Act to protect our lakes and oceans
This Sunday marks World Oceans Day, when people around the globe recognize the beauty and wonder of our oceans. About 70 percent of the earth's surface is ocean and each system is connected; whether you live along the coast or inland, we are all linked through the world's water. Those precious natural resources help generate the oxygen we breathe, regulate our climate, strengthen our quality of life, and provide refuge for the most fascinating marine life.
As a member of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, I was pleased to work on a blueprint for a brighter future for our beloved world waters. The blueprint was designed to tackle threatening issues such as pollution, overfishing and reef destruction on an international level. Today we have the technology and ingenuity to ensure a safe future for our oceans, but we must do more to protect and preserve them.
On a local level, the commission's blueprint brings attention to the opportunities and challenges that face our inland oceans - the Great Lakes. At Shedd Aquarium we are spreading the word about habitat loss, invasive species, water pollution and Great Lakes water levels with our Listen to Your Lakes program. By educating the public about these looming threats, we can all begin working toward the vision of a healthy future for our Great Lakes. For ways to get involved, visit www.ListentoYourLakes.org.
World Oceans Day is a good reminder that our waterways around the world and in our own backyard need our care and protection to sustain our quality of life well into the future. This Sunday, I challenge the public to take action to get involved with protecting the oceans and the Great Lakes. Enjoy a picnic on the beach and pick up extra garbage as you leave. Contact your local representatives to let them know how important clean drinking water is to you. Or pledge to take a shorter shower, knowing that our water is not limitless. After all, every drop counts.
Ted Beattie
President and CEO
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Chicago