The Growing Concern Of Beach Population

Our earth is filled with many beautiful and unique natural treasures. As
human beings, we tend to take for granted the breathtaking beauty of nature. We
forget that our ecosystems are very delicate and if we destroy it, it might never
recover. Our beaches are one of the most popular sites that we enjoy visiting.
Beaches are defined as "the sandy, pebbly, or rocky shore of a body of water. " We
use our beaches for recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, sunbathing,
walking, playing sports, picnics, and much more. It's our go to place for certain
holidays, vacationing, or just to spend time with family and friends. It's safe to say
that we love the beach. There's just one big problem, we are destroying it just as
we humans seem to do with many wonderful things our Earth has provided us.
Beach pollution is a real thing and it's not only causing harm to the environment,
but to marine life as well. This contamination is destroying beach habitat used by
plants and animals. Pollution is defined as "any destructive or potentially
destructive material that is introduced into the environment." Some of the causes
for beach pollution are sewage, plastic, litter/garbage, stormwater runoff, and oil.
Sewage in the ocean can be caused by a leak, this is known as Combined Sewer
Overflow. This can happen when there has been a big storm causing snow or heavy
rainfall to exceed the amount of wastewater in a sewer system or treatment plant.
Sewage in our beaches is not only disgusting, but it causes bacteria that can be
harmful to us and to marine life. Plastic pollution is one of the worst things for our
beaches. From beauty and hygiene products to straws, plastic bags, and bottles,
Microplastics sit in the water collecting toxins and being ingested by fish, humans,
and birds. Plastic also contains different toxic chemicals that harm the beach
ecosystem, this also includes litter/garbage. Littering can cause the waste to be
washed off into the ocean causing even more water pollution. Stormwater is
polluted water that "flows over land or impervious surfaces like paved streets,
parking lots, and building roof- tops, it picks up trash, chemicals, sediment, and
other pollutants such as gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides and
pet waste). " This water flows to lakes, rivers and oceans causing harm to animals
and plants. Lastly, oil in our oceans are caused by offshore drilling, illegal
dumping, ships, and aircrafts. Most of the oils in the ocean float causing the most
harm to animals that are found on the sea surface or shoreline. All of these causes
are affecting our environment causing climate change.
 As it stands now, beach pollution keeps happening and it will take a lot of
work from everyone to fix it. Beaches are in danger due to climate change with the
sea levels rising and it's affecting our coastal regions and oceans. According to
National Geographic, "By the end of the century, chronic flooding will be
occurring from Maine to Texas and along parts of the West Coast. It will affect as
11 many as 670 coastal communities. "Projections made by the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's is said that by 2060 there will be
a 2-foot sea level rise and by 2100 there will more than 6 feet. If our beaches
become inundated because of sea level rising, then that puts everyone living along
the coastlines and sea animals at risk. This will inevitably lead to major
economically consequences and the places we "love" will no longer be there and
that will be our fault. We have to change our habits in order for our beaches to
survive. There are a lot of simple ways to help clean our beaches that we can do to
make a difference. To begin with, knowing how to recycle properly will help
reduce the amount of plastic going in the ocean. It's a simple Google search if one
does not know what needs to be recycled. Also, checking with the local recycling
center can help answer some questions one might have. Another way to help our
beaches and oceans is by getting involved in beach cleanups. There are many
organizations out there dedicated to beach and ocean cleanups. This a great way to
help maintain our beaches and promote healthy marine life. Other little changes to
help our oceans and beaches can be done by avoiding products that contain
microbeads (exfoliants) for example, body washes, toothpaste, and face scrubs.
This can be done by avoiding "products containing plastic microbeads by looking
for "polythelene" and "polypropylene" on the ingredient labels of your cosmetic
products." There's also websites that contain list of products that contain
microbeads.
Other ways to get involved is by supporting non-profit organizations that are
fighting to reduce and eliminate ocean and beach pollution. A small donation to
these organizations can make a big difference. The biggest thing a person can do is
be aware of the mess you make. Clean up after yourself when you bring items to
the beach, pick up cans or bottles that others leave. Also, staying informed about
these issues and spreading the word to friends and family can help change their
perspective and become part of the solution. These are just a few issues and
solutions that can help maintain our beaches. There are a lot more environmental
issues happening on earth, and alot of these issues can be attacked by our public
being informed on these issues and what the way forward is. It is to the point to
where we need to understand our climate is already changing, we just need push
the urgency of shifting our habits and actually care about how we are treating our
planet. Climate change is a real thing and if we don't do something about it now
then, it might be too late later on. Everything that we once treasured and loved will
disappear before our very eyes. It's time to stand up and make a difference!