What pollution is impacting the ocean? - Lesson Five
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Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Lesson 5 – How do we tackle the problem?
This lesson discusses the ways in which we can tackle the issue of pollution.
Learning activities:
Research and discuss ways to reduce plastic pollution.
Identify ways to create change.
Instructions
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2022
Items in this lesson
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This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. Ocean pollution is one issue Sea Shepherd is working on to help stop marine wildlife dying.
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During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
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In previous lessons we looked at the different types of pollution.
We discussed that pollution could be:
- Solid waste – such as plastics, glass and metals.
- Noise pollution – sounds from ships, coastal development.
- Water pollution – liquids like chemicals, fertilisers and oils.
We discussed that pollution could be:
- Solid waste – such as plastics, glass and metals.
- Noise pollution – sounds from ships, coastal development.
- Water pollution – liquids like chemicals, fertilisers and oils.
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How do you think governments are trying to deal with these issues, and what do you think they could do?
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Some areas the government could implement changes, discuss with students:
Ban single use plastics – like plastic bags.
Encourage the use of ecofriendly products and plastic alternatives.
Invest in waste management infrastructure for countries that don’t have this.
Conduct research to develop non toxic materials that are compostable.
Develop new ways to improve recycling rates.
Look at ways to stop people littering – education and awareness, or fines.
Fund methods to remove waste from the ocean.
Implement stronger laws or monitoring to stop ships from littering.
Improving farming methods to reduce chemical run off.
Ban single use plastics – like plastic bags.
Encourage the use of ecofriendly products and plastic alternatives.
Invest in waste management infrastructure for countries that don’t have this.
Conduct research to develop non toxic materials that are compostable.
Develop new ways to improve recycling rates.
Look at ways to stop people littering – education and awareness, or fines.
Fund methods to remove waste from the ocean.
Implement stronger laws or monitoring to stop ships from littering.
Improving farming methods to reduce chemical run off.
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Discuss these ideas with students – what would you do, how could it work, what could be potential problems:
Implement measures to stop fishing vessels dumping nets.
Create measures to ensure the fishing industry does track and retrieve lost nets.
Implement measures to stop fishing vessels dumping nets.
Create measures to ensure the fishing industry does track and retrieve lost nets.
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What about our actions, as consumers. What actions could we take?
Refuse – Say no when offered a straw or plastic bag.
Reduce - if you don’t really need it or if something will harm the environment don’t use it. Reducing our use of single use plastic products reduces the risk it will end up in the ocean.
Reuse - Instead of single use plastic products that end up in the ocean it is better to choose reusable items.
Restrict - While it may not be avoidable to buy some items in plastic, buying the bulk version and not multi-packs will help. For example, juice boxes or chips.
Refuse – Say no when offered a straw or plastic bag.
Reduce - if you don’t really need it or if something will harm the environment don’t use it. Reducing our use of single use plastic products reduces the risk it will end up in the ocean.
Reuse - Instead of single use plastic products that end up in the ocean it is better to choose reusable items.
Restrict - While it may not be avoidable to buy some items in plastic, buying the bulk version and not multi-packs will help. For example, juice boxes or chips.
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Discuss with students what they can do with items that are broken or they no longer need.
What do we do with items that are broken or damaged:
First try to repair – why buy new when you can simply learn how to repair things.
Second repurpose – if you can’t repair an item then think of new ways you can use it. Old sheets and clothes for example can be used to make pouches for orphaned/injured wildlife.
Thirdly refinish – would a new coat of paint or polish make it useable again.
What we do with items we no longer need:
Rehome - if an item is in good condition but you don’t need or want it anymore, like toys you have outgrown. Then they could be cleanup up and donated to a charity for someone who has very little, they can be sold/swapped at swap markets, or host your own swaps with family and friends.
Recycle - can’t repurpose or repair it, then recycle as much as you can. Make sure you separate out your rubbish between what can go into the compost bin, recycling bin and normal waste. The less you send to landfill the better, especially plastics.
Some plastics can be returned to stores for recycling, like ink cartridges. Others may be donated to special programs where they can be converted for 3D printing. For instance, programs to make items that help communities, like making artificial limbs.
Only 9% of the plastic produced is estimated to be recycled.
What do we do with items that are broken or damaged:
First try to repair – why buy new when you can simply learn how to repair things.
Second repurpose – if you can’t repair an item then think of new ways you can use it. Old sheets and clothes for example can be used to make pouches for orphaned/injured wildlife.
Thirdly refinish – would a new coat of paint or polish make it useable again.
What we do with items we no longer need:
Rehome - if an item is in good condition but you don’t need or want it anymore, like toys you have outgrown. Then they could be cleanup up and donated to a charity for someone who has very little, they can be sold/swapped at swap markets, or host your own swaps with family and friends.
Recycle - can’t repurpose or repair it, then recycle as much as you can. Make sure you separate out your rubbish between what can go into the compost bin, recycling bin and normal waste. The less you send to landfill the better, especially plastics.
Some plastics can be returned to stores for recycling, like ink cartridges. Others may be donated to special programs where they can be converted for 3D printing. For instance, programs to make items that help communities, like making artificial limbs.
Only 9% of the plastic produced is estimated to be recycled.
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Discuss with students how we can recover pollution already in the ocean ecosystem, like plastic waste.
What we do with waste / marine debris found on land or in the ocean:
Remove rubbish from parks, schoolyards and beaches. Every bit you pick up helps prevent rubbish from ending up in drains and waterways and ultimately in the ocean.
Help recover marine debris from waterways and the ocean. Join in dives to remove rubbish from around jetties / piers, reef systems or the seafloor.
Note – ensure you obey the laws as some areas have restrictions on removing rubbish, like fishing nets, to ensure the reef or ecosystem is not damaged.
What we do with waste / marine debris found on land or in the ocean:
Remove rubbish from parks, schoolyards and beaches. Every bit you pick up helps prevent rubbish from ending up in drains and waterways and ultimately in the ocean.
Help recover marine debris from waterways and the ocean. Join in dives to remove rubbish from around jetties / piers, reef systems or the seafloor.
Note – ensure you obey the laws as some areas have restrictions on removing rubbish, like fishing nets, to ensure the reef or ecosystem is not damaged.
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Refer Teachers Guide for Learning Activities.
