The Ocean Is Our Bloodstream: Why Cleaning Your Drain Could Help Save Humanity?

The ocean is the earth’s blood system it connects us all.

How come it is our blood system and connects us all? Personally, I would suggest you watch Moana 1 and 2 to have a little glimpse into why it is our blood system and connects us all. Just like how the blood is source of nutrients for us all and connects everything and is carrier of everything from our heart to the rest of the body, the same as it does for the earth most importantly for us Pacific Islanders.

The ocean currents and absorption of carbon dioxide help regulate global temperatures and climate. The ocean provides a significant portion of the world’s fish catch, as well as essential resources like food, medicine, and minerals. The Pacific Ocean is crucial for the economies of Pacific Island nations, especially in sectors like tourism, fishing, and maritime transportation. Our culture are deeply connected to the ocean, with traditions centered around navigation, fishing, and resource management. It is link between continents and countries around the world.

Loss blood or blood contamination you would be in very big trouble, the same goes for the Ocean, it produces up to 50% of the earth’s oxygen and unlike you a single person being affected by the own blood, humanity is at a loss.

• The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen.
• The ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
• Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming.

Often I try and ask myself, what role should I play in this? I can’t clean up the ocean, I don’t have scuba gear to be able to plant corals like the experts, I don’t have the time and money to spend to go out into the ocean or go to the beaches to do clean ups, I don’t live near the beaches.

Then I think back to Fiji Red Cross Society’s campaign back in the 2023 to 2024 which is Cleaning the Drain and Save The Fish with branches cleaning up drains. It’s simple initiatives like cleaning your drains or environment that leads to saving the fish. How does this happen? Cleaning your drain or environment stops plastics, microplastics and waste from reaching the oceans through drains, this damages our corals, the marine life and leads to climate change because temperatures cannot be regulated properly.

As World Ocean Day is celebrated with international theme of “Sustaining What Sustains Us”on June 8th, I hope everyone takes the smallest actions in cleaning their compounds and drains so that humanity continues to live.

You can also choose to be part of the work at Fiji Red Cross Society and become a volunteer and be part of great initiatives for humanity.

By Lasarusa Saqusaqu, Marketing, Communications & Events Officer – Fiji Red Cross Society