Our Daily Ocean: Day 184

On Earth Day, I hesitantly went to Wrightsville Beach to do an Earth Day Beach Cleanup.  I say "hesitantly" because the weather here had been really warm (almost summer-like), but over the weekend cold weather settled in with a chill.  But as uncomfortable as I was with the lack of warmth... Earth Day is the day to get out, explore, rethink, and do more.  So with my hoodie pulled tight to keep my ears warm, I began walking the beach and remembering my commitment.

Just as the New Year is a time to make resolutions, Earth Day is a day to resolve to do more to help protect and restore the world we live in.  It's important to take the time to remember (or even to learn) that we are all connected on this planet... and that what is bad for the planet is bad for us.  And what is inherently bad for us is bad for the planet.  Nothing is separate.  The air we breath is connected to the water we drink and the water we drink is connected to the earth on which we stand. 

 One thing that I haven't shared much about (or at all) on here is the local effort to help protect our air, water and children from the development of a cement plant in my area.  It's a grassroots effort that has been going strong for 5 years now and it's important that our community continues to stand strong stopping Titan for the health of our children, our families, our air and our water.  

On Sunday, April 28 @ 2:30pm come join the Stop Titan community at Tidal Creek Coop.  There'll be live music, speakers and good company.  For more info about the event: 

STANDING STRONG-- STOPPING TITAN

"Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the world a better place?'  It will only be time wasted.  The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?'  To that there is an answer." 

~ Leo Buscaglia

20 minutes on April 22, 2013 at Access 29

Litter by weight: 1 lb

Cigarette butts: 23

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 184 days:

54,912

Our Daily Ocean: Day 183

At the beginning of March, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to help kick-off "No Impact Week Greensboro" by giving a joint presentation on plastics and plastic-free living with Beth Terry and Bonnie Monteleone.   I have yet to share about the experience here... but I will soon because it was an amazing experience for me on so many levels.  One of the best parts of sharing what I do is connecting with like-minded people, inspiring them to do more and making new friends.  On Friday, (thanks to that event in Greensboro) I met Marie with her baby on her back and her 2 year old daughter in hand!

Marie was visiting Wilmington over the weekend and had emailed me to see if we could meet at Wrightsville Beach to do a beach clean up.  ABSOLUTELY!  I can't say enough how much I love having company with me at the beach.  Doing a beach clean up together is a great way to connect and make new friends.  Which by the way, all of the friends that I've made is my most favorite thing about having started these beach cleanups.

I'm also grateful for the insight that doing beach cleanups has given me about my own purchasing habits and the power I have to help create change.  Fed up with seeing the same products strewn all over Wrightsville Beach day after day, I've made personal changes to become part of the solution.  Plastic isn't so fantastic when it's used for mere minutes and thrown out.  There's an easy solution to plastic straws.  My personal solution is to say: "No straws please".  It takes practice, but it's really that easy.  Another solution is to use reusable straws.  Check out GlassDharma and Strawesome

Teaching future generations to care for our planet is another solution.

Kids of any age can help clean up our world.  Teach them to care for the places they love by doing a little clean up at their favorite park or beach.  

Cleanups are an easy way for kids to get involved in making a difference in our world.

...and that's exciting to be a part of.

20 minutes on April 19, 2013 at Access 16

Litter by weight: 1 lb 1.7 oz

Cigarette butts: 100

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 183 days:

54,889

Our Daily Ocean: Day 182

The temperatures pushed past 80˚ today and as my kids spent their afternoon at Airlie Gardens doing their science class... I made my way to our adopted beach access at Wrightsville Beach.  It's been what seems like forever (January 15) since I've been to Access 36 as I'm usually pretty tight on the amount of time I have... but today I had an abundance of time!

There's some big changes happening at Wrightsville Beach including the rebuilding of the weather-worn Crystal Pier.  Since the pier has been a part of Wrightsville Beach for over 70 years, I'm super happy that the pier is being repaired and rebuilt even though I'm not a fan of the litter that blows off the pier from Oceanic restaurant.  (hoping this year will be different!)

At least one thing will be different this year... and not to get excited too early... but today I had a record low cigarette butt count!!  25 cigarette butts in 20 minutes!  Ok... ok... I know peak season isn't here just yet... but I'm happy nonetheless.  Only time will tell if the smoke-free beach ordinance continually helps to significantly reduce cigarette litter at Wrightsville Beach.  I'm optimistic :)

20 minutes on April 9, 2013 at Access 36

Litter by weight: 1 lb 6 oz
Cigarette butts: 25

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 182 days:

54,789