1000 Flowers for the Planet - #352 Fight Against Sea Dumping
In 1972 it was agreed amongst a number of nations that sea
dumping was not acceptable. Unfortunately the London Convention was not
particularly broad and only covers deliberate disposal at sea of wastes from
vessels, aircraft and platforms. It does not cover the disposal of waste from
land using pipes and outfills, and there are a large number of countries around
the world who control none of these things. Judging from the state of the
oceans these days, one could be forgiven for thinking the convention hasn’t
been all that successful.
The Great Barrier Reef has been under threat recently, with
large ports and shipping lanes planned for the area, including dredging and
dumping that could cause long term damage to the reef. There has been
opposition to this dumping that may still be avoided. Check out www.fightforthereef.org for more information.
Surprisingly (and horrifyingly), the dumping of nuclear
waste into the ocean was legal prior to the early 1970s, when it became
‘regulated’ (whatever that means). Yet still, radioactive waste, toxic waste,
sewer sludge, chemical waste from factories and a huge amount of contaminated
dredging waste containing heavy metals is dumped into the oceans, often
illegally, but does the legality even matter anymore? The fact that pollutants
are dumped into the ocean is one that should concern every human and every
nation. The health of the oceans and our waterways determines our own health as
toxins find their way from the bottom of the food chain into our own diets.
The ocean is not a giant disposal unit. It is not that magic
place many people like to think exists, called ‘away’. When things disappear
beneath the waves they don’t disappear altogether – they still exist, and
they’ll find their way back to you one way or another. So take an interest in
your health by taking an interest in the health of the oceans and participate
in the fight against sea dumping.
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