World Oceans Day: DIY Ocean Diroma

By Andrew Jacobs
Jun 2, 2014

World Oceans Day: DIY Ocean Diroma

World Oceans Day is celebrated every year on June 8th. It spreads awareness about how we unknowingly harm oceans and teaches us ways to protect them. World Oceans Day participants are also encouraged to make a two year commitment to partake in behavior that compliments oceans around the world. You can also wear the color blue and tell at least one person you know two facts about the preserving the ocean. But first let's learn what behavior hurts oceans.

So how am I harming the ocean?

Unfortunately, we all must take responsibility for the damage oceans are currently experiencing. Mistreating the ocean goes farther than the last time you went to the beach and threw your lunch in (though that is a part of the issue).

Plastic in Oceans

turtle

Sadly for our dear oceans, 90% of plastic floats on their exterior containing "46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile". Whether we are using garbage bags, containers, or packaging for other items, these materials are killing marine vertebrates. It takes a total of five hundred to one thousand years to break down. Hence "over 100,000 marine mammals and one million seabirds die each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic". Yikes! However those aren't the only animals endanger, they all are.

To reduce the alarming numbers of plastic in the ocean, purchase items that do not use plastic for its packaging. Use milk cartons instead of plastic jugs. Recycle plastic that you already have in your household and find ways to re-purpose them.

Carbon Emissions

light switch

Our every day activities disrupt the ocean whether we are using water or not. The more we burn fossil fuels for our cars, turn the lights on in our homes, charge our phones, or travel on airplanes produces carbon emissions. This also causes global warming which results with oceans becoming more acidic.

Try riding your bike to work rather than driving your car. If you are too far from your job to ride your bike then car pool or take public transportation. Purchase eco friendly light bulbs.

Fish Consumption

no fish

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has found that if we do not decrease current fishing rates that they will cease to exist by 2050. That cannot happen! I will lose my mind if I can't get my salmon and shrimp. So how can we save our marine life? We've got to limit our intake and be conscious of where we are buying it from. Check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch to learn where it is safe to consume your fish. I searched the best places to get salmon.

Have I guilted you enough to want to protect the ocean? Good! Now for the fun part...

How to make an Ocean Diorama

Celebrate with your kids by informing them on why it is important to treat oceans with kindness and consideration. Then create an ocean diorama as a constant reminder that you all have made a commitment to protecting the ocean.

What You'll Need

Cardstock Paper

Paper plates

Paper bowl

Scissors

Glue stick

Tape

Hole puncher

Box Cutter

Ruler

Step #1

This step is for you mom and dad! Use a ruler to measure about 2 inches to make a frame and cut the box of your choice with a box cutter. You may use scissors as an alternative.

Cutting open fan box

Step #2

Now the kids can help by gluing blue paper inside for the background. Glue sticks tend to be less messy and dry quicker :)

Don't forget to glue blue paper around the frame of your box too!

Step #3

Make your first fish. Draw a triangle at the edge of the paper plate. You can use a ruler or free hand this one.

Step #4

Glue orange paper onto the paper plate. We're making a clown fish, does Nemo ring a bell?

Step #5

Now flip the paper plate over and cut the orange paper out

Step #6

Use the cut out as the tail and glue the remaining orange paper to cover it. Help your kids get creative by giving your little fishy some eyes, black stripes, and whatever else you think he needs!