The full fury of Typhoon Ompong will be felt today as the country joins the world in observing International Coastal Cleanup Day. The importance of this special day, with the activities in the Philippines moved to Sept. 22 because of Ompong, is certain to linger beyond Sept. 15 as the storm surge and strong waves spawned by the typhoon are sure to wash ashore garbage dumped indiscriminately into the sea.
Garbage, notably non-biodegradable waste, has damaged reefs and killed various forms of marine life. Ocean pollution is also reducing the global fish catch, threatening livelihoods and food security in communities that are dependent on small-scale fishing in shallower municipal waters. Ocean pollution aggravates the impact of global warming on national food security.
Pollution is also bad for tourism. The Philippine government has taken the drastic and extraordinary step of shutting down Boracay Island at the peak of the travel season this year to fix its inadequate sewerage system, preserve the pristine state of its beaches and promote sustainable tourism.
There are many other areas across the country and in other parts of the globe, however, where beaches and seas need saving from pollution. In this mission, governments can only do so much. The responsibility for saving the oceans and coastal areas ultimately rests on individuals.
Started 30 years ago in the US state of Texas with around 2,800 volunteers, Coastal Cleanup Day is now observed in some 100 countries. With the cleanup postponed for a week in the Philippines because of Ompong, there is still time to register as a volunteer for activities on Sept. 22. Beyond observing a special day, however, the cleanup should inspire sustainable actions to prevent garbage from ending up in the oceans. Coastal Cleanup Day also serves to raise awareness that each of us is a custodian of the planet.