Tiny but Mighty: Top Tips for Preserving Plankton on World Environment Day 2024
5 June 2024
Did you know that by making some simple changes in our daily lives, we can help to protect the ocean's delicate ecosystems and the plankton that form the base of the marine food web? Let's have a look at how!
Be mindful of your carbon footprint
Microscopic plants called phytoplankton make life on our planet possible. These underwater forests consume carbon dioxide (CO2) and provide us with oxygen, as well as forming the base of the entire ocean food web. Every bit of reduced CO2 emissions helps prevent the buildup of carbon dioxide dissolving into the oceans, which causes acidification that harms marine life like plankton. You could do this by:
- driving less. Could you replace a short journey in the car by walking or cycling?
- turning off your lights at home. When you leave a room, make a habit of turning off the lights. You'll also save money in the long term!
- considering changing to a ‘green’ energy tariff.
Support sustainable seafood.
Choose seafood products that are certified as sustainable and avoid consuming overfished or endangered species. This helps maintain healthy fish populations and protects the broader marine food web that includes plankton. You could do this by:
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looking for the blue MSC label on seafood products. You can also search for MSC certified products on the Marine Stewardship Council website.
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downloading the Ocean Conservation Trust’s ‘Sound Fish’ guide. It's been created to help the people of Plymouth connect with the seafood they eat.
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being an educated consumer and asking in restaurants where the seafood was caught
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varying your seafood choices. This helps the balance of the ocean by taking the pressure of overfished species.
Not sure where to start?
You could try taking just one of these tips and make it a regular part of your day. Making mindful choices in our daily lives that start to become a habit - no matter how small - can collectively make a huge positive impact!
In the coming months, look out for more tips based around the other themes in our exhibition! Find out more about amazing plankton by visiting our 'Planet Ocean' exhibition. It's free and on display until Sunday 23 February 2025.