Keeping the Ocean by taking Action

Environmental issues are now the number one priority for governing bodies around the world with concerns about global warming dominating the international headlines. Over the last few years heads of states right down to the man on the street have became more and more aware of the damage we are causing to planet earth.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes and Tsunamis are a constant fear especially as these are events that are controlled than a power greater than man.

Thailand has had its fair share of negative focus affecting tourism in the last couple of years, the Tsunami of course, threats to tourists, the troubled south and the more recent events that seen the departure of Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pattaya however continues to prosper, we know businesses complain that trade is down but there is simply more choice and more competition, more bars more restaurants and a never-ending amount of construction work.

So still they come from all corners of the globe, to sample the delights of Fun City, however due to its rapid expansion it's a bit like trying to keep a child in clothes, as the child keeps on growing the city weaves new fabric to sustain it, the child continues to mature and the city wonders why the clothes it made don't fit anymore.

These accusations should not just be pointed at the authorities, we all bear a responsibility.

Whether you are reading this on holiday, or have chosen to stay in this Land of Smiles, sea of plenty, a tropical paradise….or is it?

When the rain comes everybody complains about the flash flooding they see for their own eyes that the drains can't handle the deluge.

The beaches still leave a lot to be desired and the quality of the water? Well you could run a sink full and there would be more life in there than the whole of China!

One main natural resource is the abundance of seafood that the ocean provides, but a recent study has stated that by the year 2040 seafood will be so contaminated that it will harbour deceases that will deplete its numbers and could in turn, harm us.

However perhaps part of the solution is more immediate than you might think.

Look around the city, everywhere you look you will see people sweeping the streets on the surface it looks like the City workers and private individuals take a pride in their environment.

Rather than depositing the waste into containers, much of it is swept into the drains; look at the amount of building work with the tons of sand being used at dozens of locations around town.

This sand along with the twigs and other debris go through the drain covers tumble into the drain and settle its very much out of sight – out of mind, a problem dealt with, until the rains come and the water erupts out of the drains like a geyser.

On the beaches, again on the surface they look reasonably clean but what lies beneath?

On a recent trip out to a beach just south of Pattaya a man who is fondly known as the Keeper of the Ocean, Gerry Rasmus was doing his daily workout, everyday he 'Waster- Sizes' : bending at the waist to pick up the waste  and get rid of both!

In a space of 2 hours Gerry had pulled out from the water literally hundreds of plastic bags, these had made there way just below the shoreline.

Is this basic neglect, surely a resident wouldn't do this, what about fishermen could it be them, must be the tourist then!

There is only one answer its an animal….its us!

Gerry explained that the plastic bags cause a barrier that stops crabs from feeding; so unable to eat…they die.

Discarded batteries leak their acid into the water.

Another man helping Gerry was Steve Martin (no not that one) he was horrified at the amount of garbage that was coming out of the sea, the sea provides all that delicious fish, prawns, mussels etc.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

What catalyst do we need that makes us, make a change?

Gerry did this work in Hawaii, he stopped smoking gave up Alcohol and is trying to keep fit and do his bit to try and help.

He is not alone in his quest indeed his partner and another man were helping and after the first hour about 10 Thai children came to help.

Looking at the children Steve said that the answer is staring us in the face and that the problem needs to be addressed at its root: Education!

If schools here were to initiate a programme where every lunchtime the children were shown what is recyclable (and therefore of value) and what is not and how it should be disposed with to minimise these problems outlined above.

Our litter has by our own negligence became a killer, a killer to marine life a killer of our standard of living and indeed for many it could be secretly killing our very livelihood.

Only time will tell the injustices that mankind has been responsible.

When we are dead and gone our children and grandchildren will feel the true effects of their ancestors misdemeanours: as temperatures soar, pollution rules and the planet responds.

We could all respond now to quote Herbert Spencer ' The great aim of education is not knowledge but action'.
Paul Strachan