|
 
|
Let's work on something closer to home which we can influence more easily. We live near a beach so I'll start here but you have similar opportunities anywhere. Every Summer especially on the Fourth of July, death traps are innocently and accidentally set for sea turtles, birds, and other wild animals. The beach is littered with plastic bags and cups which sea turtles mistake for jelly fish. Their systems become clogged with indigestible plastic which kills the turtles. Fishing line, kite string, etc. become tangled webs to trap birds and animals. Small animals and birds poke their heads through discarded plastic circles which connected bottles in packs of drinks. Often wildlife cannot get free. Some of them choke to death when the plastic snags something or when the small creatures grow larger. (Several years ago, a guest speaker at a girl scout meeting introduced me to this information. I didn't like to see the beach littered but I had no idea of the harm it does.)
Most beaches, parks, etc. have many places for us to deposit our own trash and trash left by others. Yes, we often pick up the trash left by others. Kids treat it almost like an Easter egg hunt. Before depositing accidental death traps, we can do more to help wildlife. We can ball up string, or fishing line. We can cut plastic rings so they no longer form complete circles. Better yet, we can recycle many products. Protecting the immediate environment is a cool way to teach and take responsibility.