are the true cost of many of our minor conveniences. But ocean plastic, just like climate change, deforestation and species loss can all be linked to our households – you are as empowered to fight this harm, as you are to create it.
To sign up for the 28-day challenge, click here.
Picture: Unsplash
