News
Are you up to the Plastic Challenge?
Plastic is so ingrained in our lives that it has become almost viral and is pervasive in nearly all parts of our planet. It is almost impossible to travel, even to the remotest part of the world and not be confronted by either the use of plastic or the legacy of plastic waste.
It is in our homes and at work, it is present throughout the countryside and wilderness and most frighteningly of all, has now become a substantial part of the marine ecosystem and food chain causing untold deaths and mutations within the marine biosphere.
So, is there a problem? Well really it depends on your point of view. If you live in a little self sustaining micro-bubble, then the answer is no. If however you live in this world as a sentient, caring and rational being then yes, there is a problem and it can only be us that work to rectify it.
We could continue on the plastic waste path and in all probability most people would not even see or hear of the consequences. Plastic in our day to day lives has become so ingrained in the way we live that we don’t even notice it when it litters the pavements of our towns and cities as well as adorn the trees and hedges of our countryside. It has become a common sight on our beaches and coastlines.
So other than being an eyesore, is it really a problem, especially when it is so useful in our daily living. Well, among other issues, it is choking and killing our marine life at an alarming rate. If you take notice, then you will be aware that this plastic toll is exacting a heavy price on the seas each and every year. People used to say that they were worried about leaving an impoverished world for their children and grandchildren, but that thought needs to be updated because the impoverishment is now becoming so rapid that we are seeing the pollution and degradation ourselves each and every year.
So, is there a solution, is there something we can do? Yes, of course there is. Sadly many marine ecosystems are already near beyond saving as plastic has become ingrained in the food chain. But life has an admirable way of holding and coming back if given the chance. We do have the technology and ability to start making things better, we just need the will. For a start we should begin to think local and will soon find that this train of thought will become global. Stop using plastic unnecessarily, be sure to dispose of plastic waste sensibly. Join occasional litter picks in your area. There are so many web sites that tell you how to be conscientious with plastic use. Please have a look at a few and see if you can help make a difference.
Today I was Cc’d an email from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) telling me about one of their initiatives where they are “asking people to give up single-use plastic for a day, a week or the full month to increase awareness about how much we depend on the unnecessary plastics in our lives.” Great! Have a look at their web site. It really will only take a few moments.
To find out how you can get involved, visit www.mcsuk.org/plasticchallenge.
News
Dive Worldwide Announces Bite-Back as its Charity of the Year
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
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