Today is World Environment Day – an opportunity to highlight the serious challenges we face in living sustainably, and some solutions, too.

Says the United Nations, "Many of the Earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development. By 2050, if current consumption and production patterns remain the same and with a rising population expected to reach 9.6-billion, we will need three planets to sustain our ways of living and consumption."

The tagline for this year's World Environment Day is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Handle With Care", and that's not a bad message to keep in mind. We have to live within our means, and consume with care, if we want to continue to prosper as a species. Increased use of natural resources and the damage to the environment that this often causes is not a necessary by-product of economic growth. There are alternatives.  

On an individual level, there are always actions – however small they may seem – that we can do all to help the environment. Here are the ones that we like to champion at the Two Oceans Aquarium:

Most plastic shopping bags end up in landfill or in the sea where they are often swallowed by animals. These animals suffer a terrible and slow death, after which the plastic bag still remains in the environment. Choose a beautiful reusable fabric shopper and say “No thanks!” the next time the cashier asks if you would like to buy a plastic bag.

Straws are one of the most common rubbish items found on our beaches. Much like plastic bags, straws are often swallowed by marine creatures, resulting in blockages that ultimately cause death. Refuse this luxury item next time you buy a cold drink or milkshake. You’ll be surprised by how unnecessary it is.

South African tap water is safe to drink and among the best in the world! Often, bottled water is no different from tap water. Bottled water is sold at a premium due to the apparent convenience, but the result is just more unnecessary plastic waste that ends up in the environment. Keep a reusable bottle handy and fill it from a tap or water cooler.

See all of our environmental campaigns here.

Alternatively, use this day to simply visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, and learn about the ocean environment. As Senegalese forestry engineer Baba Dioum said, “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.”

Tickets are available online, and you can also make an online donation and help support our conservation efforts.